Scary Stories in American Literature

Harvard Summer School

ENGL S-277

Section 1

CRN 36091

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This course examines short and serialized stories in American literature from the nineteenth century to the present with a focus on the scary story, or those that explore the ghostly, monstrous, and uncanny. What are the methods and theories that critics have used to study horror and the gothic in literature? What are the key features that constitute such tales and how do they elicit a sense of fear and disgust? How and to what effect have these stories engaged with contemporary and historical concerns?

Credits: 4

Term

Summer Term 2026

Part of Term

4-week session

Format

On Campus

Credit Status

Graduate, Noncredit, Undergraduate

Section Status

Open

Instructor Info

Ju Yon Kim, PhD

Patsy Takemoto Mink Professor of English and Harvard College Professor, Harvard University

Meeting Info

MTWTh 12:00pm - 2:30pm (7/13 - 8/6)

Participation Option: On Campus

Deadlines

Last day to register:

Notes

Harvard College students: This course is eligible for degree credit, but see important policy information.

Syllabus

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Tuition

All Sections of this Course

CRN	Section #	Participation Option(s)	Instructor	Section Status	Meets	Term Dates
36091	1	On Campus	Ju Yon Kim	Open	MTWTh 12:00pm - 2:30pm	Jul 13 to Aug 6