Humanities for Everybody—or H4E as we call it—is a non-profit community program run by the University Center for the Humanities, with generous support from the National Endowment of the Humanities, the Kalamazoo Promise, and the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. Our mission is to bring together passionate and intellectually curious people from all backgrounds and all school experiences to collectively wrestle with relevant ideas and issues in literature, history, philosophy and contemporary culture.
Our Community PROGRAM
Since 2011, Humanities for Everybody has offered classes in the Kalamazoo community. 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.
Due to the pandemic, our sessions these last couple of years have been in the form of online book clubs. We hope to begin in person sessions in the spring of 2023. 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 Student Programs
Over the years, we have funded several programs designed for students, including a bridge year program (2018-2021) and last year's group of Courage Fellows. We continue to offer student programs.
Become a Humanities Fellow: This year, we will be taking applications to compete for a Humanities Fellow scholarship that will provide students with a small stipend, free books, and access to a variety of humanities-related events throughout the year. If you are interested in applying to become a 2022-2023 Humanities Fellow, please contact our Program Director, Dr. Dini Metro-Roland: Dini.metro@wmich.edu
Prison Education Program: We are currently developing a Humanities certificate program designed for justice-related persons in participating prisons in southwest Michigan. This program will be credit bearing and the courses transferrable to other university programs in Michigan. If you are interested in learning more about the prison education program, please contact our Dale Brown, Manager of Humanities Outreach: dale.m.brown@wmich.edu
Our Sponsors
Humanities for Everybody is a University Center for the Humanities venture. We are grateful for the support of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Kalamazoo Community, and the Kalamazoo Promise.
