First-Year Seminar exploring Taylor Swift lyrics highlights passion project

Alison Moore, a lecturer in the UC Davis Writing Center, examines Taylor Swift lyrics in her First-Year Seminar, to demonstrate her longstanding belief that writing is a powerful tool for empowerment.

Her seminar, “Folklore and Fairytales: the Literary Words of Taylor Swift,” launched in spring 2026. The course filled within days, prompting her to expand enrollment so more students could participate.

First-Year Seminar is now accepting proposals for the 2026-27 academic year. Faculty interested in teaching a seminar should submit fall quarter proposals by July 31.

Read more about Moore's seminar in the UC Davis Magazine article.