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    The History of Activism
    Online Program

    The History of Activism

    by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies

    Study modern social movements through historical research and primary-source analysis, then turn an individual research project into a podcast episode.

    Last verified: 6 Oct 2026Reviewed by:BSBen Stacy

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    The History of Activism at a glance: cost, dates and eligibility

    Current status

    Upcoming

    Eligibility

    Grades 8-11 at application

    Age range / Year group

    Ages 13-17

    Location / Region

    Online

    Cost

    $3,200

    Duration

    2 weeks

    Format

    Online

    Next deadline

    Not announced · Next cycle not announced

    Get next-cycle reminder
    HistoryHumanitiesSocial Sciences
    Sessions / cadence: 10 × 2h, Mon-Fri; homework 2-3h/day
    Main deliverable / output: Research podcast episode
    Time-zone / scheduling model: 8:00-11:00 a.m. PDT window
    Latest verified cycle: 2026
    Academic support: Online office hours

    The History of Activism summary

    A Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes course examining modern activism across different geographic settings, from civil-rights campaigns to movements for peace and resistance to oppression.

    Students interpret primary sources, investigate an individual research question, and produce a podcast episode to communicate their work.

    It suits students who enjoy historical inquiry and want to connect the study of social movements with a concrete creative output.

    What is The History of Activism?

    The History of Activism is an online course within Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes. It examines social and political activism from the late 19th century through the modern era, using an expansive geographic framework. Its focus brings together Humanities, Social Justice, and Social Science.

    Students learn to interpret primary sources using methods employed by professional historians. They examine strategies used in civil-rights, peace, and anti-oppression campaigns before developing an individual research project. A podcast episode turns that research into a piece of public-facing communication.

    Why Succeed highlights The History of Activism

    • Primary-source analysis gives students a practical introduction to how historians build and evaluate arguments.

    • The broad geographic framework encourages comparison across movements rather than concentrating on one national story.

    • An individual research project creates room for students to pursue a question that interests them.

    • The podcast output connects academic research with clear communication for an audience.

    Who is The History of Activism for?

    Best for

    Students interested in history, social justice, and political movements who want to investigate primary sources and communicate their own research.

    Not ideal if

    You want a light, self-paced introduction or cannot protect time for daily live classes and substantial independent work.

    Is The History of Activism worth it?

    This course is worth considering if you want to move from an interest in activism to historical investigation. Its combination of primary-source analysis and an individual podcast project gives the study a clear practical purpose.

    The workload requires consistent attention to both live classes and independent assignments. Judge its value by the research and communication skills you want to develop, rather than expecting participation to secure university admission.

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    Cost and what is included

    $3,200; includes Daily live online classes, Online office hours, Individual research project, Podcast episode production.

    Dates and time commitment

    2 weeks; 10 × 2h, Mon-Fri; homework 2-3h/day.

    Provider details

    Review the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies provider page and official sources before making a final decision.

    What the student gains

    Potential output: Produce a podcast episode showcasing an individual historical research project.. Check whether feedback, certificate, recommendation or application evidence is included.

    Online support and safeguarding

    Check how online sessions are supervised, how mentor communication works, and what support route exists if the student needs help.

    What to check before committing

    Confirm current dates, session schedule, payment terms, cancellation rules, support expectations and what output or certificate is included with the provider.

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    How much preparation does The History of Activism need?

    Effort level

    High for a short summer course.

    Best started

    Allow several weeks before a future application deadline to gather records and select a suitable work sample.

    Main challenge

    Balancing daily historical research with developing a podcast project.

    Typical preparation

    • Gather recent grade reports and transcripts before beginning the application.

    • Choose a work sample that matches the course's application requirements.

    • Write your application responses independently and review them before submission.

    • Plan a daily study routine around the Pacific-time class window and independent assignments.

    Useful if

    You want practice turning historical sources into an independent argument.

    What do students do on The History of Activism?

    You examine the history and strategies of modern activism through live online study and independent assignments. You then apply historical research methods to an individual project and present the work through a podcast episode.

    Step-by-step process

    1. 1

      Study social and political activism from the late 19th century through the modern era.

    2. 2

      Interpret and analyze primary sources using historians' methods.

    3. 3

      Examine campaigns for civil rights, peace, and resistance to oppression.

    4. 4

      Select and develop an individual research project.

    5. 5

      Produce a podcast episode showcasing your research.

    The History of Activism dates and deadlines

    Next cycle not announced yet. These dates are from the latest verified cycle and should be used as a reference only.

    Programme dates

    15-26 June 2026

    Reference date

    Eligibility and requirements

    • Applicants must be in Grades 8-11 when applying.

    • Admitted students may attend only one Summer Institutes course.

    • Standardized test scores are optional for all applicants.

    • Applicants must write their application responses independently.

    How much does The History of Activism cost?

    Financial aid

    Domestic and international participants may receive aid.

    What's included

    Daily live online classes, Online office hours, Individual research project, Podcast episode production

    How to apply to The History of Activism

    1. 1

      Create or access an account in Stanford's official application portal using the student's legal name and birthdate.

    2. 2

      Choose Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes and indicate the courses you want to study.

    3. 3

      Complete the application responses yourself.

    4. 4

      Upload recent grade reports, transcripts, and the work sample required for your selected course.

    5. 5

      Have a parent or legal guardian review and sign the completed application.

    6. 6

      Pay the application fee and submit the fully completed application.

    Next step with Succeed

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    Learning format

    Students attend two hours of live online class Monday through Friday within the 8:00-11:00 a.m. PDT window, with the third hour used for online office hours. Plan an additional 2-3 hours per day for asynchronous assignments and projects; exact class and office-hour schedules are set nearer the program start.

    Students attend one course section and meeting time.

    Mentorship and feedback

    • Two-hour live online classes run Monday through Friday.

    • Online office hours use the third hour of the meeting window.

    • Students attend a single course section and meeting time.

    Time-zone considerations

    • The published meeting window is 8:00-11:00 a.m. PDT.
    • Live classes meet Monday through Friday for two hours daily.
    • Exact class and office-hour times are set nearer the start.
    • Allow 2-3 additional hours daily for asynchronous homework.

    Assessment style

    Coursework includes assignments and an individual historical research project presented through a podcast episode.

    • Interpret and analyze primary sources.
    • Complete asynchronous assignments and projects.
    • Develop an individual research project.
    • Produce a podcast episode showcasing your work.

    Portfolio / outputs

    Main deliverable / output

    Produce a podcast episode showcasing an individual historical research project.

    The History of Activism FAQs

    The course examines social and political activism from the late 19th century through the modern era. Its geographic framework includes movements in different parts of the world.

    Students select an individual research project and produce a podcast episode showcasing their work. Primary-source analysis and historical research methods underpin the project.

    Students have two hours of live class Monday through Friday and approximately 2-3 hours of asynchronous assignments and projects per day. Online office hours occupy the third hour of the published meeting window.

    No. Standardized test scores are optional for both domestic and international applicants, and there is no test-score or GPA cutoff.

    Applicants must complete their responses independently so the application reflects their own interests and abilities. Parents or legal guardians review and sign the completed application.

    Yes. Financial aid can be awarded to both domestic and international participants.

    Stanford's undergraduate admissions process is separate and independent from Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies. Participation does not guarantee admission; the provider emphasizes what students learn and how they develop through the experience.

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    Ben Stacy

    Content 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.

    View author page

    Sources & verification

    Source types reviewed

    • Welcome
    • Questions: Application - SI | Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes
    • The History of Activism | Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes

    Succeed uses official provider information where available, but keeps this public page focused on comparison and planning inside Succeed.

    What we verified (on 6 Oct 2026)

    • Course content reviewed

    • Session dates checked

    • Grade eligibility reviewed

    • Daily workload checked

    • Application requirements reviewed

    • Financial aid eligibility checked

    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.