Academic Curriculum

Barrett Summer Scholars is still in the process of finalizing the elective courses that will be offered in Summer 2023. The following information and course lists are reflective of Summer 2021. 

These are elective examples from our 2021 summer camp

Barrett Summer Scholars will offer non-college credit courses during the program. Below are examples of the elective and required courses you will take. Students will rank their elective courses when they complete their acceptance portal. Some elective courses may be more popular than others and will have limited space. Course offerings are not final and are subject to change based on instructor availability and participant interest.

11th Grade Virtual Program: June 7 - June 11, 2021 and July 19 - July 26, 2021

All 11th grade participants will take a version of The Human Event, a critical thinking humanities course that is required for all first-year Barrett, the Honors College students. The Human Event is a critical analysis of the great ideas human cultures have had from the beginning of recorded history to the present. This course includes review of various classic and contemporary literature & active participation in class discussions.

All 11th grade participants will also take an elective course of their choosing. Some elective courses may be more popular than others and will have limited space; participants will be placed in one of their top three choices. Course topics for the 2021 program are listed below. Topics are subject to change based on instructor availability. 

10th Grade Virtual Program: June 14 - June 18, 2021 and June 21 - 25, 2021

All 10th grade participants will take a version of The Human Event, a critical thinking humanities course that is required for all first-year Barrett, the Honors College students. The Human Event is a critical analysis of the great ideas human cultures have had from the beginning of recorded history to the present. This course includes review of various classic and contemporary literature & active participation in class discussions.

All 10th grade participants will also take an elective course of their choosing. Some elective courses may be more popular than others and will have limited space; participants will be placed in one of their top three choices. Course topics for the 2021 program are listed below. Topics are subject to change based on instructor availability. 

9th Grade Virtual Program: June 7 - June 11, 2021 and June 14 - 18, 2021

All 9th grade participants will take a version of The Human Event, a critical thinking humanities course that is required for all first-year Barrett, the Honors College students. The Human Event is a critical analysis of the great ideas human cultures have had from the beginning of recorded history to the present. This course includes review of various classic and contemporary literature & active participation in class discussions.

All 9th grade participants will also take an elective course of their choosing. Some elective courses may be more popular than others and will have limited space; participants will be placed in one of their top three choices. Course topics for the 2021 program are listed below. Topics are subject to change based on instructor availability. 

8th Grade Virtual Program: June 7 – June 11, 2021 and June 14 - June 18, 2021

All 8th grade participants will be enrolled in a Critical Thinking course in addition to one of the electives listed below. Students will learn fundamental skills that will enable them to enhance their critical thinking skills. This includes learning how to formulate arguments, identifying fallacious reasoning, and applying these lessons to everyday activities.

All 8th grade participants will also take an elective course of their choosing. Some elective courses may be more popular than others and will have limited space; participants will be placed in one of their top three choices. Course topics for the 2021 program are listed below. Topics are subject to change based on instructor availability.