Humanities for Everybody
Our team of volunteers are united in the belief that all members of the community deserve access to a quality education in the humanities. Our conversational approach invites participants to ask questions, take intellectual risks, explore issues in depth, develop new academic skills and habits of mind, and gain a public voice. We also hope to build strong and lasting relationships.
Humanities for Everybody classes are small (capped at 18 students). They include an instructor, a graduate assistant, and often one or more volunteer alumni mentors. Core subjects of literature, philosophy, history and cultural studies remain the same, but the specific focus of each session changes based on the interests and expertise of our professors.
All participants in the program will receive free books, tuition and supplies. There are no age or citizenship requirements for this program. Active participants are also encouraged to request assistance with their college or job applications, including references and letters of recommendation written by H4E faculty.
new Bridge Year Program
In the fall of 2018, Humanities for Everybody will launch our Bridge Year Program which will continue to provide free humanities courses to community participants while also offering courses for college credit to Kalamazoo Promise-eligible, first-generation college students.
Our community participants: We welcome all community members to participate in the program. If you are a member of the Kalamazoo community and would like to attend our free courses, listen to our short lectures, and engage in spirited discussions about the humanities, see our site for community participants.
Our first-generation participants: In addition to our traditional community participants, Humanities for Everybody will now actively recruit Kalamazoo Promise-eligible, first-generation college students. These students will receive college credits upon successful completion of each Bridge Year class. If you fit these criteria and would like to apply to WMU (or have already applied to WMU), see our site for first-generation college participants.
All participants will also receive free books, food and bus tokens for transportation.
2017-18 schedule
Courses
Session 1–Sept. 19 to Oct. 19
"Michigan places, Michigan childhoods" taught by Dr. Thomas Bailey
Session 2–Oct. 24 to Nov. 21
"The Black image in the White mind" taught by Dr. Ben Wilson
Session 3–Jan. 16 to Feb. 15
"The city on a hill? An exploration of American exceptionalism" taught by Dr. Mitch Kachun
Session 4–Feb. 27 to March 30
"Women, globalization and social change" taught by Dr. Mariam Konaté
Days/times and location
Classes meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at our off-campus location located in the white building right across the street from Fourth Coast Café:
811 S Westnedge Ave
Kalamazoo MI 49008 USA
If you are interested in attending one of the sessions, please contact our program manager, Tim Erskine.
Our Sponsors
Humanities for Everybody is an Open Doors and the University Center for the Humanities venture. We are grateful for the financial support from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation and the National Endowment for the Humanities.
