Application deadline
15 May 2026
General Pre-College deadline; admission and course enrollment are separate.
In-person Program
Great Trials That Changed History: A Judge's Perspective
Study landmark trials with a retired judge, exploring justice, historical change and persuasive legal arguments through lectures and discussion.
Last verified: 9 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy
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Great Trials That Changed History at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility
Current status
Upcoming
Eligibility
Completing grades 9-12
Age range / Year group
Ages 14-18
Location / Region
Providence, Rhode Island, United States
Cost
$8,372; $6,416
Duration
3 weeks
Format
In-person
HistoryLaw & justicePolitics
Accommodation: Single, double or triple residence hall rooms
Meals: Residential: three daily; commuter: one daily
Certificate / Outcome: Digital CeCertificate of Completion
Campus experience: Libraries, fitness center, activities and excursions
Tutors / faculty: Dennis Curran, retired Superior Court justice
Instructor feedback: Course Performance Report
Sessions / cadence: Monday-Friday, 8:30-11:20 a.m.; 2-3 hours homework/day
Great Trials That Changed History summary
Brown's course examines 17 landmark trials through the perspective of a former trial lawyer and retired judge. The central question is how legal proceedings shape history and whether they achieve justice.
Short lectures and discussion questions connect trial tactics with wider social and political issues. It suits students who enjoy examining competing viewpoints and building persuasive arguments.
What is Great Trials That Changed History: A Judge's Perspective?
Great Trials That Changed History: A Judge's Perspective is a Brown University Pre-College course examining 17 landmark trials and their historical consequences. Taught by a former trial lawyer and retired Massachusetts Superior Court justice, it brings together legal history, advocacy and political analysis.
Students compare the perspectives of witnesses, attorneys, judges and the public while asking whether justice was achieved. The on-campus experience combines short daily lectures with discussion-board questions, encouraging students to evaluate arguments and engage respectfully with different interpretations.
Why Succeed highlights Great Trials That Changed History
A retired judge's perspective connects historical cases with the practical choices made in a courtroom.
The 17-trial scope supports comparison across eras rather than focusing on one famous case.
Explicit outcomes emphasize advocacy, compelling arguments and critical thinking.
A Course Performance Report offers individualized instructor assessment alongside completion recognition.
Who is Great Trials That Changed History for?
Best for
Students considering pre-law or political science, or anyone curious about how courtroom decisions influence history.
Not ideal if
You need college credit or prefer a lightly scheduled summer with little independent work.
Is Great Trials That Changed History worth it?
The course is a strong fit if you want to test an interest in law through specific cases and informed discussion. Its value comes from learning to connect legal arguments with historical context and practicing the reasoning behind persuasive advocacy.
The financial commitment deserves careful comparison with other ways to explore the subject. This is non-credit study, and Brown describes Pre-College as separate from undergraduate admissions recruitment, so the strongest reason to attend is the learning experience itself.
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A practical overview of cost, accommodation, meals, dates and provider details to review before deciding.
Cost and what is included
$8,372; $6,416; includes One three-week course., Residential: residence hall housing and three meals daily., Commuter: one on-campus meal daily., Fitness, athletic and aquatics facility access., Program activities and excursions..
Accommodation
Single, double or triple residence hall rooms
Meals
Residential: three daily; commuter: one daily
Supervision or safety information
Trained residential staff provide nightly check-ins, with staff support on call around the clock. Students have substantial independence outside class and curfew and may travel within Rhode Island without direct supervision.
Provider details
Review the Brown Pre-College Programs provider page and official sources before making a final decision.
Dates and logistics
3 weeks; Providence, Rhode Island, United States.
What to check before committing
Confirm current dates, payment terms, travel arrangements, cancellation rules and what is included with the provider.
Compare this program with similar options before deciding on dates, cost, format and fit.
Compare with similar programsHow much preparation does Great Trials That Changed History need?
Effort level
High.
Best started
Allow four to six weeks before a future application deadline for the essay, grade records and any English testing.
Main challenge
Evaluating contested cases while making clear, well-supported arguments.
Typical preparation
Draft an original application essay that explains your curiosity or reflects on a new experience.
Collect grades from both required academic years and arrange English test results if applicable.
Read about one historical trial and distinguish the legal verdict from its wider social consequences.
Plan study time and family communication before arrival; request accommodations at least three weeks before the course starts.
Useful if
You want to test your interest in pre-law, political science or legal history.
What do students do on Great Trials That Changed History?
You examine landmark trials as both legal proceedings and historical events. Lectures and discussion questions help you compare courtroom tactics, competing perspectives and the meaning of justice.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Learn the circumstances and historical context of each trial through short lectures.
- 2
Compare the viewpoints of witnesses, attorneys, judges and the public.
- 3
Examine effective and ineffective trial tactics and advocacy.
- 4
Respond to discussion questions and engage with classmates' interpretations.
- 5
Evaluate whether justice was achieved and how the trial influenced society.
Great Trials That Changed History dates and deadlines
Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.
Reference date
Programme dates
22 June-10 July 2026
Applications open
14 January 2026
Summer 2026 general Pre-College application cycle.
Final admission decisions
22 May 2026
Final decision notification milestone.
| Milestone | Date | Timezone | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Application deadline | 15 May 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Programme dates | 22 June-10 July 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Applications open | 14 January 2026 | Local | Reference date | |
Final admission decisions | 22 May 2026 | Local | Reference date |
Eligibility and requirements
Completing grades 9-12.
Ages 14-18 by June 14, 2026.
Admission to Brown Pre-College before separate course enrollment.
Strong English-language proficiency.
English test results for applicable international applicants.
Attendance at every class.
How much does Great Trials That Changed History cost?
Residential program fee
$8,372 — Three-week 2026 residential total.
Funding or discounts
- Commuter program fee: $6,416 — Three-week 2026 commuter total.
- Application fee: $80 — Non-refundable; application fee waivers have separate eligibility.
- Enrollment deposit: $500 — Required before course enrollment; cancellation exceptions follow Brown's policy.
- Sibley Scholarships: Need-based assistance — Separate application; awards vary and support one course per year.
- Required insurance: $80 — Applies to international students and U.S. students without qualifying coverage.
What's included
One three-week course., Residential: residence hall housing and three meals daily., Commuter: one on-campus meal daily., Fitness, athletic and aquatics facility access., Program activities and excursions.
How to apply to Great Trials That Changed History
- 1
Create one applicant account through Brown's official Pre-College application page.
- 2
Complete the application form and submit an original 250-500-word essay.
- 3
Upload current and previous academic-year grades and pay the application fee or arrange an eligible waiver.
- 4
Submit English test results if required, plus any recommendation you elect to provide.
- 5
Monitor the student portal for additional requests and your admissions decision.
- 6
After admission, review the course catalog before paying the required deposit.
- 7
Complete the separate enrollment step for this course through the student portal.
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What does Great Trials That Changed History cover?
The program covers the following focus areas.
Landmark trials
Examine 17 trials spanning ancient Athens, Salem and modern criminal cases.
Justice and verdicts
Evaluate whether justice was achieved through each trial and its outcome.
Social and political context
Analyze the wider forces behind trials and their role in historical change.
Trial advocacy
Compare courtroom tactics and practice presenting compelling, reasoned arguments.
Curriculum may be adjusted based on participant interests and current developments.
What is a typical day on Great Trials That Changed History?
A typical day during the program.
Course meetings
Classes meet 8:30-11:20 a.m. Eastern Time, with lectures and discussion.
Independent study
Expect at least two to three hours of homework outside class.
Campus activities
Optional workshops, activities and events fit around academic responsibilities.
Residential check in
Check in with residential staff at 10 p.m. and remain on your floor until 6 a.m.
Who teaches on Great Trials That Changed History?
Dennis Curran is the listed instructor, and the course describes its teacher as a former trial lawyer and retired Massachusetts Superior Court justice. Summer@Brown also provides instructor office hours for questions about course content and assignments.
Where do students stay on Great Trials That Changed History?
Residential plan
- Residence hall rooms: Single, double or triple rooms include college furniture, wireless internet and summer cooling.
- Three daily meals: Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in Brown's all-you-care-to-eat dining halls.
- Residential support: Trained staff provide nightly check-ins and support on call 24/7.
- Campus recreation: Residential fees include fitness, athletic and aquatics facility access.
Non-residential plan
- Day-student option: Commuters attend in person and can use campus study spaces, resources and activities.
- One daily meal: Commuter fees include one on-campus meal daily and fitness facility access.
- Local public transport: Commuters receive free RIPTA access with their Brown ID during the course.
Students may explore Rhode Island independently outside class and curfew; families should agree on a communication plan.
What happens after Great Trials That Changed History?
After completing this program, participants often pursue:
Digital CeCertificate after successful course completion.
Instructor Course Performance Report.
Stronger advocacy and critical thinking for further legal study.
Experience managing college-level academic work independently.
Brown Pre-College is non-credit study and is separate from undergraduate admissions recruitment.
Where does Great Trials That Changed History take place?
The course takes place on Brown University's campus in Providence, Rhode Island. Families coordinate their own travel, while commuter students can use RIPTA public transportation free with their Brown ID during the course.
Great Trials That Changed History FAQs
The course examines 17 landmark trials across history, including Socrates, the Salem trials and modern criminal cases. Students consider trial tactics, whether justice was achieved, and the social and political forces surrounding each case.
The listed instructor is Dennis Curran. The course describes its teacher as a former trial lawyer and retired Massachusetts Superior Court justice.
This is a non-credit course without formal grades. Successful completion leads to a digital CeCertificate, and the three-week course also qualifies for an instructor Course Performance Report.
The listed class meets Monday through Friday from 8:30 to 11:20 a.m. Summer@Brown students should also expect at least two to three hours of homework daily.
Yes. The commuter option includes in-person classes, campus resources and activities, one on-campus meal daily, and fitness facilities. Residential fees include housing and three meals daily.
Students who successfully complete the course receive a digital CeCertificate of Completion. Students completing this three-week in-person course also receive an instructor Course Performance Report.
Trained residential staff provide nightly check-ins, with staff support on call around the clock. Students have substantial independence outside class and curfew and may travel within Rhode Island without direct supervision.
No. Students first apply to Brown Pre-College, then complete a separate course-enrollment step after admission and payment of the required deposit. Admission does not guarantee a seat in a particular course.
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Save this program in Succeed to compare it with similar programs, dates, costs and formats in one place.
Compare with other programsContent reviewed by
Ben Stacy
Co-founder, Succeed | Former secondary teacher and educational leader
Ben works at the intersection of education, technology and school adoption, with expertise in how secondary schools evaluate data-driven tools and how education technology is used in practice.
Sources & verification
Source types reviewed
- Sibley Scholarships | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- CeCertificate Access | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Handbook of Pre-College Policies | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Commuter - Summer@Brown On Campus | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Summer@Brown On Campus | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Financial Policies and Payment Information | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Admissions Decisions | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Application Checklist | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Apply | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- Summer@Brown
- Program Dates and Costs | Pre-College Program | Brown University
- 2026 Program Costs — Breakdown of Fees
- Great Trials That Changed History: A Judge's Perspective - Pre-College Course Catalog"
Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.
What we verified (on 9 Oct 2026)
Course description reviewed
Instructor details reviewed
Application dates compared
Residential and commuter fees matched
Eligibility requirements reviewed
Workload and housing reviewed
Scholarship terms reviewed
Completion recognition reviewed
How Succeed uses this information
We use source material to verify core facts, then show older cycle dates as reference when a current cycle is not available. Always check current application instructions before applying.
Great Trials That Changed History: A Judge's Perspective
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