Though the majority of Harvard faculty members do not teach during the summer, those that do generally speak positively of the program.

Beyond the obvious financial reward of teaching a third academic term, many cite the diversity of the summer school students as a key incentive.

“There is an interesting mix of Harvard undergraduates, working people, and high school students,” notes Katherine E. Boutry, a lecturer on English and American Literature and Language, who is teaching a writing course this summer.

“The age span in my class is from seventeen to seventy, and it makes for a very rich teaching environment,” says Theo C. Theoharis, who teaches in the extension school and whose comparative literature class on Homer, Dante, and James Joyce is a favorite among summer school students.

Others like the pace of summer school.

“It’s more relaxed,” says Damrosch. “During the year there is constant pressure. In the summer all you do is teach.”

Summer school also gives some instructors the opportunity to teach subjects they might not teach during the year.

“Screenwriting is something I’ve been wanting to teach for a while,” says Boutry, “so I jumped at the opportunity to teach it during the summer.”