Enjoy some tunes. - Instructor offers adult education class on Taylor Swift.
Taylor Swift's fans in Basel will have the chance to immerse themselves in her poetic works. Professor Andrew Shields from the University of Basel will host a three-month seminar on the singer's poetry at the Adult Education Center, he confirmed. Shields admires Swift's lyricism, mentioning, "I really like that line." This isn't something he experiences with other artists.
The impressive success of Swift as a global creator is evident. In Germany, "The Tortured Poets Department" album broke records with a staggering 11.5 million streams in just one day, says GfK Entertainment, who handle the official charts. Swift will play her first shows in Germany in years at Gelsenkirchen, Hamburg, and Munich this July.
The "Taylor Swift" Seminar Surge
Linguist and literary expert Shields has previously held a Swift seminar at the University of Basel, which was inundated with interest. Approximately 100 students successfully completed the course by writing a creative final paper. Demand for a seminar outside the university also grew. Other universities have also started hosting their own Swift seminars. Researchers in Liverpool are discussing the "Taylor Swift phenomenon" at a conference.
What Sets Swift Apart?
Swift distinguishes herself in pop music through three aspects: "She tells interesting stories, creates characters with depth, and uses humor," says Shields. Most pop artists just convey clichés in their songs and lack a sense of humor, he points out. "I was there when Madonna became popular," Shields recalls. "I never thought, 'Wow, that's a great line. I have to study it more closely.'"
Swift as a Poet
Is Swift a poet? "Absolutely," Shields, a self-proclaimed lyricist and singer-songwriter, replies. Does she write good poetry? Another "yes." Swift's poetic skills could even earn her a Nobel Prize in Literature, as fellow music legend Bob Dylan did. But, according to Shields, she doesn't need that recognition. He considers himself a "Swiftie," a term used for Swift's fans. Ironically, he actually identifies as a "Deadhead." Deadheads are fans of the US rock band Grateful Dead.
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People from Basel and beyond are excited about the upcoming adult education class on Taylor Swift's poetry, led by Professor Andrew Shields at the University of Basel. The USA pop singer's impact on music and literature is being recognized internationally, as shown by the success of her album in Germany, surpassing 11.5 million streams in one day, according to GfK Entertainment.
Germany is not the only country taking notice of Swift's talent; her poetic works are being studied at various universities, including the University of Basel, where Shields has previously hosted a Swift seminar. The demand for such classes has grown, leading other educational institutions to develop their own Swift-focused programs.
Swift's distinctive style in pop music has caught the attention of experts like Shields, who appreciates her use of interesting stories, deep characters, and humor on tracks like 'The Tortured Poets Department.' This sets her apart from other artists who often rely on clichés and lack a sense of humor.
Shields went so far as to call Swift a "poet," praising her abilities and comparing her to literary legends like Bob Dylan, who also received the Nobel Prize in Literature. Although Swift may not need such recognition, her impact on literature remains significant.
Despite his background as a self-proclaimed lyricist and singer-songwriter, Shields identifies as a "Deadhead," a fan of the US rock band Grateful Dead. It's refreshing to see how widely her influence spans across genres and generations. Swift's music is available for streaming, allowing fans from all over the world, including Switzerland, to enjoy her works.
