Attention Harry Styles fans – Texas State University plans to offer a course on the English pop superstar next spring.
Louie Dean Valencia, associate professor of digital history, announced the course on Twitter, titled Harry Styles and the Cult of Celebrity: Identity, the Internet, and European Pop Culture.
As noted in the Valencia announcement, the course will focus on the “Watermelon Sugar” singer and European culture to “explore the cultural and political evolution of the modern day celebrity in relation to issues of gender and sexuality, race, class, nation and… Understanding globalism, media, fashion, fan culture, internet culture and consumption.”
The course can also be credited for courses in European or world history, international studies, pop culture, diversity and women’s and gender studies.
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Although the course was initially reserved for honors college students, it will also be available to non-honors students.
Speaking to NBC affiliate KXAN, Valencia described the class as looking at “the history of the last 12 years or so.”
“So it’s as much about Harry Styles as some courses are about The Beatles, and you could take a course like this to learn about, ‘What was the ’60s like?'” Valencia told the outlet.
“This course will give you an idea of issues surrounding globalism, issues surrounding gender, sexuality, race and really trying to peel us apart, how did we become a part of the world we live in today?”
Without a doubt, Valencia said he was a “huge fan” of the musician and began listening to Style’s music during his time with One Direction.
He even visited the star’s hometown of England this summer, to catch one of his recent Love on Tour shows and visit his fashion show.
In another part of the interview, Valencia said he wants the class to really see how much the world has changed in the last 12 years “but also how to put that in historical context through the lens” of Styles and how students can learn from his craft, activism and philosophy, like any great artist.”
The Harry Styles and the Cult of Celebrity: Identity, the Internet, and European Pop Culture course is preparing for Spring 2023.
Students can register from autumn.
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