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.
Hungry Mancs can help themselves to free sandwiches this bank holiday weekend… but there’s a bit of a catch.
You can only get yourself a sandwich if you have one of these particular names.
We’ve been enjoying some absolutely stunning sunshine across Greater Manchester and much of the UK over the past couple of months, and nothing says sunny days more than taking a packed lunch or grabbing a meal deal and taking it to your local park or greenspace for a picnic.
This is why Pret A Manger has decided to make picnics easier for those who are lucky enough to have a certain type of name.
This late May bank holiday weekend, the popular high street coffee shop chain will be dishing out hundreds of free sandwiches across the UK – including here in Manchester – to anyone whose name happens to start with ‘Nic’.
That means people called Nick, Nicholas, Nicola, Nicole, Nico, Nicolette, and plenty of others could be in with a chance of some free feasting over these next couple of days.
You can get FREE sandwiches in Manchester this weekend / Credit: Wikimedia Commons | Supplied
Here in Manchester, it’s the chain’s Portland Street site, just off Piccadilly Gardens, that’s participating in the free giveaway this weekend, and there’ll be 50 sandwiches a day given out, so you’ll need to be quick if your name starts with ‘Nic’ and you’re feeling peckish.
The offer is only limited to Pret’s freshly-made sandwiches, and unfortunately excludes baguettes, wraps, or rye rolls… but free food is better than no food, after all.
All you’ll need to do to grab a freebie is show your ID at the tills of participating stores this Saturday (24 May) to prove your name, and you’ll get to walk out with your lunch in hand, all without having to spend a penny.
Manchester’s Portland Street Pret A Manger will be giving out 50 free sandwiches to ‘Nics’ this Saturday, and they’re on a first-come-first-served basis.
Featured Image – Eaters Collective (via Unsplash)
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BBC needs adventurous Mancs to take part in next series of Race Across the World
Are you a fan of travelling? Got a bit of a competitive streak in your nature? This might just be your calling then.
The BBC is currently casting for the next series of Race Across the World.
The BAFTA-winning hit show is currently airing to thousands of viewers each week, but with the next series now in the works, producers are on the look-out for ‘intrepid duos’ of all ages who reckon they’re ready to take a step into the unknown, and embark on an epic race across land and sea – and that includes Greater Manchester residents.
With applications for the next series of the massively-popular show now open, nomadic Mancs are being encouraged to take part.
On a limited budget and away from the luxuries of modern technology and conveniences, those lucky applicants selected to take part in the next series will get the chance to experience life in some of the world’s most beautiful and remote locations.
BBC is looking for Mancs to take part in next series of Race Across the World / Credit: BBC
Navigating their way across thousands of miles, they’ll travel through spectacular scenery and dynamic cities, visit ancient wonders, learn local customs, and take part in time-honoured traditions.
But, as producers are keen to point out, “the physical journey is only half of the story”.
That’s because, as the contestants take on the challenge of travelling across the world, the greatest thing they’ll discover along the way could actually be about themselves and one another.
Putting out a UK-wide casting call on the BBC website this week, producers Studio Lambert wrote: “We are now accepting applications for the next series of Race Across the World. This experience is open to all, whether you’re a seasoned traveller or total novice.
“We want to hear what undertaking a trip like this would mean to you, and with a cash prize at stake, what lengths you would go to to win.
Applications for the massively-popular show are now open / Credit: BBC
“Maybe you’re looking to change something in your life? Or are keen to share the journey with someone special like a family member, best friend, or someone you’ve lost touch with. You may even have a very personal reason for wanting to travel at this time in your life or explore a particular part of the world.”
Fancy it then?
Applications for the third series of Race Across the World are now open for anyone over 18 years of age, with a deadline date of 6 July 2025, and you can find out more information and apply via the BBC website.
Danny Jones -
16th August 2023 
