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Syllabus
Do a google search for the 1960s group The Beatles, and you will get back about 285 million results. A google search for Bob Dylan will return 89 million results. A google search for Taylor Swift will return 1.2 billion results. Her 2023 The Eras Tour became the first tour in history to surpass $1 billion in revenue, making it the highest-grossing tour of all time.
Obviously, Taylor Swift has made an impact on American culture. This course will examine what is behind her rise in popularity, and how her lyrics may serve as a mirror for many Americans’ worldview. Apart from analyzing her lyrics, life, and popularity, we will go on a writing journey of our own. First, learning how to write concisely and effectively, and then working on our own songs.
A course that includes some writing may not sound interesting. It may (wrongly) take us back to the drudgery of learning grammar. For this reason, we will read engaging material that will make us want to keep reading. The course intends to inspire you to develop your innate abilities and your learned skills.
By the time our class is over you should be able to:
- Identify topics that lead to a discussion
- Write a clear and concise brief essay
- Identify aspects of American culture found in Taylor Swift’s lyrics
- Articulate your worldview that answers life’s biggest questions
- Appreciate the art of writing
WEEK ONE: (May 28 to June 2)
- Reading: Taylor, pp. 4-56; Zinsser, Introduction, chapters 1,2,3
- Album: Taylor Swift
- Quiz
WEEK TWO (June 3 to June 9)
- Reading: Taylor, pages 57-84; Zinsser, chapters 4,5
- (Album: Fearless)
- Quiz
WEEK THREE (June 10 to June 16)
- Reading: Taylor, pages 85-115; Zinsser, chapters 6,7
- Album: Speak Now
- 300-word essay
- Quiz
WEEK FOUR (June 17 to June 23)
- Reading: Taylor, pages 116-151; Zinsser, chapters 8,9
- Album: Red
- Quiz
WEEK FIVE (June 24 to June 30)
- Reading: Taylor, pages 152-188; Zinsser, chapters 10
- Album: 1989
- Revised Essay
- Quiz
WEEK SIX (July 1 to July 7)
- Reading: Taylor, pages 189-231; Zinsser, chapter 20
- Album: Reputation
- Second 300-word essay
- Album theme due
- Quiz
WEEK SEVEN (July 8 to July 14)
- Reading: Taylor, pages 232-279; Zinsser, chapters 21-22
- Album: Lover
- Lyrics one and two
- Quiz
WEEK EIGHT (July 15 to July 21)
- Reading: Taylor, pages 281-301; Zinsser, chapter 23
- Album: folklore
- Lyrics three and four
- Quiz
WEEK NINE (July 22 to July 28)
- Reading: Taylor, pages 302-339; Zinsser, chapter 24
- Album: evermore
- Quiz
WEEK TEN (July 29 to August 4)
- Reading: three album reviews; Zinsser, chapter 25
- Album: Midnights
- Quiz