Mikal Lee’s Post

At any level of the educational system, this approach is useful. I focused on Valiant's song, "Dunce Cheque," this year and tried to relate the lyrics to topics we were covering in class. What ensued was a lively discussion, plus students also emailed me their interpretation of the song and had the motivation to read the book "Scammer's Yard" by Jovan Scott Lewis. If I can get them to read a book, then I have sparked their curiosity. That is the goal of teaching! https://lnkd.in/ei2DMVU7

interesting read

More evidence that the arts and music are ESSENTIAL to a well rounded education.

How many students in the Top 10 of your Class of 2024 were involved in the arts? Were the Val or Sal involved? What about those in the Top 20 percent? How many students involved in the arts have low attendance rates and high rates of disciplinary issues?

New Curriculum Review Terms of Reference describe a broader, representative curriculum that builds on current practice. Explicit reference to more art, music and drama (don't forget dance!) - also states will not place extra strain on existing capacity and resources. https://shorturl.at/DBnrE

As the Australian leg of Taylor Swift’s Eras tour kicks off, there’s no escaping the media frenzy over the star and her music — but also her economic and cultural prowess. Does this mean she also belongs in classrooms? Absolutely, argues University of Sydney professor Liam E Semler. Writing in The Conversation Australia + NZ, he says her music is a form of poetry and should be taught alongside literary greats such as Shakespeare. “If, as teachers of literature, we are too proud to credit Swift’s plainly expressed love of English (regardless of whether we like her songs or not), we are likely missing something. To bluntly rule her out of the English classroom feels more absurd than allowing her in,” he writes. Many academics are already onboard the ‘Swift Express’. Last week the world’s first academic conference dedicated to her — Swiftposium 2024 — was hosted by the University of Melbourne. It attracted 400 submissions from 78 academic institutions worldwide, spanning 60 academic disciplines including musicology, gender studies, economics and law, reports Guardian Australia. “Taylor Swift is in the zeitgeist. From the Super Bowl to her Eras tour. It doesn't matter whether or not you like her music — her impact is proving exponential and influential,” writes marketing and communications professional Hannah Keirl on LinkedIn. Swift has become a burgeoning academic discipline in the US, too, with esteemed colleges Harvard, Stanford and the University of California, Berkeley, all teaching Swift-inspired courses in 2024. The University of Kansas professor Misty Heggeness also created a Taylor Swift curriculum — Swiftynomics 101 — to analyse the star’s effect on the NFL’s business amid the hype over the Super Bow and Swift's support of the Kansas City Chiefs, reports Axios. What do you think? Could tapping into pop culture juggernauts such as Taylor Swift juggernaut offer valuable lessons for students? Comment below. ✍🏼 Cathy Anderson Sources: The Conversation Australia + NZ: https://lnkd.in/dShZixz2 Axios: https://lnkd.in/ghSSf-d5 The New York Times: https://lnkd.in/dgAgR_wq Guardian Australia: https://lnkd.in/dCuWhsWV Hannah Keirl: https://lnkd.in/dMyssw2N

🎓 Excited to share a fresh perspective on curriculum innovation from my alma mater, USF! This fall, University of South Florida is launching a course centered around Taylor Swift's music and its literary and cultural impacts. As a recent marketing graduate, I see a powerful connection between such innovative courses and the engagement and interest they foster among students! The new course, titled "Cultural Studies and Popular Art," not only delves into Swift's music but it will be compared with literary giants like Shakespeare and Dickinson, showcasing a compelling blend of modern pop culture and traditional literature. Why is this important? Courses that resonate with contemporary themes and student interests can significantly enhance engagement and motivation. This, in turn, equips graduates with a nuanced understanding of modern cultural dynamics, an essential skill in fields like marketing. As universities continue to adapt to changing educational needs, integrating relevant cultural studies can provide students with a more holistic and engaging educational experience. This approach not only enriches learning but also prepares students to enter diverse fields with a strong grasp of cultural and media literacy. #GoBulls 🤘 #EducationInnovation #USF #Marketing #Graduate #TaylorSwift #CulturalStudies

Some thoughts on teaching: https://lnkd.in/gQYmrPsi

A Harvard class on Taylor Swift? Here’s why that’s a brilliant idea.   Swift is a serious artist: a prolific songwriter and fearless experimenter. Serious artists merit serious study.   Also, school doesn’t need to be stodgy to be worthwhile. Not even at Harvard University.   Over the years, I’ve incorporated pop music—and writing about pop music—into literature and creative writing classes.     As a teaching tool, pop music is an accessible way to get students fired up about listening, thinking, reading, and writing—essential academic and professional skills.   Pop music—like its cousin, poetry—is a great genre to explore how artists convey meaning and emotion, reflect and challenge culture, and consider the human condition.   And let’s get real: the Taylor Swift course is a great publicity stunt for Harvard.   Big Reputation  + Big Reputation = Big Conversation.   As the pandemic revealed, the value proposition of a college education is not a foregone conclusion (Just ask Scott Galloway).   Like any institution, higher education must adapt with the times—or risk irrelevance.   For example, the Yale University English department 2023-24 course offerings include Queer Modernisms, YA Novels, Fantasy as Drama, and Literary Sound Studies.   A skeptic could argue that any effort to make education more “fun” and less “boring” is a slippery slope to irrelevance.   Maybe.   But as Prof. Stephanie Burt points out: many “classics” that we study in school were popular in their day.   And in my experience, students learn more when they’re having fun.   I’m not saying schools should substitute Swift for Shakespeare or that contemporary culture should replace the classics in classrooms.   But surely students can study both new and old—and everything in between.   How do I enroll? Sign me up. I’m in. Enjoy this? ♻️ Repost to your network and follow me Keith Meatto for more. #work #music #education #writing #taylorswift #marketing #communication #business #harvard #yale