Harvard Memorial Church to Organize "Reading Taylor Swift As A Sacred Text" Event
An event titled "Reading Taylor Swift as a Sacred Text" is scheduled to be held at the Harvard Memorial Church, as part of a student program. The event is set for Tuesday evening and is being organized by the Memorial Church Student Program Coordinator & Multifaith Engagement Fellow.
Event Details
The event aims to explore what reading sacred texts can reveal about ourselves and our lives. It invites participants to engage with Taylor Swift's music in a manner that recognizes the significant emotional and spiritual role her work plays in many people's lives. Attendees are encouraged to bring their favorite Taylor Swift song to the event.
According to the event description, the gathering is open to individuals from all religious, ethical, and spiritual backgrounds. The event will employ Lectio Divina, an ancient Christian monastic reading practice. However, the insights gained from this practice will not necessarily be tied to the Christian tradition or be 'religious' in nature. Students are encouraged to bring insights and wisdom from their own lives, traditions, and backgrounds.
Harvard's History with Taylor Swift
Harvard University has a history of expressing admiration for Taylor Swift. In fact, the university offered a class dedicated to the pop star in the previous spring. The class even held an all-night review session for the release of her new album, "The Tortured Poets Department."
Furthermore, the University of Florida's Honors Program offered a course on Swift in the last semester. Additionally, a class at Duke University explored the intersection between Swift and religion, with a focus on Swift and the occult.
Swift and the Occult
The Duke University class, titled "Radical Magic," analyzed why magic and the supernatural are often portrayed as feminine, irrational, and sinister. The class also discussed why Taylor Swift has been accused of practicing witchcraft. The course instructor, Cheryl Spinner, mentioned that her class would examine footage from Swift's Eras Tour and use gender and feminist studies to understand the accusations against Swift.
The class also studied the literacy quality of tarot cards, spells, and incantations. The final project for the students was to create a grimoire or spellbook that records "magical insights and oral traditions that might otherwise be forgotten."
In the past, an entire academic conference was dedicated to Swift, focusing on topics such as gender, capitalism, and feminism.
Bottom Line
The intersection of pop culture and academia is not a new phenomenon. However, the focus on Taylor Swift's work as a subject of academic study and spiritual exploration is a testament to her influence and the impact of her music on people's lives. What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the study of popular music can yield valuable insights into society and individuals? Share your thoughts and this article with your friends. Don't forget to sign up for the Daily Briefing, which is available every day at 6pm.
