A professor at the University of South Dakota School of Law who typically teaches torts and natural resources is turning his attention to Taylor Swift next semester.
Sean Kammer, a self-described “Swiftie,” wanted his legal writing course to reconsider the way they use legal language in writing and thought a focus on the cultural icon could do that and provide also another way to connect with his students.
Kammer says that never in his wildest dreams did he expect the attention that the announcement generated – which was the class filling up quickly and jealous alumni reaching out to see about getting in..
Kammer calls the reaction from students “exciting,” adding that “If we can have fun while we’re exploring some of these complex theoretical problems or issues, I believe students will be inspired to think deeper and to push themselves further.”
The approach isn’t unique to the University of South Dakota School of Law and the students there aren’t the only ones having fun.
Law professors across the country are increasingly drawing on pop culture to engage a new generation of students and contextualize complicated concepts.
Courses on Taylor Swift, Rick Ross and the tv series Succession – among others – supplement traditional law school courses with fun, accessible experiences that professors say they often didn’t have themselves.