Simply because the world of further education is a wonderful world where pretty much anything is possible, you can now take a university course on T-Swizzle herself, Ms Taylor Swift.
Nope, we’re not even remotely joking.
Yes, that’s right, in the same way that you can study things like the world of Harry Potter and Golf Management (whatever that is), people can now sign up for a university course on pop queen Taylor Swift. Now that’s what I call influence.
We regret to inform you that these classes aren’t yet available in the UK as far as we know, but if we know one thing about die-hard Swifties, it’s that they’ll go to extraordinary lengths to express their love for her — maybe even fly to another country just to bask in the knowledge of their favourite artist.
Arizona State University will offer a new course this fall titled “Psychology of Taylor Swift – Advanced Topics of Social Psychology.”
The course teaches advanced topics in social psychology that is featured in Swift’s work, life, and fans including romantic relationships,… pic.twitter.com/Iu1GR8n6zu
Probs be a good way of getting over an ex, to be fair.
Remarking the course as “a ‘swift’ approach to learning psychology”, Arizona State University’s new course, Psychology of Taylor Swift — Advanced Topics of Social Psychology, will draw on themes that feature in her songs as well as a focus on family, friends, fame and more.
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As ASU went on to explain when announcing the new set of classes being taught by PhD student Alexandra Wormley, “The course is basically using Taylor Swift as a semester-long example of different phenomena — gossip, relationships, revenge”.
The graduate teaching assistant rebuffed any suggestions that this is merely an intense exercise in fandom, emphasising that “the class is not a seminar on how much we like or dislike her — we want to be able to learn about psychology.”
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There’s no doubt plenty of people in the world that would find the psychology behind one of the world’s biggest pop stars fascinating. In fact, it turns out this isn’t even the only place offering a course on Taylor Swift — they’re not even the only university to announce one this month. What is happening?…
🎓 | Ghent University introduces a new course on Taylor Swift: “Literature (Taylor's Version).” 🇧🇪
— This in-depth class examines English literature's themes, genres, and techniques (circa 900-1900) through the modern lens of popular music, with a focus on Swift. pic.twitter.com/EFIin9ltQs
As it happens, in addition to a New York college launching a course inspired by the songstress last year, earlier this month another entirely different academic institution over in Belgium also unveiled their new Taylor Swift course which will be taught by a British professor named Elly McCausland.
The course, due to start in autumn this year, will be added to the master’s degree in language and literature at Ghent University and is simply entitled, ‘Literature (Taylor’s Version)’.
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Now that’s just excellent.
Like Wormley, McCausland assured that this is a serious course and will essentially use Swift’s work and own musical form of literature to look at historical texts from a different perspective. It’s even got the Richard Madeley seal of approval — who knew he was a Swiftie?…
Speaking to The Guardian, she said: “What I want to do is show students that although these texts might seem inaccessible, they can be accessible if we look at them from a slightly different angle.
“So, Shakespeare, in some way, is actually addressing a lot of the same questions as Taylor Swift is today, which seems crazy, but he is.”
Explaining the course in even great detail, she told Belgian outlet Het Laaatste Nieuws that there are parallels between Swift and the likes of Sylvia Plath, Geoffrey Chaucer, Charlotte Brontë, as well as various other authors and moments in literary history.
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Right, we’ve heard enough and we’re convinced; we’re about to take a year of work and become even bigger Taylor Swift experts than ever.
Club legend and ex-Manchester United player turned manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjær, has revealed that just three of his former players have been in touch since leaving Old Trafford.
Solskjær was sacked from the role as Man United head coach back in November 2021 after having been given the job permanently following an impressive winning run as interim manager.
The practically perfect start back at the helm of the club – where he starred as the ‘super sub’ during his playing days – was followed by a big slump, and the final decision was ultimately made in the wake of a 4-1 loss to Watford.
However, the ‘Baby-Faced Assassin’s’ popularity among the players and the fans alike was never in question, so it’s come as somewhat of a surprise to many fans that Solskjær has said only a specific trio of United players have got in touch with him since his dream job came to an end.
At least two of the names read out might not surprise fans, as not only was then-club captain Harry Maguire one of his first statement signings, but so was Bruno Fernandes, who now has the armband, and both have remained key players and leadership figures pretty much ever since.
Speaking to BBC Sport on the senior duo, Ole said, “For me, Harry has always been a leader and a fighter”, and never had any doubts about him deputising for him on the pitch, before going on to label both the centre-back and Bruno as “top human beings.”
As for the third, although Victor Lindelöf looks set to leave the club this summer, he’s actually been a long-serving squad member, having joined back in 2017 and been a seemingly popular figure around the dressing room, even if injury problems have sometimes hampered his minutes.
He also went on to discuss other matters regarding the club, including confessing that it’s “hard to watch” United amidst their present struggles, both under previous manager Erik ten Hag and now Ruben Amorim – even with a potential Europa League trophy consolation on the cards.
The retired striker also stated that he found the decision to let midfielder Scott McTominay go more than surprising, especially given the incredible performances he’s put on display since moving to Serie A.
Despite a rocky opening month or so, Manchester’s Co-op Live made the ultimate instant recovery and has now been named the number one arena not just in the UK but all of Europe.
Manc music venues being best in class? Sounds about right.
Yes, even despite some obstacles, delays and early hiccups, Co-op Live‘s debut year as a live music and indoor entertainment venue has seen it beat out the likes of the long-established and iconic O2 in London to take the top spot.
The inaugural 12 months of the arena have not only seen it welcome all manner of music legends, as well as live sporting events such as the UFC and WWE, but the arena welcomed more visitors than any other venue across the continent during that time.
Names to have graced the industry-leading stage so far include Liam Gallagher, Stevie Nicks and Take That; Peter Kay, Elbow, Sabrina Carpenter, Paul McCartney, and so many more.
Commenting on the successful start, Tim Leiweke (CEO and chairman of the Oak View Groupbehind the venue) said: “Our ambition was to bring the world’s best music arena to one of the world’s greatest music cities and we are thrilled with the reaction from fans and artists alike over this past year.
“Co-op Live’s revolutionary acoustics investment has already attracted some of the world’s biggest artists and events to Manchester, with many more to come. And our sustainability commitment will ensure we remain responsible contributors to Manchester and the planet for years to come.
“We believe that amazing venues can transform cities for the better, and Co-op Live has done just that.”
It’s fair to say we’ve had some truly unforgettable nights in there already – and that’s just in the last month alone. Case and point:
With a continued commitment to achieving ‘Net Zero’ status too, the venue’s carbon reduction technologies, solar panels, heat pumps and rainwater harvesting, not to mention the recently refreshed CityLink walking in partnership with the Climate Pledge, are all things we can be proud of.
Bev Craig, Leader of Manchester City Council, went on to add: “We are delighted with the success of Co-op Live’s first year, and to see it taking the top spot off London.
“It shows Manchester is the home of live music in the UK, with Co-op Live bringing so many exclusives from artists like Bruce Springsteen to the city and Oasis playing massive hometown shows this summer – 2025 is going to be one of the biggest ever for our city’s music scene.”
Meanwhile, things are feeling less fortunate at the grassroots end of the spectrum, as the Music Venue Trust is imploring people to get behind a vulnerable Manc music institution.
Danny Jones -
16th August 2023 
