Humanities Program (HUM 101)
The Humanities 101 program (HUM 101) brings together a diverse group of adult learners who all share a passion for lifelong learning. The program, a collaborative effort between U of A and the greater off-campus community, offers multiple courses each year that emphasize critical thinking in everyday life.
Each semester, there are a variety of courses. Each course has its own, unique, curriculum that is developed responsively to the learning wants and needs of the community.
Although many people have a passion for learning, the program recognizes that a lived reality for many is that too often institutional, situational, and financial barriers make post-secondary education inaccessible. Some of the ways the U of A decreases these barriers is by providing transportation, food, and supplies.
HUM 101 strives to make its courses accessible, thereby cultivating an opportunity for critical thinking irrelevant of previous educational experiences. This fosters the coming together of university faculty, students, and community learners in a way that challenges the traditional university classroom by equally privileging lived experiences alongside conventional understandings of knowledge.
Programs
Science 101
The Humanities 101 community's long-awaited wish for science-based courses finally came true in Fall 2024 with the successful launch of Science 101! Thanks to the incredible support of Cody Steinke, the Faculty of Science Community Engagement Coordinator, and the Faculty of Science, we offered both a fall and winter course.
Our fall course, an Introduction to Paleontology, was primarily instructed by Gavin Bradley with contributions from several ß÷ßäÉçÇø faculty guests. In the winter, we shifted our attention upwards to space. With Cody Steinke's continued support, we explored various aspects of space and our relationship to this planet, guided by numerous faculty and guest speakers.
Civida at Ermineskin
In 2024, we also launched our parternship with Civida. Currently at the Ermineskin II Community Centre, we delved into contemporary Canadian experiences through a historical lens, exploring different Canadian identities.The diverse perspectives within the classroom made the term a huge success, pushing us beyond the confines of a conventional classroom.
WINGS
For over a dozen years, we've had the privilege of facilitating HUM 101 classes at Wings of Providence. Each term is filled with thoughtful discussions and learning. These courses are almost entirely instructed by dedicated volunteer faculty, including some who have been with us every single semester, having over 30 terms under their belts!
The Learning Club
In collaboration with the University of Alberta Library, HUM 101 has been facilitating non-credit courses that center and celebrate Indigenous thinkers, makers, and creators since 2017. This collaboration offers two courses annually, in the fall and winter, with over 40 participants in each course this year! Our latest theme was Indigenous Peoples Around the World. Every two weeks, we delivered learning packages highlighting the skills, arts, ideas, and histories of a unique Indigenous Nation from across the globe. Each package was uniquely decorated by a CSL student.
Community Engagement
- Through the Humanities Program, the ß÷ßäÉçÇø is able to learn from communities that would not typically have access to post-secondary education. As a result, the university begins to build reciprocal relationships of learning with communities who have historically been kept out of university classrooms.
- The Humanities Program aims to promote student engagement with the broader political public realm via critical thinking, reflection, and dialogue in a respectful environment.
- The Humanities Program recognizes that we work, learn, and play on Treaty 6 territory and are committed to an unending, thoughtful, and conscious negotiation about our relationships and responsibilities to the land and the community both past and present.
Urban & Civic Engagement
- Offering free university-level courses in the humanities to individuals who wouldn't otherwise have access to critical learning spaces in an accessible setting is a prime example of the urban and civic engagement.
- The Humanities Program currently depends on a strong partnership with The Learning Centre and Wings of Providence; we will continue to foster reciprocal relationships between the University and the broader community.
Enriching Graduate Student Experience
- Over half of our volunteer instructors have been graduate students. Teaching in an unconventional classroom setting, encourages graduate students to think about pedagogy. HUM challenges graduate students to think outside of their emerging expertise and to value other kinds of knowledge, positioning themselves as learners.
Enriching the University Community and Community Engagement within the University
- Humanities instructors have consistently remarked that teaching in the Humanities Program has challenged them to reflect on and refine the ways they teach in their conventional university classrooms.
- Volunteer instructors come from many faculties and departments, including English and Film Studies, Comparative Literature, Native Studies, Philosophy, Education, Library and Information Studies, Sociology, Rural Economy, Anthropology, Women's and Gender Studies, History and Classics, Fine Arts, and Native Studies.
How to Apply
If you would like to enroll in the Humanities Program, please fill out this
If you are having trouble accessing or filling out the form, contact Lisa Prins, Humanities Program Coordinator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should students bring to the first day of class?
Nothing. Supplies and material are provided to students on the first day of class.
Are there homework and assignments?
Yes and No. Because Humanities is a non-credit course no grade (pass, fail, or letter grade) is given, there is no formal grading. However, we do have in-class assignments and exercises that learners are expected to try in the Humanities 101 course. These activities are always done during class time and any necessary materials will be provided. Learners are also encouraged to share their exercises and hand them in to instructors for feedback. Learners should also be prepared to participate in class discussions. Classes also typically include a final project that the class works together to complete and learners are expected to contribute to this capping project. We are currently working towards supporting an independent and sustainable group of alumni learners in partnership with FGSR and EPL.
How long does the course run?
The Humanities Program typically runs for about 12 weeks. The class is offered once in the Fall and once in the Winter.
- The Learning Centre Literacy Association
- Wings of Providence Second Stage Women's Shelter
- Office of the Provost
- USchool
- FGSR
- Edmonton Public Libraries
- The volunteers who keep the program going
- The learners who continue to contribute to the program in and out of the classroom
The Humanities Program is facilitated by instructors and course assistants who are all volunteers from the ß÷ßäÉçÇø.
If you are interested in teaching or assisting with a course, please contact Lisa Prins. The Humanities Program welcomes Faculty, Graduate Students, Contract Instructors and senior Undergraduate Students to help out with our courses.
Categories of Identity, Who Decides Who We Are?, Winter 2017
Women's Knowledge, Winter 2017
Geocaching for Storytelling, Winter 2011
Alternative Guide to the City, Fall 2010
Mapping Community & City, Winter 2010
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