Take a riveting one-week CAU Summer course in your favorite subject taught by leading Cornell faculty on campus. Alumni, family, and friends are welcome. Stay in the dorm or commute from nearby!
CAU Summer features a wide range of traditional lecture courses, experiential courses, and active courses. Scroll to see what's new in 2025.
New course in Western Civilization expands to accommodate demand! Grab your spot before they're gone!
Whether you’re a Cornell alum, a friend of the university, or simply someone seeking an unforgettable getaway filled with learning, community, and inspiration, CAU Summer is designed to be your perfect fit. Visit the CAU Summer FAQ to learn more.
CAU Summer is your chance to take a thought-provoking one-week course led by renowned Cornell faculty on campus. You'll enjoy unparalleled opportunities for connection and discovery set against the stunning backdrop of Cornell University’s picturesque campus.
CAU Summer participants from beyond the Ithaca region can stay in one of Cornell's newest dorms, or commute from a nearby hotel, home rental, or the Statler Hotel.
Registration to stay in Ruth Bader Ginsburg Hall is open.
Explore your passion for plant medicine from traditional philosophy to specimen collection in this Week One course.
Get ready for a week of belly laughs (Week One) with Bruce Levitt, Professor of Performing and Media Arts.
Poem, novel, memoir, play: take your spark to full-fledged plan with rom-com expert, Visiting Assistant Professor Juanie Fowlkes (Week One).
"I met wonderful, interested and interesting people and highly, highly recommend CAU Summer! We'll be back!"
~Christine Del Favero '96
"I made two friends that will probably be friends for life. You can’t ask for more." ~ Mitch Frank '75
Whether you love lectures, enjoy active learning, or want to dive deeply into a new experience in just one week, CAU Summer has courses that run the gamut.
Field study plus art history combine in this fascinating multi-disciplinary Week One course.
The Science and Ethics of Ancestry DNA Testing...what would Darwin say? Dive in Week Two!
Taught by CAU fan-favorite Sara Warner, Associate Professor of Performing and Media Arts and Director of the LGBT Studies Program, this Week Two course will delight and enlighten.
Whether you're a Cornell alum, parent, or completely new to Cornell, CAU Summer is a great way to meet people who share your passion for learning.
"The program, the people, the experiences— it will be forever be part of our forever memory for us."
~ Hsiang-Yi Lin '02
With experiential 2-week tracks in art history, ornithology, writing, history, and culinary arts, staying for two weeks is your chance to deepen your learning.
Week One: Go from spark to full-blown plan in Your Story from Ideation to Creation, & Development
Week Two: Write your life story in Memoir Writing: Discovering Who You Are On Paper.
What happened after Rome "fell"? Find out in this fascinating Week Two course taught by Professor Benjamin Anderson.
Week One: Study birds in the wild and in art in Wild Birds & Humans.
Week Two: Bird watch at the Lab of O. in Wings of Discovery.
The focus is on YOU and building your personal portfolio in this brand new Week Two course taught by Photographic Artist, David Todd.
Take a deep dive into monumental relationships in the art world Week One with Art Historian, Nancy Green.
Week Two: Learn the art of wine and food pairing in Cultivating the Epicurean Palate.
Week One: Dive into the great relationships of art in Mistress, Muse, Mentor, Maker.
Week Two: Get steeped in the art, history, and roots of Western Civilization in Being Byzantine-Art & Culture of New Rome.
Week One: Start from scratch in Yoga: Movement & Mindfulness for All Levels.
Week Two: Work on your swing in The Game Changing Golf Clinic for All Players.
"It's really a privilege to spend much time together as a small group with such distinguished professors."
~ Charles Camisa, MD '73
Courses fill fast! Stay tuned to our emails for course roster updates and registration details.
"It was a magical week of revisiting the campus I love and creating a new layer of memories on top of the ones I had made over 30 years ago."
~ Sue Moy Bergquist (Chen) '90
The vibrant intellectual community on campus, and within the CAU Summer community, is one reason people come back year after year.
“I would recommend it without hesitation.”
~ Rita Sloan, MD
From Golf to Gospel music, from yoga to Cornell history, CAU Summer 2025 has something for YOU.
For extraordinary journeys with alumni, family, and friends, that do not include Cornell faculty, please visit Cornell Alumni Travel.
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