Swiftie Culture: Fandom, Identity & Influence

1. Welcome & Icebreaker (10 min)
Activity: “Which Taylor Swift Era Are You?” poll or Padlet board
Goal: Build rapport and introduce the concept of eras and identity

2. Lecture Part 1: Swift’s Career & Fan Evolution (20 min)
Overview of Swift’s musical eras and genre shifts
Rise of the Swiftie fandom: digital spaces, Easter eggs, and fan theories
Swift’s relationship with fans: parasocial dynamics and community building

3. Breakout Discussion 1 (15 min)
Prompt:
How do Swifties differ from other fandoms?
What role does social media play in shaping fan identity and loyalty?

4. Lecture Part 2: Media, Identity & Activism (20 min)
Swift’s public image and media narratives
Feminism, political voice, and social justice
Reputation management and cancel culture

5. Breakout Discussion 2 (15 min)
Prompt:
Has Taylor Swift’s activism changed your perception of her?
How does she balance vulnerability and power in her public persona?

6. Group Share & Wrap-Up Discussion (20 min)
Groups share key insights from breakout rooms
Open Q&A or guided discussion on Swift’s cultural legacy

7. Creative Activity or Reflection (20 min)
Options:
Create a mini “Swiftie Zine” page (Canva or Google Slides)
Write a short reflection: What does being a Swiftie mean to you?
Submit a lyric annotation or fan theory