Description
The college campus is a place of tradition, which is fertile ground for the seeds of myth and folklore. Dorm-whispered stories and campus legends told over and over can help those new to the campus form a sense of belonging, but they can have another deeper, sometimes hidden purpose. These campus stories can also be retold to help reinforce behaviors and, in some cases, various forms of oppression from the historical periods from which they originate. These tales have become embedded in campus cultures and organizational mythos for a reason.
Myths, Mysteries, and the Macabre on American Campuses examines topics like campus myths, dormitory ghost stories, and other fun legends that many colleges have. Each chapter not only retells the story but also investigates each tale's role in reinforcing campus culture and its journey from random tale to campus lore.
Includes stories from Baylor University, Clemson University, University of South Carolina, St. Louis University, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, University of Kentucky, Brennau University, Bryn Mawr College, Mount Holyoke College, St. Cloud State University, Western Carolina University, Ohio University, and University of Alabama.
Author: Christopher Broadhurst
Publisher: University of New Orleans Press
Published: 09/22/2026
Pages: 300
Binding Type: Paperback
ISBN13: 9781608014095
ISBN10: 1608014096
BISAC Categories:
- Social Science | Folklore & Mythology
- Social Science | Anthropology | Cultural & Social
- Literary Criticism | Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology
About the Author
Gordon K. Maples is a scholar of higher education, religion, communications, and popular culture. He holds a PhD in Higher Education from North Carolina State University and an MEd in Higher Education Administration from Vanderbilt University's Peabody College of Education.
Christopher Broadhurst is an Associate Professor of Educational Leadership, focusing on higher education, at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. His research has appeared in the Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, Journal of Women and Gender in Higher Education, and the Journal of College and Character.