When Katie Neale, a sophomore at Gonzaga University, signed up for Economics 201, she expected a traditional exploration of supply and demand, monopolies, and opportunity costs. However, she found herself immersed in an unexpected twist with a curriculum that heavily referenced Taylor Swift's influence on the economy.
This unique approach, coined as "Swiftonomics," has proven to be a powerful and relatable teaching tool, challenging traditional methods and engaging students in a way that resonates with their pop culture experiences.
Swift's Global Economic Influence
Paul Krugman, a distinguished professor of economics at the CUNY Graduate Center, embarked on developing the Swiftonomics curriculum last summer, inspired by the frenzy created by Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. Swift's impact extended globally, causing Ticketmaster's website to crash due to overwhelming demand for concert tickets. The course incorporates 12 economic principles, with Swift seamlessly fitting into eight of them, including monopolies, willingness to pay, and economic impact.
Ryan Herzog, associate professor of economics at Gonzaga, emphasized the unexpected excitement generated by Swift's influence, stating, "Who gets excited about monopolies? Well, Swifties are, all of a sudden, and they got excited because of one person." The incorporation of Taylor Swift as a case study brings real-world relevance to economic concepts that might otherwise seem abstract or uninteresting to students.
Swiftonomics in the Classroom
Krugman, recognizing the need for relatability in economic education, placed the Swiftonomics course materials on Macmillan Learning's primary learning platform, Achieve, allowing professors to access detailed PowerPoint presentations. The curriculum delves into Swift's impact on supply and demand, ticket prices, and monopolies, providing educators with tangible examples that resonate with students. This innovative approach not only captivates the interest of Swift's dedicated fans but also serves as an engaging teaching tool for those less familiar with the pop star.
Solomon Namala, an economics professor at Cerritos College, has successfully implemented Krugman's Swiftonomics course, using Swift's massive fan base to illustrate economic concepts. Namala highlights the importance of bringing in popular culture topics, stating, "Bringing in popular culture topics resonates with students' lived experiences and makes them more comfortable." By connecting economic principles to real-world examples from Swift's global influence, students find the learning environment more approachable and enjoyable.
Swift's Enduring Impact on Education
Taylor Swift has long been a subject of study in college classrooms, with courses at prestigious institutions like Harvard University, Stanford University, Berklee College of Music, and Arizona State University covering various aspects of her career. Krugman and Herzog's Swiftonomics curriculum, however, stands out for its emphasis on Swift's global ubiquity and relatability, making it accessible to a wide range of students.
As Krugman aptly puts it, "Love her or hate her, you know her." The curriculum has transcended traditional expectations, turning what could be a mundane economics class into an exciting exploration of real-world applications. Swift's influence on economics education serves as a testament to the power of incorporating contemporary and relatable examples into academic curricula.
In the realm of economic education, Swiftonomics emerges as a groundbreaking approach, bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world relevance. The success of this curriculum demonstrates the impact of incorporating popular culture icons like Taylor Swift into academic discussions, making complex subjects more engaging and accessible to students. As Swiftonomics continues to capture the enthusiasm of educators and students alike, it highlights the potential for innovative teaching methods that draw inspiration from the dynamic intersections of entertainment and academia.
