We can all learn a thing or two from Lady Gaga, but I must admit that I was not expecting to hear about a USC "Lady Gaga" course being offered within the university's sociology department.
Professor Mathieu Deflem is a diehard fan of the pop singer and has become fascinated with the way in which the diva rose to her celestial celebrity status. Fully titled the USC "Lady Gaga and the Sociology of Fame" course, these lectures will attract quite the crowd -- and perhaps some extravagant costumes.
Celebrity College Studies
The USC "Lady Gaga" Course Will Teach You About Fame
Trend Themes
1. Celebrity Studies - An emerging trend is the study of famous people as subject matter in higher education courses, offering disruption opportunities for developing new programs merging popular culture and academic subjects.
2. Pop Culture Academia - A rising trend is incorporating elements of popular culture, such as Lady Gaga's fame, into university coursework to better engage and educate students, creating opportunities for the development of classes that engage the young population on much needed skills.
3. Celebrity Licensing - A growing trend is the utilization of celebrity names and images to appeal to a younger generation, creating opportunities for licensing firms, advertising agencies and marketers to explore incorporation of celebrity names into their marketing campaigns and ROI studies.
Industry Implications
1. Higher Education - The higher education industry has an opportunity to develop new programs and diverse curriculum that appeal to students' interests and experiences beyond conventional knowledge areas, such as sociology, politics and media.
2. Entertainment - The entertainment industry can leverage the rising trend of celebrity academia for future business prospects by exploring offering courses or lectures featuring celebrities, based on fan interest to learn more about the celebrities and their lifestyles, driving profits through merchandise and paid online content.
3. Fashion - The fashion industry could capitalize on the growing trend of using celebrities in academia by creating matching fashion lines that connect celebrities to academic topics, driving consumer engagement and expanding their target market reach.