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ATLANTA— Since 1930, the stories of teenage sleuth Nancy Drew and the mysteries she solves have captivated generations of readers across the globe. These stories have been told not only in books but also through TV shows, movies and even video games.
This spring, students at Georgia State University are immersing themselves in the cultural significance of Nancy Drew through a new course titled “(Re)Reading Nancy Drew: Gender, Culture and Authorship.” The course also offers students a unique opportunity to contribute to a documentary film exploring Nancy Drew’s impact over a century.
The ENGL 4203/8175 course, open to undergraduates all the way to Ph.D. students, is taught by Distinguished University Professor of English Lynée Lewis Gaillet, a lifelong fan and accomplished scholar who has presented her research on Nancy Drew at several conferences.
“As a little girl in Mississippi, I saved my allowance to buy the next edition that would come out. I was fascinated as a girl living in a place where there were not a lot of job opportunities for women,” Gaillet said. “I knew typical occupations of nurses, teachers, childcare and social workers. I also liked the idea of Nancy’s clothes, her boyfriend, her car and that she solved mysteries.”
In the course, students are not reading the Nancy Drew mystery novels as their primary material. Instead, they are examining Nancy Drew’s broader cultural and historical significance, studying themes such as gender issues, authorship and the evolution of the characters. Course activities include visits to in-person and digital archives, participation in Nancy Drew-themed gaming groups and the creation of a Nancy Drew teaching framework that can be adopted at all educational levels.
Gaillet encourages her students to choose research topics that excite them and to take pride in presenting their findings.
“I think this approach will really help them think about research as more than just an assignment for class,” Gaillet said. “My goal is to help students explore research topics they want to continue pursuing even after the semester ends.”
The course also features a collaboration with Boston filmmaker Cathleen O’Connell, who is directing a new 90-minute documentary titled “Nancy Drew: The Case of the American Icon.” The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH)-supported film, which examines the history of Nancy Drew and her enduring significance, is scheduled for release in advance of Nancy Drew’s 100th anniversary in 2030.
Nancy Drew’s influence extends far beyond the books, which have sold 80 million copies and have been translated into 27 different languages. Her legacy as a trailblazing feminist figure has inspired fans who have reached some of the nation’s most prominent leadership roles, including former Supreme Court Justices Sandra Day O’Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, First Ladies Laura Bush and Jill Biden, and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Gaillet said that although the portrayal of Nancy Drew has evolved with each generation, the essence of her character continues to resonate with readers of all backgrounds and ages.
“It’s fascinating that a grandmother, a daughter, a grandchild and a great-grandchild can each form their own connection to Nancy Drew,” Gaillet said.
Gaillet is enthusiastic about the impact this course will have on her students, thanks in part to a mini-grant from Georgia State’s Center for Excellence in Teaching, Learning & Online Education (CETLOE).
The documentary “Nancy Drew: The Case of the American Icon” will be released prior to Nancy Drew’s 100th anniversary and will be revisited as part of the centennial celebration in 2030.
To learn more about the courses and academic programs offered by the Department of English at Georgia State University, visit https://english.gsu.edu/.