Six distinguished campuses & one tall ship, acclaimed professors, and an exceptional summer experience

The Great Books Summer Program is an experience like no other in American education. For over sixteen years, GBSP has gathered exceptional middle and high school students from across the world to read, discuss and debate selections from the greatest works of literature.

Students experience college-level seminars, engage in lively discussion, and enjoy summer fun with other literary-minded students. We offer summer camps at the University of Oxford, Amherst College, Stanford University, Dublin and Beijing. We're excited to announce Great Books Chicago will be at Northwestern University this summer!

Also, new this year is Tales of the Sea: a Tall Ship Adventure that combines the study of maritime literature and lore with living and learning to sail a tall ship on the beautiful coast of Maine.

Why Great Books?

Great Books students say it best! Watch and listen to Great Books students explain what makes the program so special. See more videos.

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Amherst College - Amherst, MA

Experience Great Books at Amherst College. Founded in 1821 and known for its rigorous academic climate, Amherst College is ranked among the top 5 liberal arts colleges in the United States.

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University of Oxford - Oxford, England

Explore the environs that inspired Lewis Carroll, Shakespeare, C.S. Lewis, Dickens and more at Great Books in Oxford. The oldest university in the English speaking world, the University of Oxford was founded in 1096.

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Tales of the Sea: a Tall Ship Adventure

New for 2019! Join a program that marries the study of maritime literature and lore with living and learning to sail on a tall ship off the beautiful coast of Maine.

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Stanford University - Palo Alto, CA

Discuss great books and big ideas on the campus of Stanford University. Stanford opened its doors in 1891 and has been one of the finest and most highly regarded American universities ever since.

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Literary Dublin - Dublin, Ireland

Imagine strolling the same streets as Samuel Beckett, James Joyce, Jonathon Swift, and Oscar Wilde. Join us for a Great Books experience rich with Irish literature, history and storytelling!

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New! Stanford Center - Beijing, China

Discover Stanford's amazing new facility in the heart of Beijing! The culmination of a partnership between Stanford and Peking University, Stanford Center at prestigious Peking is home to the newest Great Books experience.

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Great Books Chicago @ Northwestern University

New for 2019! Discover the beauty of Northwestern University at this one-week Chicago session that takes place on a picturesque, 240-acre campus adjacent to Lake Michigan.

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See Dates for All Campuses & Programs

See our complete schedule of Great Books programs. Includes intermediate programs for students entering grades 6-8 and senior programs for students entering grades 9-12.

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Writer's Workshop

Awaken your creativity, discover your voice, and hone your craft! Work with accomplished writers in an intensive atmosphere in the Great Books Writer's Workshop at Amherst College and Stanford University! Add a week of Great Books at Amherst too!

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What is Shared Inquiry?

Great Books utilizes the Socratic method of teaching by asking questions. Gain valuable critical thinking skills through engaging dialogue-based seminars led by distinguished college professors.

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Special Guest Series

Throughout the summer, Great Books Summer Program welcomes special guests, authors and educators to campus to join our discussion. This series is a major feature of the program...