Morven in Summer

About Courses

Summer 2024 courses announced!


Morven in Summer is an expanded offering of the former Morven Summer Institute. MIS is an innovative sustainability-focused teaching, research, and engagement program for students and community members, hosted on Morven’s 3,000 acres, a key landscape for multidisciplinary learning at UVA.


About the Morven in Summer

During Morven in Summer, undergraduate and graduate students with interests in sustainability, equity, design, food systems, and historical research will have the opportunity to escape the traditional confines of the classroom while working on projects with real-world applications. Morven in Summer occurs during UVA’s Summer Session 1 & 3.

In conjunction with time spent in the classroom at Morven, this multidisciplinary program features guest speakers, field trips, active group discussions, and hands-on projects to ignite creative collaboration among students and faculty.

Students from all years, departments, and outside universities are welcome to join the Morven community for this unique program.

Why Morven in Summer?

HANDS-ON LEARNING: As UVA’s Sustainability Lab, Morven provides students myriad opportunities to learn about sustainability in a real-world context.

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITY: Students enrolled in ARH 4500/AAS 4005 learn about Morven’s enslaved and descendant communities while conducting historical research on the property and at UVA’s Special Collections Library.

UNIQUE PROGRAMMING: Morven in Summer provides students with the opportunity to engage in rigorous academic study while enjoying one-of-a-kind events and programs, from tea ceremonies in our Japanese garden to campouts under the stars.

No application is needed — simply sign up on SIS during the spring semester.

 

 
 

Courses

2024 offerings:

Session I:

  • PLAP 3160/GSVS 3160: Politics of Food

  • GSVS 3110/ANTH 3590: Sustainable Communities

Session III:

  • AAS 4005/ARH 4500/ARH 5500: Morven’s Enslaved & Descendant Communities

  • ETP 3500: Multimedia Practice for the Environment

Read more about the 2024 courses here.

Events and Programs

In the past, staple Morven Summer Institute, now Morven in Summer, events and programs have included:

  • Teaching Tea Ceremonies in Morven’s Japanese Garden

  • Morven campout under the stars

  • Film night in the Dogwood Theater

  • Special guest speakers that tie together unique course themes

Learn more about our unique Morven in Summer events and programs here.

 
 
 
 
 

How to Sign up

The Morven in Institute is offered through the University of Virginia’s Summer Sessions office. Taking courses during Summer Session is a great way for UVA students to earn additional credits outside the traditional school year. Visit the UVA Summer Session website to see more information about credits, tuition, and other relevant information.

To sign up for MIS, no application needed! just sign up on SIS in the Spring of 2024

Students participating in the Morven in Summer select one 3-credit course from Session I, Block A (Session I: May 20 – June 15 and/or  Session 3:July 15 - August 9).