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Thought to be the first academic lecture on Swift’s 12th studio album, Ross will explore its overarching themes and how it fits into Swift’s evolving poetic universe.<\/p>\n
”The class and the lecture both presume no prior familiarity with Swift’s work – you don’t have to be a Swiftie to take part,” said Ross in a UVic social media post. <\/p>\n
"Our focus is on the lyrics as poetry, and on situating Swift in some centuries-long traditions of poetic practice and pop culture that still have powerful impact today.” <\/p>\n
Ross’s passion for Swift’s work is rooted in her “extraordinary lyricism, clever writing, and deep vein of allusions.” But above all, he says, it’s about having fun – and he hopes his students will too.<\/p>\n
And with the album’s title track containing an Easter Egg treat for Vancouver Island fans – there will be plenty for Ross and his class to explore.<\/p>\n
Last year, Swift ended her 20-month Eras Tour with three sold-out shows at Vancouver’s BC Place, performing to an estimated 160,000 fans – including many Greater Victoria Swifties who made the trip across the water.<\/p>\n
When listening to the new album, those who attended the final show might just hear themselves screaming back at them, as The Life of a Showgirl ends with Swift addressing the cheering Vancouver crowd.<\/p>\n
“That always chokes me up because, it transports me right back to that actual memory of standing on that stage for the last time on that tour that was so important to me,” says the singer, introducing the song on Amazon Music.<\/p>\n