Three weeks in July: For many high school students, it’s the heart of their summer break and a time to balance fun, rest and relaxation.
However, for a group of ambitious high school seniors enrolled in the Teagle Foundation’s Knowledge for Freedom program at St. Joseph’s University, New York’s Brooklyn Campus, it’s an opportunity to delve deep into political philosophy, explore the complex relationship between citizens and the state, and earn three college credits.
SJNY’s unique college preparatory course, “Visions of Community,” explores the relationship between individuals and society through various philosophical lenses. Funded by a $230,000 grant from the Teagle Foundation, the program delivers a holistic college experience, complete with field trips and extracurricular activities that engage students in critical thinking about political and social issues.
Under the guidance of Michael Burke, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy at St. Joseph’s, students gather daily for lessons inside a McEntegart Library classroom.
“I didn’t know much about philosophy before, but reading ‘Antigone’ and learning about Greek philosophy has been really interesting,” said Samiyah Samuels, 17, a rising Bishop Loughlin Memorial High School senior. “It’s a great opportunity to get college credit and get a head start before actually starting college.”
Samuels’ classmate Jimmy Blaise, 16, echoed her sentiments about the program’s educational value.
“We learn from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. every day. It’s a lot of work, but it’s rewarding,” said Blaise, also a rising senior at Bishop Loughlin. “This program has definitely made me think differently and look at things from a new perspective.”
Michael Burke, Ph.D., leads a classroom discussion.
Deajha Britt, 17, appreciates the way Dr. Burke connects philosophical ideas to contemporary issues.
“What I like most about the program is how Dr. Burke explains everything and relates it to the outside world and our society today,” Britt said. “Learning about ancient Greek life and philosophy has been eye-opening.”
Samuels, Blaise and Britt were among the 12 students who participated in this summer’s course — the second year of the program. The Teagle grant will fund a third year of the program next summer.
The course is structured around a blend of classic and contemporary political philosophy texts, including works by Plato, Sophocles, Hobbes, Locke and Rousseau, alongside writings from American thinkers, such as Frederick Douglass and Martin Luther King Jr.
“This is a college prep program designed to get kids used to the idea of college. They have the whole cohort experience, including dorming, attending classes and participating in various activities,” Dr. Burke explained. “We cover a lot of material in three weeks, which helps them adapt to the rigors of college academics.”
(From left) Samiyah Samuels, Jimmy Blaise and Deajha Britt at the Brooklyn Campus.
Incorporated into the course’s rigorous academic schedule are enriching extracurricular activities. Students have taken part in a theatrical trial based on Sophocles’ “Antigone,” a scavenger hunt at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, a walking tour of Brooklyn and a visit to the Bronx Botanical Garden.
Additionally, the class attended the Broadway play “Hadestown.”
“We’re not just preparing them for college; we’re preparing them for life,” he said. “By exploring different visions of community, students gain a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.”
The Teagle Foundation grant was awarded to St. Joseph’s University in collaboration with the community organization Boys Hope Girls Hope.
Deajha Britt
