Maymester
The Maymester programs offered by the Department of English provides undergraduate students the opportunity to explore language and literature during a four-week course commencing at the end of the spring semester in May.
Maymester Zoom Informational Sessions
If you are interested in learning more about the English Maymester programs and would like to hear from the faculty leading the programs Professor Sligar (Studying Narrative: Fairy Tales| ENGL 270g) and Professor Chater (Bookpacking New Orleans | ENGL 352g) (Bookpacking Paris and London | ENGL 352g) view the zoom recordings below.
Bookpacking
This four-unit Maymester course is an exercise in “bookpacking”, an innovative form of literary travel in which novels serve as portals through which to explore regional history and culture. The course takes us to New Orleans and Southern Louisiana, a unique and extraordinary destination formed of a fusion of cultural strands: French, Creole, Cajun, and African-American.
The objective of this Maymester course is to reach a critical understanding of the eclectic nature of New Orleans. It’s not enough to see that New Orleans is different—we intend to understand why it’s different. We might describe New Orleans as wild, transgressive, vibrant, atmospheric, nocturnal, decadent, a ‘party city’—but what explains these particular characteristics? How has the city evolved to become the extraordinary place we know today?
We aim to use novels as guidebooks, steering us through the physical, cultural, and spiritual heart of New Orleans and its environs. This is a unique humanities experiment that will demand an authentic desire to dig deep, open ourselves up to new experiences, test our feelings, and encourage empathetic responses as readers and as travelers. Our goal, over four weeks, is to know New Orleans in the connected way that escapes most tourists, but which all true travelers understand.
Studying Narrative
This course is an immersive literary experience in which students will explore the history of familiar European fairy tales by reading canonical versions in the very places where they were first published. We will discuss these tales from the perspective of narrative studies, an interdisciplinary field that examines narrative structure and the narrative’s role in society.
The key locations for the course will be Paris, France (home of Charles Perrault and Madame d’Aulnoy), and Copenhagen, Denmark (home of Hans Christian Andersen). At each location, we will visit a variety of historic sites, museums, and other destinations to gain insight into how each version of a fairy tale reflects its specific cultural context and the creator’s experience. We will also read contemporary adaptations of fairy tales in order to think critically about what these modern versions might say about our society. Through these discussions, students will develop an understanding of the core topics of narrative theory, including plot, character, story worlds, audience, adaptation, and performance.
Featured Videos and Testimonies
“This has been absolutely one of my favorite, most enjoyable, most enriching, most fun, most you-name-it courses I have taken at USC. I feel I have grown both as a poet and a person, and you can’t put any kind of price on that. If I could take this class again I would. And twice on sunday. And especially if it lasted for a whole semester.”
– Billy
The American Indian Lives Project: Volume 1, Ojibwe Country
The Poet in Paris 2012
Bookpacking Maymester in Louisiana
Student Testimonies
Bookpacking Paris and London (ENGL 352g)
“The Paris/London Bookpacking course was truly special because it let me immerse myself both intellectually and physically in a new world. Instead of just reading books set in distant times and places, I got to walk the streets where those stories unfolded, and stand in the same spaces where history was made. We explored not only the famous landmarks of London and Paris, but also hidden corners filled with fascinating literary and historical ‘Easter Eggs.’ What made it even better was sharing the experience with an incredible group of classmates that I can now call close friends.
Even if you don’t think of yourself as a reader, this class will change that (it rekindled my love for books). And Andrew’s passion for Bookpacking is contagious; his energy and love for teaching make every moment inspiring. This is more than a class—it’s an adventure you’ll never forget.”
— Alejandro Ambite
“The expectations I had for bookpacking London and Paris were greatly surpassed by the experience. This course is profound. The lectures and programmed explorations are methodically linked so that A Tale of Two Cities and Les Miserables come alive before your eyes. I knew I would enjoy the novelties that come from travel: admiring architectural feats, trying unfamiliar foods, learning some history, etc. What revealed itself as an unexpected pleasure was understanding the relevance of classic literature in modern times. Dickens and Hugo express human suffering and purpose in ways that thematically resemble today’s politics and inequality. The acknowledgment of historical repetition is both jarring and enlightening, demonstrating how the past can still act as a guide for the present. It’s beautiful to see history and literature intertwine in bookpacking these two cities. No one is more equipped to teach in such a manner as Professor Chater. He has a devout passion for storytelling that is mesmerizing and (I suspect) a chronic obsession for learning the many perspectives of historical events that foster a deeper and more nuanced understanding. Professor Chater is unparalleled as an educator. I am beyond pleased to have completed my time at USC with this course.”
— Gia Pisano
“If I had to use one word to describe USC’s Bookpacking London and Paris class it would be transformative. The novels alone (Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities and Hugo’s Les Misérables) are packed with profound and controversial themes that could make them hard to approach. However, Professor Chater’s unique and impactful teaching style, along with his deep connection to the novels and the cities we visited, made it easy to grapple with them, all while helping make connections I would have otherwise missed entirely. In fact, the morning lectures were probably my favorite part of the class. The intimacy and friendship you build in such a small group certainly helps foster a genuine sense of openness, and I feel like because of this we could share real personal experiences without fear of judgment as we unpacked these larger-than-life themes. The lectures were of course followed by our afternoon explorations where the city at large became our classroom. This immersion into the culture and history of our stories felt more than just intellectual, but tangible. Becoming so intimately familiar with these stories and unpacking the humanity that they put on display has challenged me to live more consciously. Although it certainly deepened my understanding of history and literature, it also forced me to reflect on who I am and what I stand for, begging the question of where that path will lead. I got to do all of this in great company, in a unique environment, while forging friendships that I hope will last a lifetime. For all of this I am forever grateful for the opportunities that this class, and Professor Chater, have afforded, and truly consider it one of the most meaningful academic experiences of my life.”
— Jake Carew
Bookpacking New Orleans (ENGL 352g)
“I can’t think of any class that I would recommend more. This was one of the experiences that made me so grateful to be a USC student – there’s no other way I would’ve been able to explore these books and places alongside a group of truly incredible people. Through our daily explorations and seminar sessions, my classmates and I learned how to understand new cultures and perspectives, express our ideas thoughtfully, and find common ground to chart a better future. We also got to see literary characters and concepts literally leap off the page while making lifelong memories. This class is perfect for anyone interested in history, literature, or the ways that narratives of the past shape our present, no matter their major or year in school. If you have the chance to take this course, please do!”
— Samantha Ng
“Bookpacking New Orleans was a truly transformative experience. Over the course of 25 days, being immersed in a hub of cultures—both academically and personally—broadened my worldview. Professor Andrew Chater, a true gem at USC, guided us every step of the way and made us feel like we were directing our own movie, one illuminating story at a time. The program not only allowed me to explore Southern Louisiana’s vibrant history, music, and art, but also gave me the chance to engage in meaningful conversations with locals about the struggles and tragedies that shaped the place. It was an unforgettable journey of self-discovery.”
— Irina Harutyunyan
“Spending a month with Professor Chater in Louisiana opened my eyes up to new lenses of examining history and literature, especially the hidden passages of the American South. From quiet strolls through the graceful French architecture to rainy day boat rides encounters with wildlife, I contemplated the interior lives of writers who became my companions rather than abstract figures. During our journey on foot, we came in to close contacts with the cultural significances of New Orleans through nuanced, borderless hybridity in selected books. This is a priceless experience for adventurous and curious students who look forward to being intellectually activated.”
— Luisa Luo
Studying Narrative (ENGL 270)
“Doing a Maymester is a great alternative for those who can’t do a full semester abroad. ENGL270 is particularly great because you get to go to multiple countries! Most Maymesters in other departments only go to one location.”
— Lyndsay Wong
“Experiencing the course ENGL 270 through a study abroad experience was nothing short of phenomenal. Through my time exploring regions such as Paris and Copenhagen, Professor Sligar challenged students like me to see how these environments influenced each authors’ work in real time, connections I would never have been able to make in a classroom setting. It is through this journey I was able to have the privilege to fully experience the community, magic, and beauty of the locations in which these authors grew up, cultures that lay central to each fairy tale we read.”
— Savit Nangia
“Sara Sligar made everybody in the class care about fairy tales in a way that inspired each and every one of us while also teaching the basics of narrative composition and what makes a narrative. The class was engaging and I found myself wanting to go to class every day.”
— Anonymous
“It was an incredibly refreshing experience to come to class wanting to engage with the course material in order to understand the cultural importance of fairy tales in relation to the different locations.”
— Anonymous