Course Schedule and Catalog

Department: College Courses

Meeting: 6:00PM - 6:50PM T (24-AUG-2026 - 4-DEC-2026) 

Part of Term: Full Term - No WL Purge

Grade Mode: Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory

Course Type: Seminar

Language of Instruction: Taught in English

Method of Instruction: Face to Face

Credit Hours: 1

 

Section Max Enrollment: 12

Section Enrolled: 7

Waitlisted: 0 (Max 99) 

Current members of the waitlist have priority for available seats.

Enrollment data as of: 26-APR-2026 9:17AM

 

 

Final Exam: No Final Exam

 

Description: Whether you are a fan or a skeptic, Taylor Swift’s career serves as the ultimate study in artistic reinvention and narrative control. Over the past two decades, Swift has transformed from a teenage Nashville songwriter into a global cultural phenomenon, not just by writing hits, but by masterfully navigating the transition between genres. From the country-pop of her youth to the synth-heavy landscapes of 1989 and the atmospheric indie-folk of folklore, her discography serves as a chronological record of personal and creative growth. In this course, we will explore Swift’s evolution by treating her albums as primary texts. We will decode the history, narrative themes, and lyrical depth of each distinct “Era” to understand how she builds a cohesive universe through her work. Beyond the songs, we will examine her impact on the music industry, specifically through her high-profile battle for her master recordings, a move that redefined artist agency and ownership in the modern age. Ultimately, students will analyze how a single artist can shape global culture and shift industry standards through the power of a single, evolving story.