The Hamilton College Summer Program in Philosophy (HCSPiP) is designed for twenty excellent undergraduate students looking for a creative, exciting, collegial, and engaging two-week experience studying philosophy with other ambitious students. Three concurrent courses, chosen for their innovative pedagogies, will be offered, tentatively June 22 through July 5, 2025:

• Utopias and Dystopias, taught by Prof. Mara Harrell (University of California, San Diego)
• CSI: Philosophy, taught by Prof. Kathryn Petrozzo (Oakland University)
• Conversations in Applied Ethics, taught by Prof. Alex Cain (University of Melbourne)

The HCSPiP will be an exciting and intense philosophical experience. In addition to attending all three classes every day, Monday through Friday, students are expected to prepare for those classes, both before the summer school and during the two weeks they are on campus. In addition to the three courses, the HCSPiP is arranging for at least one visiting speaker, a day trip to the Adirondacks, and a July 4 celebration. To participate actively and take advantage of the opportunity, students must have exceptional intrinsic motivation for philosophical work. No college credit is awarded.

We have room for ten Hamilton College students and ten students from other colleges or universities, typically rising sophomores, juniors or seniors. There is no tuition for the HCSPiP. Room and board will be provided. In addition, students who attend the summer school will receive a $750 HCSPiP scholarship, as well as money for travel.

Unlike other philosophy summer programs, the HCSPiP is designed to explore new ways to teach and learn undergraduate philosophy. This is not a program made to prepare students for graduate work, though many of our students are interested in graduate school and many do go on to study philosophy after college. We are committed to active, student-centered learning and the classes may not feel like ones to which you may have become accustomed!

To apply for the HCSPiP, complete the application by March 17, 2025. In addition to the form (link here), by the same date, please also have an undergraduate transcript (an unofficial copy suffices) and one letter of recommendation from a philosophy teacher sent to hcspip@hamilton.edu. The letter of recommendation should speak in concrete detail to the student’s motivation to study philosophy and their ability to work in a collaborative philosophical environment.

Participants in the program will be selected according to the following criteria:

• Being a rising sophomore, junior, or senior in an undergraduate college;
• Demonstrated ability to participate actively in the program;
• Expressed interest in the specific classes we offer;
• Strength of undergraduate record;
• Ability to diversify our student population.

Applications will be read after the March 17 deadline. We plan to notify applicants of admission decisions by the start of April.