Coursework and Daily Schedule

Get a jump start on college, meet new people, and learn what campus life is all about!
A picture of the Public Speaking and the Career Pathway course.
Live and Learn at IC this summer!

Choose a course in communications, environmental sciences, health, or writing. You will finish the program with new friends, memorable experiences, and three undergraduate credits!

The program runs from Sunday, July 11 through Friday, July 30, 2027.

The application will open in early January.

2027 Course Offerings

Enroll in 1 course, learn how to work with college faculty and earn college credit: all courses are 3 credits!
Course NameFacultyDescription
Disability AwarenessJoanie GroomeAccording to the CDC (2026), 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 6 children in the USA are living with a disability. Despite the high prevalence of disability, there remains a significant lack of education on this topic. The Disability Awareness course addresses a wide spectrum of impairments including developmental disabilities, mental health disorders, other health impairments and sensory processing disorders . Terminology, myths and stereotypes of disability, historical events, media and law will be presented and discussed. Students will engage in activities and discussions considering societal, cultural and aspects of disability that have been barriers to inclusion. Self-advocacy, family perspectives and support services are also explored. Everyone is impacted by disability and this course provides a healthy foundation of disability awareness.
Course NameFacultyDescription
Foundations of Health, Human Performance, and Wellness
 		Eber Beck

This course offers an engaging orientation to health, human performance, and wellness at the individual, group, and population levels. Together we will explore structures and functions of the human body and the influence of contemporary biopsychosocial factors such as cultural background and socioeconomic status. During the course, students will participate in hands-on learning in a variety of campus-based labs and clinics, as well as off-campus field visits. The course also introduces students to the diversity of health, human performance, and wellness professions, as well as the foundations of effectively working on interprofessional health care teams. This course is for anyone interested in health, human performance, and wellness. It would also benefit students considering a major in health studies (e.g., exercise science, kinesiology, nutrition, psychology) and/or a career as a physician, physician assistant, athletic trainer, occupational therapist, physical therapist, etc.

Course NameFacultyDescription
Imaginative WritingKatharyn MachanImaginative Writing will prepare students for college-level creative writing. In a safe, exploratory climate, students will be guided through the basic techniques of crafting personal essays, short stories, and poems, as well as flash fiction and other fantasy fiction. Because good writers are also hungry readers, we’ll look closely at the works of diverse authors for inspiration and learning. Peer workshops will play a large role in this interactive course alongside in-class exercises and homework writing prompts. Work culminates in a reflective final portfolio consisting of 1) at least one personal essay, 2) at least one short story, and 3) at least three poems or hybrid works.
Course NameFacultyDescription
The Media and Me: How the Media Shapes My Sense of Who I AmMarcy Sutherland & Mickey Huff

This course addresses aspects of contemporary media and how it impacts what we value, our sense of who we are, and our place in the world. Grounded by the book, The Media and Me: An Introduction to Critical Media Literacy* , we will examine media ownership, the production and distribution of media, and how power structures and culture shape our own use of media. Students will strengthen their ability to think critically about what they read and watch and will gain the tools and perspectives to become more empowered media users. This course is for anyone interested in becoming a journalist, an educator, a digital influencer, or any professional path where communication and media literacy are key!

* A textbook will be provided for each student

Course NameFacultyDescription
What The Simpsons and Animated TV Shows Say About Religion, Politics, and American CultureChristopher HouseWhat can The Simpsons, South Park, and Family Guy teach us about religion, race, gender, and politics in America? In this course, students become cultural meaning detectives, exploring how animated shows use humor, satire, and storytelling to question how religion is represented in American culture, challenge social norms, and comment on American life. Through analyzing selected episodes and lively discussions, students learn to uncover the underlying messages behind characters like Ned Flanders and Lisa Simpson and examine how television reflects and shapes debates about identity, citizenship, and national belonging. No previous knowledge of religion or The Simpsons is required, just curiosity and a willingness to look beyond the laughs.

“I really enjoyed bonfire nights, movie nights, and a lot of the activities that just encouraged everyone to hangout on the quad or lawn together. There were no activities that weren't enjoyable.”

recent participant

Daily Schedule

Classes are held Monday through Friday. Students engage with faculty and one another regularly during the week, and during social activities after scheduled class periods, in the evenings, and on weekends. Over the weekend, students will enjoy more opportunities to explore Ithaca — including the Farmers Market and Taughannock Falls State Park — as well as to interact with students participating other pre-college programs operating on campus. 

What follows is a general schedule of day-day activities for participants in this program. A final schedule will be shared with participants and families about one week prior to the program start date.

TimeActivity
08:00 - 09:30Breakfast
09:30 - 11:30Class
11:30 - 01:00Lunch
01:00 - 02:30Class
02:30 - 03:30 Optional meetings with faculty, teaching assistants, or downtime
3:30 - 5:30Campus Activity
5:30 - 7:00Dinner
7:00 - 9:00Homework or Social Activity