Six distinguished campuses, acclaimed professors, and an exceptional summer experience for bright young minds

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, and Trinity College, Dublin. We're especially pleased to return to University of Chicago and Stanford Center at Peking University in Beijing for summer 2018!

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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New! UChicago - Chicago, IL

Join us as we return to the University of Chicago this summer! Consistently ranked among the top universities in the world, UChicago is a birthplace of the Great Books movement. Come enjoy Great Books and a taste of university life.

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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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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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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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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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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 in 2017.

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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...

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Our Blog

Join our digital community. Our blog has monthly features like college admissions advice, book suggestions and Nerd of the Month profiles.