2026 Summer Academy

• The PATH Summer Academy will take place during Summer Session II: August 3 - September 5. Click Here to learn more about Summer Session II dates.
• Students will be asked to attend a mandatory orientation (Date to be determined) to receive all their class materials and other program information for the start of the summer.
• The program aims to be accessible and understanding of students' responsibilities outside of the university. Due to this, students get Friday - Sunday free of program activities.
  • In-person Elements:
    • Classes from 9:30-10:30 Monday - Thursday, with mandatory workshops in the morning and other activities at noon.
  • Remote Elements:
    • To be determined.

Name of Class: Phil 165 Freedom, Equity, and the Law

Time: M/W 11:00 AM - 1:50 PM

Location: In-Person - Room number coming soon

Teaching Professor: Rouben Brandt

Description: In this course, we will explore the way in which the concepts of freedom and equality have been understood and applied under the United States Constitution. We will ask whether the Constitution is a moral document designed to implement justice or a document designed to enshrine a particular set of traditions into law. We will then look at how the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment has been applied to cases in which the government has discriminated on the grounds of race, ethnic background, gender, undocumented status, wealth, and sexual orientation.

Name of Class: Phil 148 Philosophy & the Environment 

Time: T/Th 11:00 AM - 1:50 PM

Teaching Professor: Craig Callender

Location: In-Person - Room number coming soon

Class Description: This course explores the philosophical issues that arise in contemporary environmental issues, primarily those connected to the twin crises of our time, climate change and biodiversity loss. We’ll primarily draw on applied ethics, political philosophy, and philosophy of science, covering topics in the following areas: 

• Animal Welfare
• Climate Ethics
• Wilderness, Naturalness, and the Land Ethic
• Conservation in the Anthropocene

• Know Your Rights Presentation with Undocumented Student Services
• Transfer Hub 
• UC San Diego Colleges Info Session
• Writing Hub and Tutoring Services
• Research Opportunities for Students in the Arts and Humanities.
• Tour of Geisel Library
• Counseling and Psychological Services
• The Humanities as a Career Superpower
• Why Studying Black History Matters

• Field trips and hikes to the beach! Every year we take the PATH Summer Academy cohort on a kayaking trip to learn more about the ocean life in San Diego and engage in conversation on how to preserve marine life with Philosophy Professor Craig Callender.
• Study sessions for students to meet with your peers over coffee or lunch.
• Destressing activities focused on mental health like Yoga, crafting and art hour and much more!

• Students accepted into the program are expected to make the needed accommodations with work and other responsibilities to be able to participate fully in the program.
• Attending classes and workshops, in addition to meeting weekly with peer mentor, and completing other required tasks as assigned, are all mandatory elements of the PATH Summer Academy.
• Absences must be communicated in advance with professors for all classes and with program managers for workshops.
• Students are expected to spend an average of 8-12 hours per week on class readings and homework.
•  Following up with all campus and summer session deadlines is all up to the student in order to remain as part of the program for the duration of the Summer Academy and the rest of the academic year. 

• Each student is assigned a peer mentor (a previous PATH transfer student) who they are required to meet with for an hour each week. Peer mentors and students are matched based on major, life experience and personal interests, to help develop rapport and a comfort level between the folks.
• Peer mentors will cover specific content during meet-ups each week (like how to register for classes, find clubs, utilize the student resource centers, etc.) and will share tips and resources not otherwise covered in PATH workshops. They are also in place to provide individualized support, answering questions and checking-in to ensure their mentees are coping well with the program demands and enjoying a positive experience.
• Peer mentors also plan and host a variety of optional social activities, including study sessions, movie and game nights, campus gym meet-ups and more! These activities help students take a break from the academic demands of the program to develop community with their peers, fostering meaningful relationships.

HOUSING:

• On-campus housing will not be provided by the program; however, students who would like to experience campus housing during the summer can learn more about Summer Housing by clicking here.

DINING:

• Students who opt to live on campus will have the choice of various campus meal plans.
• Students will be provided with food for all in-person activities, consisting of lunches and breakfast for morning in-person activities.