Bard College Now Accepting Applications For Free College Course in the Humanities in Kingston, New York
 

ANNANDALE-ON-HUDSON, N.Y.—The Bard College Clemente Course in the Humanities will offer a college-level introduction to the Humanities—philosophy, literature, U.S. history, art history, critical thinking and writing—this fall in Kingston, New York, to adults living on low incomes. Students attend at no cost. Tuition, books, and childcare will be provided. Students who successfully complete the course earn 6 college credits from Bard College. Classes will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., from October 4 to May 31 at the Kingston Library, 55 Franklin Street, Kingston, NY 12401.

Applicants must be 17 years of age or older; living in a low-income household; able to read a newspaper in English; highly motivated and committed; and have the time and desire to attend classes regularly, complete assignments outside of class, and participate fully in the course for the entire nine-month term. Applications are available at the Kingston Library, 55 Franklin Street, Kingston, or can be downloaded from clemente.bard.edu. Once completed, applications can be dropped off at the library’s front desk or e-mailed to Professor Marina van Zuylen at [email protected]. For library hours, please call 845-331-0507 or go to www.kingstonlibrary.org/hours.php. For more information about the Bard College Clemente Course in the Humanities being offered in Kingston, please visit clemente.bard.edu or e-mail [email protected].

There will be a public information session at Kingston Library on Thursday, September 8 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. to answer any questions about the course.

The Bard College Clemente Course in the Humanities, taught by Bard College faculty, provides college-level instruction for college credit to economically disadvantaged individuals. Begun as a pilot project on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, the Clemente Course is currently in its 20th year of operation. Overall, the program has enrolled over 3,000 students. More than 2,000 have completed the course, and earned college credit; and more than 1,500 students have transferred to four-year colleges and universities or plan to do so. Last fall, the Clemente Course was awarded a National Humanities Medal by President Obama.
 
The program is based on the belief that by studying the humanities, participants acquire the cultural capital, conceptual skills, and appreciation for reasoned discourse necessary to improve their societal situation. Clemente students receive 110 hours of instruction in five humanistic disciplines and explore the great works of literature, art history, moral philosophy, and American history. Instruction in critical thinking and writing is also offered. The program removes many of the financial barriers to higher education that low-income individuals face: books, carfare, and childcare are provided, and tuition is free. Bard grants a certificate of achievement to any student completing the Clemente Course and 6 college credits to those completing it at a high level of academic performance. For more information, please visit clemente.bard.edu.(8.15.16)
 

This event was last updated on 09-07-2016

Back to Top