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Summer Pre-College: AI Literacy

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Marist University Summer Pre-College: AI Literacy

Session I: June 28 - July 11, 2026

This introductory course offers a foundational understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI), concentrating on its fundamental concepts, practical applications, and societal implications. Through hands-on projects, hackathons, and interdisciplinary exploration, students will develop AI literacy, gaining insight into the core principles of generative AI and its potential across various fields. The curriculum balances technical knowledge with critical thinking, emphasizing ethical considerations and real-world problem-solving. Designed for both technical and non-technical backgrounds, this course equips students with the essential skills to navigate and contribute to an increasingly AI-driven world. No prerequisites or prior programming experience required.

 

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will be able to: 

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of the fundamental principles and methodologies of AI
  2. Identify and differentiate AI technologies for various applications and contexts
  3. Explain fundamental AI concepts, such as machine learning and large language models
  4. Utilize AI tools and techniques for problem-solving and creative tasks
  5. Critically analyze AI systems and articulate societal implications (e.g., strengths, limitations, biases, ethical considerations, impacts on privacy and security, professional use)
  6. Demonstrate an understanding of the AI development process

Image of Marist University student working on a computer for Marist's AI Literacy Summer Pre-College program.

Welcome to Marist University's Summer Pre-College Program

Marist University is a highly selective and comprehensive institution noted for its leadership in combining a liberal arts foundation with a professional education. When prospective students visit Marist–our beautiful location on the Hudson River, top-notch facilities, the personal attention and expertise of our faculty, and the sheer enjoyment of their experience here–they want to join our community. At Marist, students get a premium education, develop career-ready skills, make lifelong friends, and graduate as the next generation of leaders ready to tackle a rapidly evolving world.

Course Highlights

This is an intensive, hands-on course featuring:

  • Hands-on AI exploration — Extensive work with ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, image generators, audio tools, and more
  • Hackathon competitions — Team-based challenges where students build real projects with AI assistance
  • Creative applications — AI-generated art, music, multimedia, and "vibe coding" (building apps without traditional programming)
  • Ethics and society — Critical examination of bias, privacy, misinformation, and AI's societal impact
  • Collaborative learning — Group presentations, peer teaching, and team projects
  • Individual portfolio project — A self-directed learning project exploring AI in an area of 
    personal interest

To maximize our intensive two weeks together for hands-on learning, students must complete the following pre-work before the first day of class. This pre-assignment is estimated to take 
approximately 25 hours to complete. 

1. Required Reading (Approximately 20 hours)
Purchase and read the following book in its entirety. Book available on Amazon as a printed book or on Kindle, Audiobook. Also available in many libraries to borrow. The Amazon link is as follows - https://a.co/d/00MfjNBH

Mollick, Ethan (2024). Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI. Portfolio/Penguin. 

ISBN: 978-0593716717 

This book provides the conceptual foundation for our course. Students will be quizzed on its contents on the first morning of class. 

While reading, you must maintain a Reflection Journal. Your responses to these prompts will form the basis of your Day 1 presentation and written reflection.

  • Entry 1: The AI Autobiography and Manifesto. Look at your own history with tools like
    ChatGPT or Gemini. What are you actually using it for? Then, write your "Golden Rule": In one sentence, what do you think is the best way for humans and AI to promote "Co Intelligence" in partnership?
  • Entry 2: The Sidekick Reveal. Mollick suggests treating AI as a "person-like" collaborator.
    Describe your own AI Sidekick for this course. Give it a name, personality, and three "Ultimate Abilities" based on the book's frameworks (e.g., AI as a Coach or Teammate). Describe one scenario where you, the human, would have to overrule its logic.
  • Entry 3: A Tuesday in 2030. Imagine your life four years from now. Based on the book's vision of practical AI applications, describe your morning routine. How are you using AI? What is the one thing you do entirely without AI to keep your "Human Edge"?
  • Entry 4: The Ethics Plot Twist. Write a news headline from the year 2027 about an AI "glitch" Mollick warned about (e.g., bias, privacy, or security). What specific rules from the book would you teach the people in that story to avoid this scenario?

2. Technology Setup (Approximately 1 hour)

Create an account for the following AI platform before the course begins:

Required (Free for Students):

  • Google Gemini Advanced — Students can access Gemini Advanced free for one year through Google's Gemini for Students program. Sign up using your @marist.edu email address (which you will receive after registering for the program).
  • Visit: https://gemini.google.com/students

Recommended (Free Accounts):

These free accounts are recommended but not required before the course. We will use all three platforms during our two weeks together.

3. AI Exploration Activity (Approximately 2 hours)

Using your Gemini Advanced account, complete the following AI exploration activity to familiarize yourself with the tool before class:

The Writer's Block Breaker

  • Use Gemini to generate a short story (5 sentences) on a topic of your choice
  • Assess the quality: Is it coherent? Creative? Grammatically correct?
  • Note the potential benefits and drawbacks of using this tool

The Image Alchemist

  • Use Gemini to generate an image based on a specific prompt (e.g., "a cat wearing a spacesuit")
  • How does the AI interpret your prompt?
  • What ethical concerns might surround AI-generated imagery?

The Data Detective

  • Ask Gemini to help you analyze or visualize a simple dataset (e.g., ask it to create a chart comparing smartphone usage across age groups)
  • How does the AI help you understand data?
  • What might be the limitations of AI-driven data analysis?

Take screenshots of your explorations to include in your introduction presentation (see below).

4. Introduction Presentation & Reflection (Approximately 2 hours)

On the first day of class, each student will deliver a brief presentation (3–5 minutes) introducing themselves to the class and sharing their reflections on the pre-reading and AI exploration.

Your presentation should include:

  1. Introduction — Who are you? Share your name, where you're from, your interests, and what you're looking forward to in this course.
  2. Reflection on Co-Intelligence — Address the following:
    1. Before reading the book, what were your assumptions or beliefs about AI? How (if at all) did the book change your thinking?
    2. Which of Mollick's ideas or examples resonated most with you? Why?
  3. AI Exploration Highlights — Share 1–2 screenshots or examples from your Gemini exploration activity. What surprised you? What worked well? What didn't?
  4. Looking Ahead — What excites you most about learning to work with AI? What concerns you? What do you hope to learn or create during this course?

Deliverables:
Prepare a slide presentation (5–8 slides) and a written reflection (1–2 pages, double-spaced, 12-point font) that accompanies your presentation. The written reflection should expand the points in your slides. Both the slides and the reflection must be submitted as a single PDF document.

Pre-Assignment Submission
All pre-work must be completed before the first day of class on June 29, 2026.

Brightspace Submission: Upload a single PDF document containing both your slide presentation and your written reflection to the course Brightspace site by Friday, June 26, 2026 at 11:59 PM. Students will receive access to Brightspace after registering for the course. Upload to the "Introduction Presentation & Reflection" assignment folder.

Reading Quiz: Students will complete a quiz on Co-Intelligence on the first day of class. Come prepared!

Presentation: Be ready to present your introduction on Day 1.

Required Materials and Supplies, Expectations, Questions

Technology:

  • Laptop computer (recommended for all class sessions; Windows or Mac preferred). Computers are available on campus for students who do not have a personal laptop. Note: Chromebooks often experience connectivity issues on the Marist network; students with Chromebooks will most likely need to use Marist computers during the program.

  • Google Gemini Advanced account (free for students — see pre-assignment details)
  • Recommended free accounts: ChatGPT and Claude

Textbook:

  • Mollick, Ethan (2024). Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI

Supplies:

  • Notebook and pen for notes and brainstorming
  • You may bring your own laptop if you have it, but we can provide access for those who do not.

Expectations

  • Complete all pre-work before Day 1
  • Attend every session — Attendance is mandatory due to the intensive nature of the course
  • Participate actively in discussions, workshops, and team activities
  • Collaborate generously with classmates during group projects and hackathons
  • Think critically about AI's capabilities, limitations, and ethical implications

Questions?

Contact Dr. Kevin Gaugler at kevin.gaugler@marist.edu with any questions about course content or pre-assignment requirements.