Taylor Swift's Next Era Will Be A U.C. Berkeley Course

BERKELEY, CA — Taylor Swift's Eras Tour took the nation by storm, drawing huge audiences and impacting local economies.

When Swift played Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, she memorably gave $100,000 bonuses to some 50 truck drivers who had been hauling her gear all over the country. She also reportedly handed out generous bonuses to other crew members.

According to CNN, the tour has generated $2.2 billion in North American ticket sales, and Forbes now estimates her net worth at $1.1 billion. That's a pretty impressive ascent for a 33-year-old entertainer.

Impressive enough that Swift will be the subject of a spring course at U.C. Berkeley's Haas School of Business. Taylor Swift DeCal will examine "Artistry & Entrepreneurship: Taylor's Version."

DeCals are student-led courses that come about after students identify gaps within the current UC Berkeley curriculum and then propose, create and facilitate their own classes.

In this instance, the class will be led by 2023 graduate Crystal Haryanto and sophomore Sofia Lendahl.

According to the syllabus, the course will delve into such topics as:

• What sets Taylor Swift apart and thus helped her break into, and keep her spot in, the music industry?
• Why are people captivated by the Eras Tour?
• Do Taylor Swift’s multiple personas contribute to her social capital and role as a social influencer?
• Given what you know, is Taylor Swift a role model? For whom?

Haryanto and Lendahl invite students to "Join us as we fall down a rabbit hole of what has led to Taylor Swift’s prolific success as a songwriter, businesswoman, and creative influence. As Swift’s ability to connect with listeners is as unparalleled as her effect on the economy and her voice in the industry, there’s something to take away for everyone."

The course will be offered this spring, although the day and time have not been determined. The facilitators warn that enrollment in the class will be first come, fist served.