About
Humanities Enrichment
The humanities encompass a variety of fields including literature, philosophy, history, and art. Some scholars study ancient history while others examine contemporary issues.
Not for credit or grade, Stanford Summer Humanities Institute allows participants to tap into Stanford University's excellence in the humanities and social sciences—exploring texts and ideas at a profound level, writing college-level papers, and communicating complex arguments in their academic writing and discussion sections.
Not for credit or grade, Stanford Summer Humanities Institute allows participants to tap into Stanford University's excellence in the humanities and social sciences—exploring texts and ideas at a profound level, writing college-level papers, and communicating complex arguments in their academic writing and discussion sections.
Intensive Exploration
Participants investigate topics in the humanities that teach them to understand the past, question the present, and imagine the future.
Global Citizenship
Participants from around the world come together as a community of curious, independent thinkers from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives.
Profound Conversations
Throughout the session, participants have the chance to discuss powerful ideas that they are exposed to in lectures, readings, and discussion sections.
Live Online Classes
With small class sizes, our online courses allow students to meaningfully engage in real-time discussions with each other.
2021 Program Dates
Courses will be offered across three sessions this summer. Each session runs for two weeks, with courses meeting Monday–Friday. Please note that students may only attend one course.
Session One
Monday, June 21 – Friday, July 2, 2021
Session Two
Monday, July 12 – Friday, July 23, 2021
Session Three
Monday, July 26 – Friday, August 6, 2021
An Immersive Academic Environment
Courses meet each day (Monday–Friday) for online, live classroom discussion led by Stanford graduate student teaching assistants. A live class period will be held at both 8:00–9:30am and 4:00–5:30pm Pacific Time, and participants will attend just one of the available meeting times.
Real-Time Online Instruction
Course instruction is delivered through on-demand video lectures from a Stanford professor, daily class meetings led by Stanford graduate student teaching assistants, and a one-on-one virtual meeting with the professor.
College-Level Workload
Similar to what they would experience in a college course, students can expect a heavy workload of assignments to work on outside of the live class meeting times. Coursework will include assigned readings, group work, pre-recorded online lectures, and more.
Student Engagement
Active participation in class discussion is key to creating an online community of engaged learners, and students are expected to participate in class and to collaborate with their peers, professors, and teaching assistants.
Impact of the Humanities
Philosophy and the Humanities
With numerous courses offered in philosophy, Stanford Summer Humanities Institute is a unique summer experience for students passionate about the humanities. Hear Professor Christopher Bobonich speak about philosophy.
I’ve become a better writer throughout this process, I’ve been able to learn how to articulate my ideas both, actually, in writing and in speech.
Stanford Summer Humanities Institute Participant
On the Value of the Humanities
Expert Stanford Faculty
Unique among Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies programs, Stanford Summer Humanities Institute courses are all led by Stanford professors. As a leading research university in all fields, Stanford's faculty members in the humanities are among the world's best.
Engaging Student Life
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies seeks to not only provide enriching academic experiences, but also to facilitate engaging learning communities that foster critical thinking, promote personal growth, and inspire lifelong learning outside of the classroom. Outside of the academic coursework, students will have opportunities to engage and build community with their peers through a variety of student life seminars, workshops, and activities.
Build Connections Around the World
Meet participants from other countries while participating in exciting events like orientation, talent shows, student life workshops, and commencement.
Participate in Student Life Workshops
Take a series of student life workshops to complement your academic course, engaging in topics such as health and wellness, leadership, life and career planning, design thinking, cross-cultural communication, and more.
Online Classroom Technology Requirements
Computer
Show
Hide
Participants will need to have daily access to a computer that is capable of running the latest versions of internet browsers, plug-ins, and software. Mobile devices are not recommended.
Internet Connection
Show
Hide
Students must have a reliable broadband internet connection that is robust enough to handle video conferencing with minimal difficulties. Our courses take place in an interactive environment which includes having all students on camera, chat, videos, and presentations. We highly recommend that students use a wired ethernet connection.
Webcam
Show
Hide
Participants should have a webcam to support daily participation in class.
Headphones & Microphone
Show
Hide
If you are using a laptop with a built-in microphone, we recommend that you use headphones during live class sessions to avoid echo or feedback. Using a headset with a microphone will help ensure that you have clear audio when participating in class.
Suitable Learning Environment
Show
Hide
Do your best to choose a comfortable, quiet, distraction-free learning space for the live class meeting times. Keep in mind that the setting should be appropriate for interacting with instructors and fellow students on camera.
One of our hopes was to expose students to big ideas, enduring ideas, ideas about democracy, revolution, social change, to the tools that the humanities have to help us think through those sorts of questions.
Professor Debra Satz
Department of Philosophy, Stanford University
