The philosophy department organizes two distinct but related philosophy outreach programs, the Summer Philosophy Institute (of Colorado) or SPICO, and the Philosophy Outreach Program (of Colorado) or POPCO. The origin and goals of the programs are outlined below. For more information or to request a classroom visit or application information, contact Dan Sturgis at 303-735-5810 (email daniel.sturgis@colorado.edu)

The Philosophy Outreach Program of Colorado is sponsored by the University Outreach Council and the Department of Philosophy, and the Center for Values & Social Policy at the University of Colorado at Boulder. The program sends faculty and graduate student teachers across the state of Colorado to interested high school and middle school classes to conduct introductory sessions on various topics of philosophy.

The program is designed to introduce younger students to the methods and subject matter of philosophy, to show them how philosophical debates are relevant in their studies as well as in their daily lives, to demonstrate one means of introducing critical thinking into the classroom, and to contact students who may be interested in attending the Summer Philosophy Institute of Colorado (SPICO).

POPCO instructors are interested in bringing philosophy to students with a wide range of academic backgrounds. Although philosophy is often assumed to be within the intellectual grasp of only the top students, we have found that students who have experienced problems with the traditional school topics are in some cases particularly eager to engage in philosophical thinking and exploration. We have found success with AP and honors classes as well as with traditional and also special needs classes.

POPCO Topics and Session Formats

POPCO teachers try to integrate their sessions into the regular curriculum. We have offered single session topics, day-long philosophy conferences, or multiple class substitutions. Our topics have included:

English classes:

• free will and determinism (in Candide, in In Cold Blood)
• moral theory
• moral and cultural relativism (Things Fall Apart, Heart of Darkness)
• myth and ancient philosophy
• what is it to be human?
• personal identity and authenticity

Science classes:

• free will and determinism (physics, biology)
• genetic engineering and ethics (biology)
• environmental philosophy (biology)
• the fact/value distinction (basic science)
• science vs. non-science (basic science)
• animal rights and experimentation; and hunting

History classes:

• political philosophies of WWII
• Modern thinkers of the Enlightenment period
• human nature and the social contract tradition
• civil disobedience from Socrates to Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Locke and the foundations of the U.S. constitution
• feminist philosophy and the feminism movement

We have also done sessions with special senior seminars, critical thinking study skills classes, and general assemblies at smaller schools. We are always willing to work with teachers to prepare special sessions that are tailored to individual class needs. Click here to request a visit.