A South Dakota law professor who typically teaches torts and natural resources is turning his attention to Taylor Swift next semester
Rick Ross talks with Professor Moraima « Mo » Ivory during the final night of a Gerogia State University class called Legal Life of Rick Ross in Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Rick Ross talks with Professor Moraima « Mo » Ivory during the final night of a Gerogia State University class called Legal Life of Rick Ross in Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Rick Ross talks with Professor Moraima « Mo » Ivory during the final night of a Gerogia State University class called Legal Life of Rick Ross in Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
Rick Ross talks with Professor Moraima « Mo » Ivory during the final night of a Gerogia State University class called Legal Life of Rick Ross in Atlanta on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. (AP Photo/Ben Gray)
A South Dakota law professor who typically teaches torts and natural resources is turning his attention to Taylor Swift next semester
A South Dakota law professor typically teaches about dense topics like torts and natural resources. But next semester, he and his fearless students are shaking things up by turning their attention to Taylor Swift.
Sean Kammer wanted his legal writing course to draw on music and art to help his students reconsider legal language and craft persuasive arguments. The self-described “Swiftie” thought a focus on the cultural icon was also a way to connect with his students.
Never in his wildest dreams did Kammer expect the attention that the announcement generated — the class filled up quickly and jealous alumni even reached out.
“The reaction from students has been exciting,” he said. “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.”
Swifties at the University of South Dakota Knudson School of Law aren’t the only ones having fun. Law professors across the country are increasingly drawing on popular culture and celebritydom — sometimes with the help of celebrities themselves — to engage a new generation of students and contextualize complicated concepts in the real world.
