Samford University Great Ideas Summer Institute

Are you interested in studying history and politics at the college level? Do you want to engage and develop a deeper understanding of American citizenship? Then, the Great Ideas Summer Institute (GISI) at Samford University is for you!

This summer program is a unique week-long academic experience that gives you an opportunity to enjoy the energy of a college classroom, engage ideas that form the essence of American citizenship and develop friendships with other exceptional high school students.

You will discuss the Greek origins of Western politics, Roman understandings of citizenship, the case for the American Revolution, the Federalist and the Anti-Federalist debates and the creation of the United States Constitution. You will also look at conceptions of citizenship through the works of Abraham Lincoln, the 19th Amendment and Justice Thurgood Marshall.

All classes are discussion-oriented and are led by full-time Samford professors. Classes consist of three daily sessions (two in the morning and one in the afternoon).

The 2024 Great Ideas Summer Institute will run June 2–7. Rising juniors and seniors in high school are eligible to apply. We do not have specific educational requirements. However, we do have a limited number of spaces and cannot accept all applicants. Students will be provided housing on campus during their stay.

Apply: https://samford.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_08ulAsa0GVEMbLU
Learn more: https://www.samford.edu/university-fellows/summer-programs