Auckland University of Technology introduces first University Course on Taylor Swift

The new summer school course by AUT aims to analyse Swift’s 18-year career. It will help students to understand and apply the communication theory to Swift’s profession.

Study in New Zealand: Auckland University of Technology (AUT) has introduced a summer school course on Taylor Swift – the global pop icon. The name of the pioneering course is - Taylor Swift: Communications Professional.

The course will be offered by the university’s School of Communication Studies. It will critically analyse the pop icon’s 18-year-old career by applying the lens of modern communications disciplines.

While talking about her mastery of communication which led to her media success, Senior lecturer Rebecca Trelease (Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi) said, “Throughout her career, Taylor Swift has demonstrated excellence in lyrics, music, and a curated image of a pop culture phenomenon,” said Trelease. “What must also be examined is Swift’s prowess as a communications professional, the backbone to curating and maintaining her career in the media.”

Course on Taylor Swift: More Details

The program will commence on November 18 and will conclude on December 13, which coincides with her birthday. The classes will be held three days a week. If it gathers students' interest, the university is also planning to provide this course online for students who are not able to attend in person.

This, one of its kind course, will let students learn the communications theory and apply it to Pop Icon’s body of work. The idea is to offer a unique opportunity for students to understand the communication principles by analyzing her audio and visual content. It will help them to understand the branding strategies of Taylor Swift.

There was an academic conference Swiftposium held in February this year on her global impact which gathered overwhelming interest. It drew great attention from fans and high-school students. This conference was co-funded by AUT and its partner universities in Australia.

“This course is for everyone – from high school students eager for a head start on university study to established professionals looking to expand their knowledge. We’re thrilled to offer a course that reflects the cultural relevance of Taylor Swift while equipping students with the tools to analyse and apply communication strategies in their own careers,” added Trelease.

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