Get ready for a summer of screams.
The Columbia University Summer Session will present Screaming with Eleanor Johnson in summer 2027, a special film series curated by Eleanor Johnson, professor of English and comparative literature at Columbia University.
The series will feature four evenings of classic horror cinema, accompanied by discussions led by Johnson exploring the historical, cultural and political significance of some of the genre's most influential films.
“Columbia Summer offers students an opportunity to explore new interests, engage with leading faculty and experience the intellectual and cultural life of Columbia University,” said Troy Eggers, Dean of the Columbia University School of Professional Studies. “Programs like this film series reflect our commitment to creating learning experiences that extend beyond the classroom.”
From psychological suspense to supernatural terror, the series will examine what makes these films frightening and what they reveal about the societies in which they were created. A particular focus will be the relationship between horror cinema and the women's rights movement of the 1960s and 1970s.
“Part of what was innovative and important about these films is that they all recognized that the monster that women in the 1970s had the most to fear from was not some external supernatural being, but was someone in the domestic space with them already,” Johnson said.
A specialist in medieval literature, horror and feminism, Johnson is the author of “Scream with Me: Horror Films and the Rise of American Feminism” (2025), which explores the connections between iconic horror films and the women's rights movement in America. Her latest book, “Monstrous Bitch: A History of Terrifying Women” (2026), examines the portrayal of frightening women throughout history.
Johnson's interest in the relationship between horror and women's rights was shaped by her experience teaching "Rosemary's Baby" in spring 2022, shortly before a draft of the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade was leaked. The experience inspired her to write "Scream with Me," examining how horror films reflect debates over women's rights and reproductive autonomy.
Beyond exploring the films' historical significance, Johnson hopes the series will encourage audiences to experience horror as a shared cultural event.
"It's good to get together with a group of people, witness a drama. Think about it together. Talk about it together. Talk about how it speaks to our current social, political, and cultural moments," she said.
Open to Columbia Summer visiting students and the broader Columbia community, Screaming with Eleanor Johnson will bring audiences together to explore the social and cultural questions raised by classic horror cinema.
“What you'll leave this series with is a much deeper sense of the relationship between the women's rights movement and the history of American horror cinema,” Johnson said.
“We’re excited to introduce this film series as part of Columbia Summer 2027,” said Annette Bhatia, Associate Dean of Continuing Education at Columbia SPS. “Professor Johnson brings a fascinating perspective to these classic films, connecting horror cinema with important moments in American history. We hope the series will appeal to film enthusiasts and newcomers alike.”
Additional information about the film lineup, screening dates and registration will be announced closer to summer 2027.
Explore the Columbia University Summer Session to learn more about summer courses and visiting student opportunities.
About the Program
Each summer, Columbia University offers hundreds of courses for Columbia students and visiting students from other domestic and international institutions. Summer Session offers the opportunity to study with Columbia’s esteemed faculty, pursue academic interests and advance studies or prepare for graduate school. Focus areas include Culture and History in New York City, Foundations in Pre-Medicine, Public Affairs and Sustainable Futures, and Wall Street Prep: Economics, Finance & Analytics. Learn more about Summer Session at Columbia University.