BOOKPACKING
PARIS AND LONDON

BOOKPACKING PaRIS AND LONDON

The Age of Revolutions explored through classic historical fiction

In this class, students spend a month in Paris and London ‘bookpacking’ two classic historical novels - ‘A Tale of Two Cities’ by Charles Dickens, and ‘Les Misérables’ by Victor Hugo. We seek out the locations of these epic stories, tracing their trajectories - to the guillotine, to the barricades - and we discover how much these tales of Revolution still resonate in our own fractured age.

This is a class about place, people and politics at the intersection of past and present. If you have a passion for literature, for history and for contemporary political thought, this class is for you.

This is a GE-B class. It is co-sponsored by the Department of English and the Department of History, and meets major requirements for English, Narrative Studies and History. It is open to all.

Download the syllabus here.

Join us for an Informational session on Zoom on Friday November 14th 2025, 10am. Link here.

Applications are through the USC Student Travel Abroad portal here. Deadline for applications January 15th 2026.

Testimonials

Alejandro Ambite, Class of 2028 (took the Special Session in 2025):

“The Paris/London Bookpacking course was truly special because it let me immerse myself both intellectually and physically in a new world. Instead of just reading books set in distant times and places, I got to walk the streets where those stories unfolded, and stand in the same spaces where history was made. We explored not only the famous landmarks of London and Paris, but also hidden corners filled with fascinating literary and historical ‘Easter Eggs.’ What made it even better was sharing the experience with an incredible group of classmates that I can now call close friends.

Even if you don’t think of yourself as a reader, this class will change that (it rekindled my love for books). And Andrew’s passion for Bookpacking is contagious; his energy and love for teaching make every moment inspiring. This is more than a class—it’s an adventure you’ll never forget.”

Gia Pisano, Class of 2025 (took the Special Session in 2025):

“The expectations I had for bookpacking London and Paris were greatly surpassed by the experience. This course is profound. The lectures and programmed explorations are methodically linked so that A Tale of Two Cities and Les Miserables come alive before your eyes. I knew I would enjoy the novelties that come from travel: admiring architectural feats, trying unfamiliar foods, learning some history, etc. What revealed itself as an unexpected pleasure was understanding the relevance of classic literature in modern times. Dickens and Hugo express human suffering and purpose in ways that thematically resemble today's politics and inequality. The acknowledgment of historical repetition is both jarring and enlightening, demonstrating how the past can still act as a guide for the present. It's beautiful to see history and literature intertwine in bookpacking these two cities. No one is more equipped to teach in such a manner as Professor Chater. He has a devout passion for storytelling that is mesmerizing and (I suspect) a chronic obsession for learning the many perspectives of historical events that foster a deeper and more nuanced understanding. Professor Chater is unparalleled as an educator. I am beyond pleased to have completed my time at USC with this course.”

Jake Carew, Class of 2026 (took the Special Session in 2025):

“If I had to use one word to describe USC's Bookpacking London and Paris class it would be transformative. The novels alone (Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities and Hugo's Les Misérables) are packed with profound and controversial themes that could make them hard to approach. However, Professor Chater's unique and impactful teaching style, along with his deep connection to the novels and the cities we visited, made it easy to grapple with them, all while helping make connections I would have otherwise missed entirely. In fact, the morning lectures were probably my favorite part of the class. The intimacy and friendship you build in such a small group certainly helps foster a genuine sense of openness, and I feel like because of this we could share real personal experiences without fear of judgment as we unpacked these larger-than-life themes. The lectures were of course followed by our afternoon explorations where the city at large became our classroom. This immersion into the culture and history of our stories felt more than just intellectual, but tangible. Becoming so intimately familiar with these stories and unpacking the humanity that they put on display has challenged me to live more consciously. Although it certainly deepened my understanding of history and literature, it also forced me to reflect on who I am and what I stand for, begging the question of where that path will lead. I got to do all of this in great company, in a unique environment, while forging friendships that I hope will last a lifetime. For all of this I am forever grateful for the opportunities that this class, and Professor Chater, have afforded, and truly consider it one of the most meaningful academic experiences of my life.”

Luna Pappas, Class of 2028 (took the Special Session in 2025):

“This class was an incredible experience! I got to travel and learn so much, experiencing an entirely new culture through the lens of these captivating novels. Professor Chater is truly amazing, kind, engaging and incredibly knowledgeable, it was a joy learning from him. I am truly grateful for this experience and would recommend it to everyone!”