This two-semester introductory college course covers art history, philosophy, American history, literature, and writing. The class is free of charge and students who complete it receive six college credits from Bard College. Daycare, transportation, and books are all free, too.
To participate this fall, apply here.
So what happens in the Clemente Course? As noted in The New York Times, Earl Shorris, who started the Clemente program in the 1990s in New York City, aimed to teach “the ultimate skills: reflection and critical thinking.” He thought of the study of the humanities as “a redistribution of wealth.” By studying the humanities, people acquire the cultural knowledge and conceptual skills to improve their personal and social situations and become active participants in civic life. Their sense of what is possible expands.
These ideas animate The Care Center’s course, which has been offered since 1999. It is the longest continuously running Clemente course in the country, and the only one exclusively serving women. Women of all ages—aunts, mothers and daughters, grandmothers—gather two times a week, October through May, and together make a space in their lives devoted entirely to the cultivation of their minds. Each year, about three-quarters of the Clemente graduates continue their college educations.
A better indicator of Clemente success, though, is what these women have to say for themselves.
“In the Clemente course, we had a vision together—some small voice within each of us that gave us the courage, strength, determination, and perseverance to say yes to our lives.”
“[The Clemente Course] is the first thing I have completed in my life for myself! Not for my daughter, not for her father, not for my probation officer, not because anyone recommended it to me, but for me.”
“You taught us about history in a way that made me realize that women have made, are making, and always will make great contributions in this world.”
“On the first day, when I looked around and saw all the young ladies, I wanted to slowly walk back out of the classroom… I had not been in school for a long time. But throughout this year, I have grown tremendously intellectually. I made friends of different nationalities and ages. We helped each other.”
Classes meet October to May, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 12 to 2PM. For more information, get in touch with Pam at pthompson [at] carecenterholyoke.org or (413) 532-2900.
