Harvard University's English class dives deep into dissecting Taylor Swift's lyrics and songs

Harvard University students have found a new subject of study, and it's not what you might expect. Instead of dissecting classic literature, they are delving into the world of Taylor Swift.

An Unconventional Class

Stephanie Burt, an English professor at Harvard, is leading the undergraduate course "Taylor Swift and Her World." The class, dedicated entirely to the artist, has students analyzing Ms. Swift's songs alongside the works of renowned poets and writers such as Willa Cather, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, and William Wordsworth.

Swift's Album Debut

About 50 students from the class gathered in a lecture hall on campus to partake in a special event—listening to Taylor Swift's new album. The room buzzed with excitement as the students, including 22-year-old senior Mary Pankowski, prepared for the debut. Mary, studying history of art and architecture, even sported a cream sweatshirt from Ms. Swift’s previous tour.

A Night of Analysis

As the clock struck midnight, the classroom erupted into applause, marking the beginning of an in-depth analysis of the new album. The students first listened to the album in its entirety, absorbing the music without discussion. This marked the start of their journey into the world of Taylor Swift's latest creation.