June 27-29, 2025
At the University of Austin, we believe education begins with boldness, inquiry, and a deep commitment to the pursuit of truth. In this immersive pre-college summer program, high school students experience the spirit of UATX firsthand.
Through small seminars, talks, and social activities, students take on rigorous college-level work while building the habits of intellectual courage and lively community that define UATX.
In this course, we will examine major points of tension and synergy between Christianity and science — considering evolution, extraterrestrial intelligence, consciousness, and particulars of the Christian faith. Through open discussion, students will be encouraged to think more deeply about their own beliefs. Readings will include works by Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), Thomas Nagel, David Bentley Hart, John F. Haught, Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, and Bishop Robert Barron.
We will consider the origins and development of moral reasoning, the role of intuitions and emotions in moral considerations, and the cultural and social factors that shape judgments of right and wrong. Students will learn about psychological theories and research on morality, and will have the opportunity to analyze and discuss the polarization of moral views, political correctness, the disconnect between intentions and actions, and why well-meaning people disagree. Readings will include works by Jonathan Haidt, Paul Bloom, and Geoffrey Goodwin.
In this course, we will (i) consider how to write and think in a rigorous manner about issues of sexual politics and (ii) tackle the nuances and intricacies of such issues without resorting to easy or reductive political narratives. Readings will include works by Simone De Beauvoir, Joan Didion, Virginia Woolf, and Zadie Smith.
In this seminar, students will examine the history of Anglo-American grand strategy with an eye toward future global power struggles. Readings will include Walter Russell Mead’s God & Gold and select Wall Street Journal columns.
Students will be encouraged to take a holistic view of the relevant issues including racial affirmative action, reparations for past injustices, and inequalities in the criminal justice system. Readings will include works by Thomas Sowell, Glenn Loury, Brendan O'Flaherty, and Rajiv Sethi.
We will first explore these differences, and then discuss contemporary political debates on the right in light of them. Readings will include works by Edmund Burke, William F. Buckley, Eric Voegelin, Adrian Vermeule, Patrick Deneen, and Rod Dreher.
The course will have lectures and debates focusing on controversial areas; sides will be assigned and students may have to defend positions with which they personally disagree. Readings will include works by Steve Stewart-Williams and various scientific papers.
To answer these questions, we will read a collection of historical works, cultural criticism, and political philosophy. Readings will include works by William Shakespeare, Christopher Lasch, Ivan Illich, and Camille Paglia, as well as selections from the Book of Genesis.
Carlos M. Carvalho is the President of the University of Austin. Prior to that, he was professor of statistics and the La Quinta Centennial Professor of Business in the McCombs School of Business at The University of Texas at Austin. He was also the executive director of the Salem Center for Policy. His research focuses on Bayesian statistics in complex, high-dimensional problems with applications ranging from economics to genetics. Before moving to Texas, Carvalho was part of the faculty at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business. and in 2009, he was awarded The Donald D. Harrington Fellowship by UT Austin. Carvalho received his Ph.D. in statistics from Duke University in 2006. He is from Rio de Janeiro.
Rob Henderson presents his coming-of-age memoir that chronicles his journey from a turbulent childhood to academic success. The memoir explores Henderson’s concept of “luxury beliefs”—ideas championed by the elite that confer social status but often harm the less fortunate.
Of all the American states, Texas is perhaps the best expression of the American idea, and perhaps closest to coming to the original intent of the framing documents of the American republic. Creating this remarkable place was a process. Dr. Donald S. Frazier will present a narrative overview of the Texas experience, and place it in a world, national, and local context.
Vibhav Altekar is Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at Saronic Technologies, where he drives the development of the company's autonomous systems and software architecture. He leads Forward Deployed Engineering, Product, and Special Programs as well as Software, working with cross-disciplinary teams spanning perception, navigation, machine learning, command and control, and systems integration.
The program is at capacity and applications and registration are closed. To join a waitlist, please apply here.
UATX's high school summer program is designed for rising high school juniors and seniors. Exceptions may be made for exceptional candidates who are rising sophomores. Participants must be (i) U.S. citizens or permanent residents and (ii) at least 15 years old before the start of the program to apply.
There is no program, activity, or application fee associated with UATX's high school summer program. Complimentary meals will be provided. Participants are responsible for their travel and lodging, as applicable, and any ancillary expenses.
University of Austin's campus in Austin, Texas. This is a three-day program that runs from Friday, June 27 through Sunday, June 29, 2025.
Because this is not an overnight program, those participants traveling from outside Austin are required to make their own arrangements for lodging. The University of Austin can neither provide housing nor assist with housing requests. The University is not responsible for supervising, chaperoning, or otherwise caring for students, and all participants are required to have adult supervision outside program hours.
UATX's high school summer program is a non-credit program. Students may not earn continuing education credits, credit hours, or a diploma for participation in this enrichment program.
Contact admissions@uaustin.org with questions.