Spend the summer with Taylor Swift?
A new summer school course offered by AUT’s School of Communication Studies is Australasia’s first university level course studying Taylor Swift.
The class, Taylor Swift: Communications Professional, looks at Swift’s 18-year career through the lens of communications disciplines.
“Throughout her career Taylor Swift has demonstrated excellence in lyrics, music, and a curated image of pop culture phenomenon,” says Senior Lecturer Rebecca Trelease (Te Āti Haunui a Pāpārangi). “What must also be examined, however, is Swift’s prowess as a communications professional, the backbone to curating and maintaining her career in the media.”
Students will learn terminology and theoretical viewpoints to conduct critical media analysis of Swift’s audio/visual content. Students conduct a case study critique into how Swift applies principles of a particular communication discipline to supplement her musical career.
Students will learn terminology and theoretical viewpoints to conduct critical media analysis of Swift’s audio/visual content. Students conduct a case study critique into how Swift applies principles of a particular communication discipline to supplement her musical career.
Trelease says it's an excellent way to see theory put into practice. “Even non-Swifties are aware of Swift’s cultural dominance. She’s undeniably an expert communicator, and by examining her success, summer school students will be able to learn and apply concepts from any of our majors in the Bachelor of Communication Studies: Advertising and Brand Creativity, Digital Communication, Journalism, Public Relations, Radio and Audio Media and Screen Production."
Taylor Swift: Communications Professional follows the huge interest in the Swiftposium, an academic conference examining Swift’s global impact, held in February 2024 to coincide with Swift’s Eras Tour concerts in Melbourne. The Swiftposium was developed and funded by AUT, the University of Melbourne, and Curtin University, in collaboration with RMIT, the University of Sydney and Monash University.
“The Swiftposium brought together academics from around the world to critically examine Swift’s impact. We had huge demand from high-school aged students and fans to be involved, and the reality is Swifties are very adept at identifying and interpreting the meaning and intention of Swift’s body of work. This course gives a chance for all sorts of people, from high school students looking to get an early intro to university study, to established professionals looking to add to their knowledge. We can’t wait to see you on campus.”
The course runs from 18 November to 13 December (Swift’s birthday), with modules three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). If there is sufficient interest, the course could also be offered online, allowing people who can’t make it on to campus a chance to explore communication studies through Taylor Swift.
Learn more and enrol for Taylor Swift: Communications Professional. If you would like to attend online, please contact the School of Communication Studies to indicate your interest to: bcs@aut.ac.nz.