Academic institutions in the U.S. — including Harvard, Stanford and Berkeley — are now offering courses on pop icon Taylor Swift, examining her copyright battles, economic influence, and ascent to legendary status in pop culture.
But not all have embraced the trend of incorporating pop stars into university curriculum. The Citizen Free Press account’s video post on the social platform X, showcasing a CNN report about Harvard‘s course dedicated to Ms. Swift, has elicited mockery.
One critic posting in response said that the “country is lost.” Another said: “Can anyone take Harvard, or any ivy league student serious anymore! I do not! if I encounter one of these, I snicker loudly! Let the rich eat themselves!”
And a third wrote: “This is the future of America??? We are in big-big trouble!!!”
Detractors questioned the legitimacy of Ivy League institutions, voicing concerns over what they perceive as a deviation from traditional educational values. Some social media users scornfully disregarded Ivy League students engaged in these classes as lacking seriousness, with one commentator mockingly dismissing the significance of these academic pursuits.
Others endorsed the inclusion of Taylor Swift-centric studies in academic contexts. A user on X articulated support for Ms. Swift‘s cultural and political stance, suggesting that her influence merits scholarly attention and mocking “right-wingers.”
“Apparently right-wingers are afraid of Taylor Swift these days, so even if you’re not … a huge fan of her music, aren’t you glad she’s on our side and not theirs? I also heard that some university called Harvard is teaching a [whole] course on Taylor Swift so we should probably keep paying attention,” the person wrote on X.
In the video posted on Citizen Free Press, Professor Stephanie Burt, who is teaching the English literature class about Ms. Swift, says: “We’re looking at at Taylor Swift‘s work and career and the works of art around that.”
The video says some 300 students signed up for the class.
“I think the kind of atmosphere in the class is very joyous,” student Mary Catherine Hanafee LaPlante says. “I’m taking it with a couple of friends and the first day when we walked in, we could not stop laughing out of the sheer amazement that we were able to take this class at Harvard for credit.”
Ms. Burt dismisses the notion she’s “brought down the institution.”
“That’s just silly,” she said.
• Washington Times Staff can be reached at 202-636-3000.