Question Everything: A Summer Philosophy Program
Each summer, Question Everything focuses on questions that are subsumed under a specific theme. Our 2026 theme is “Freedom and Liberty.” Participants will explore questions such as:
- Do all humans have an inalienable right to liberty? (What are inalienable rights? What is liberty?)
- To what kinds of liberty (if any) do we have a right? Are some types of liberty more important than others? For instance, is there a moral right to free expression, and if so, does it have limits?
- Do young children have a right to liberty? Why or why not? Do non-human animals have such a right?
- Are there circumstances under which the government (or someone else) can justifiably take away or limit someone’s liberty? If so, what are these circumstances? Is incarceration ever morally justified? Should prisons be abolished or completely rethought, as some people argue?
- What is free will? Is there a connection between having a right to liberty and having free will?
This program is for rising high school seniors (that is, anyone who will start their senior year in Fall 2026) from Springfield and Holyoke, MA who are curious about life’s big questions and interested in exploring these questions with like-minded peers. You don’t need any prior knowledge of philosophy, and you don’t need a stellar GPA. Applications are open to all, but we especially seek students who are from low-income households and/or will be the first in their families to attend college in the United States.
All admitted applicants automatically receive a full scholarship covering room and board, instruction, and materials. Question Everything is funded by the Teagle Foundation’s Knowledge for Freedom Initiative.
In addition to the summer course, the program will feature a component during the 2025/26 school year to help participants navigate the college application process and continue thinking about big questions.
To get more information, visit the Question Everything website.
On each weekday, we’ll meet from 9am to 4pm, with a 1-hour lunch break. The morning and afternoon sessions will feature a variety of activities. On most days, there will be an interactive presentation by a professor about an interesting issue related to our theme. The remainder of the time, you will engage in discussions, mock trials, role-play activities, and games, all connected to freedom and liberty. You will also acquire skills (such as college-level writing, reading, and oral presentation skills) that will help you succeed in college. Teaching Assistants, who are college students, will help you with your reading and writing assignments. You will also have time to do your own research about an issue that you find particularly intriguing and present your findings to the others.
Aside from helping you discover philosophy, meet like-minded people, and discuss fascinating questions. The program will provide help with the college application/ financial aid process and participants will also be eligible to receive 3 college credits.
Pre-Requisties
- Open to rising 12th graders from Springfield and Holyoke, MA
- No previous experience with philosophy required
Materials
All necessary materials will be provided.
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
- Acquire college-level writing, reading, and oral presentation skills
- Learn about many important questions from Political Philosophy and Metaphysics
- Learn about the college application and financial aid process
Class time is Monday-Friday from 9 am - 4 pm.
|
Time |
Activity |
|
9:00 AM–10:30 AM |
Mock Trial 1: Nonhuman Rights Project v. Lavery |
|
10:30–11:50 AM |
Lesson: Homelessness and Liberty |
|
12:00–1:00 PM |
Lunch Break |
|
1:00–2:50 PM |
Discussion sections: work on video project |
|
3:00–4:00 PM |
College Ready Session |
In the evenings and on weekends resident counselors will run a series of social activities. Students are encouraged to join in, relax and have fun with new friends! With social events on campus and in the surrounding Amherst area, and access to the UMass Recreation & Wellness Center, there's something for everyone to enjoy.
Learn more about student life at UMass Amherst Summer Pre-College
Meet the Faculty
Julia Jorati, Professor, Department of Philosophy
Julia Jorati is Professor of Philosophy at UMass Amherst. She specializes in early modern philosophy with a focus on metaphysics, political philosophy, and ethics. Julia has co-directed and co-taught Question Everything since 2022.
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