Giving up a week of summer vacation to debate classic conundrums of philosophy isn't on a typical high school student's radar, but the participants of this year's Summer Philosophy Institute of Colorado at the University of Colorado at Boulder are tackling philosophical issues through July 19th.
The Institute - now in its ninth year - is an outreach program of the CU-Boulder philosophy department and is sponsored by a grant from the CU Outreach Council and the Office of Community Affairs.
High school sophomores, juniors and seniors are reading and discussing classic and contemporary philosophical problems with guidance from CU-Boulder philosophy professors and graduate students. Sessions at this year's camp include "Just and Unjust Wars," "Introduction to Taoism," "Film and Philosophy," "Feminist Philosophy and Science" and "The Matrix and Philosophy." Contemporary films and literature are used to illustrate the relevance of age-old philosophical questions.
"We have a special interest in exposing culturally diverse and less advantaged groups to philosophy and college options," said camp Director Sheralee Brindell. "Our program will provide them with a taste of the experiences and intellectual challenges available in a university setting, and will also provide specific guidance on how to make advanced education a reality in their lives."
Organizers believe the philosophical issues and methods addressed during the weeklong program spark students' natural love of learning and hone their critical thinking skills. The summer institute also strives to broaden the cultural diversity within the field of philosophy by stoking minority students' interest in the discipline.
Â鶹ÒùÔº pay a fee to attend, covering room and board, classroom materials and organized recreational activities. This year, organizers were pleased to offer several need-based scholarships. Felicia Montano, a 17-year-old from Las Cruces, N.M., is hoping to attend CU-Boulder in 2004 and will be at this year's philosophy camp thanks in part to contributions from the Office of Community Affairs.
"It is our pleasure to help out," said Gail Siegel, director of CU's Office of Community Affairs. "Felicia has shown a great enthusiasm for the program and her transcripts show her to be a budding humanities student," Siegel said.
Â鶹ÒùÔº attend two or three class-and-debate sessions per day during the week. They also will hike in the foothills, take a walk down the Pearl Street Mall and attend a performance at the Colorado Shakespeare Festival on the CU-Boulder campus. Participants also are given free time to explore the university campus and the city.
For more information visit the program Web site at .