Samford University will offer a new week-long academic experience to intellectually ambitious students who have completed at least two years of high school, beginning this summer.  The Samford University Great Ideas Summer Institute, sponsored by the University Fellows Program, will be held on campus June 19-25.

            “Greece, Rome, and the American Republic” will be the theme of the inaugural institute.  It will discuss the Greek origins of western politics, Roman political theory, how the American Revolution utilized ideas from ancient history and philosophy, Federalists and Anti-Federalists debates surrounding constitutionalism, and conceptions of republicanism seen in the works of John Calhoun, Abraham Lincoln and Thurgood Marshall.

            “This week offers an opportunity for intellectually ambitious students to enjoy the energy of a college classroom, engage ideas that form the essence of humane learning, and develop friendships with exceptional high school students from around the country,” said Dr. Jason Wallace of the Samford history department, who directs the program.

            Students will have two morning classes and one afternoon class each day, reside in campus housing and have meals in the university cafeteria.  The schedule also will include visits to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and other Birmingham sites, and time for campus recreation.

            The Institute cost of $395 includes tuition, housing, meals, reading materials and organized activities on and off campus.

            The application deadline is May 1.  For more information, contact Dr. Wallace at wjwallac@samford.edu or 205 726-4178.