University of Notre Dame Pre-College Programs Reality Bites: Understanding the Complexity of Failure in Addressing Wicked Problems

A two-week International Development course in Oxford where students examine the gap between developed and developing countries, the impact of globalization and the role of the international community in tackling global inequality. Topics can include poverty, inequality, economic development, international aid, education, public health, sustainability and the role of institutions. The subject draws on economics, politics, sociology and international relations, and tutors shape the syllabus around their specialism and the group's interests.

A Georgetown University summer Academy on how democratic societies deal with conflict, mixing lectures, interactive exercises, guest speakers and a crisis simulation. Topics are Democratic Peace, Electoral Violence, Democratic Endurance, Autocratization, Political Polarization, Populism, Perspective Taking, and Debate and Dialogue.

A traveling gap year in which Scholars live in a sequence of world capitals and their surrounding regions, learning from regional experts through masterclasses, workshops and excursions, taking faculty seminars in subjects from entrepreneurship to politics and creative writing, and choosing week-long Fellowships on themes such as government, finance, technology, conservation, history, art and craft. Weekly one-on-one advising, college counseling, a Life Design course and an independent Capstone Project run through the year.

Leadership and Social Change examines direct service, community organizing, philanthropy, electoral politics and legislative or legal advocacy as ways of moving toward a more just society. Students study past and present justice movements, reflect on their own leadership style and build skills in facilitation, listening, conflict resolution and public speaking. The course ends with an Action Plan for their own community. Brown describes it as preparation for college-level work in political science, sociology, gender and ethnic studies.

A Brown Pre-College Leadership Institute course on social entrepreneurship. It covers how social enterprises, from social purpose businesses and nonprofits to revenue-generating ventures, drive change in health, education and the environment. Students learn from guest speakers, readings and discussions, and they build a business plan, an elevator pitch and a community Action Plan.

The Leadership Institute is Brown Pre-College's program for students who want to turn a passion for social justice into action. Each student chooses one interdisciplinary course. Past courses include Women and Leadership; More than a Game: Leadership and Social Change in Sports; Leadership, Law and Social Movements; Leadership and Intercultural Communication; Leadership in Changing Business: Social Entrepreneurship; Leadership and Social Justice; Reimagining Leadership: Art and Social Change; and Leadership and Social Change. Students explore issues such as civic engagement, gender equity, educational access and intercultural communication, practice a collaborative model of leadership, and build an Action Plan to apply in their school or community.