Ghosts in Literature and Society: Exploring the Hauntings of Cultural and National Identity

Faculty Advisor: Assistant Professor, Queens University of Charlotte; Ph.D. in Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, University of California, Berkeley

Program Start Time: TBD (meetings will take place for around one hour per week)

Research Program Introduction

Do you believe in ghosts? What if I told you the ghosts we seek do not dwell in haunted mansions but within the pages of books and frames of films? This unique Junior Research Practicum uncovers the spectral presence in literature and cinema, exploring how ghosts reveal the lingering past and its influence on national and cultural identities.

From the colonial echoes in European cities to the Día de los Muertos celebrations in Latin America, participants will investigate the role of ghosts as carriers of history, memory, and transformation. Together, we will question: What defines a ghost in cultural texts? How do hauntings reflect collective identities? To what end do these specters persist, and how do we exorcise—or embrace—them?

Through this program, students will refine their analytical skills, engage deeply with literary and cinematic texts, and craft original research proposals. This journey will culminate in a final project that showcases their ability to interpret the ghostly elements shaping societal narratives.

Assessment Standard & Final Project

Students will start by annotating texts through Google Docs for class discussions. Weekly assignments include analyzing arguments using the "They Say, I Say" method and writing concise think pieces that connect texts with contemporary issues. For the final deliverable, students will develop a 3–5 page research proposal on ghostly themes in literature or film. Alternatively, they may create a creative project, such as a screenplay or artwork, with detailed artist statements.

Possible Topics For Final Project

• How do Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) traditions connect familial pasts to the present?

• What do colonial remnants in European cities reveal about national identity?

• How are ghosts used in literature and film to address collective trauma?

• What role do ghosts play in shaping cultural memory in postcolonial narratives?

• How does haunting serve as a metaphor for unresolved histories in national literature?

• Comparative analysis: Ghosts in Gothic novels versus modern horror films.

Program Detail

• Cohort size: 10 students

• Duration: 12 weeks

• Workload: Around 3 to 4 hours per week (including class and homework time)

• Target students: This program is intended for middle school students (Grades 7–9) who are curious about the role of ghosts in literature, film, and cultural identity. It is an excellent opportunity for students interested in the humanities, critical thinking, and exploring how the past influences the present through creative and analytical lenses.