Harvard Professor Reveals New Course Inspired by Taylor Swift Wedding
Stephanie Burt, an English professor at Harvard University, previously conducted a 200‑student course that explored Taylor Swift’s songwriting. During a recent interview, she explained that the artist’s July 3 wedding at Madison Square Garden could be examined in future classes. Whether the wedding material makes its way into syllabi will hinge on whether Swift references the event in forthcoming music.
Burt noted that Swift’s next studio record is expected to include many allusions to her nuptials. She indicated that the event, which attracted roughly 1,100 guests, would serve as a case study for how personal milestones influence lyrical themes. Students would analyze tracks that address marriage, such as “Love Story,” “Paper Rings,” “Champagne Problems,” and newer songs from the upcoming album.
The professor emphasized that courses will focus on the artistic output rather than the singer’s private life. In past iterations of the course, students examined literary texts alongside music and did not take final examinations. Short assignments guided discussion of fan culture, celebrity influence, and the evolution of a songwriter’s public persona.
Burt has not scheduled a Swift‑themed seminar for the fall semester. She plans to offer one once the new album is released, integrating readings from authors like Willa Cather and James Weldon Johnson to support musical analysis.