Clemente Course in the Humanities

The Process

The Clemente classes are held in a way more similar to a discussion group rather than through one-sided instruction. This has been referred to as the Socratic method. In this fashion, the faculty member acts as a guide, keeping the class on the path to discovering their inherent knowledge and providing instruction where knowledge is lacking. In this kind of environment, one is helped to realize that no-one is an empty vessle and everyone has the potential to gain understanding from one's fellow humans.

The Clemente Course is a sponsored project of the Jefferson County Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization. All contributions to the Clemente Course are tax-deductible.

With Liberty & Justice for All

2008 Session

Classes take place from January to June twice a week on Tuesdays & Thursdays beginning at 7:00p.m lasting from 1-2 hours depending on the offering for each evening.

The Theme

The theme for this session is being treated more as a question than a statement of fact. We, the students, invited guests and faculty will wade through the weighty ideas of freedom and equality. As always we will be armed with the tools of the humanities and some really nice folks (resident...and visitng as noted below) to aid us in our endeavor.

As part of the 2008 Clemente Course, we offer a public lecture/performance series from humanities disciplines that addresses the theme of the course.
Descriptions of the events are available here.

We the People: Democracy & Landscape

2007 Session

Classes took place from Februrary-April twice a week on Tuesdays & Thursdays beginning at 7:00p.m lasting from 1-2 hours depending on the offering for each evening.

The Theme

From the earliest days of European settlement to the present, the evolution of American Democracy has been greatly influenced by our relationship to the land and the natural resources it contains. In the Pacific Northwest, this relationship is made vivid on a daily basis as cultural attitudes and changing economies apply more & more pressure to human and natural communities. Through the study of history, philosophy, art, music and literature, we will explore how our uniquely American relationship to our landscape has defined our political, cultural and social history. Through this inquiry, we will foster a more informed and compassionate stewardship of both our natural and engineered environment that will, in turn, strengthen the fabric of our communities

As part of the 2007 Clemente Course, we offered a public lecture/performance series from humanities disciplines that addressed the theme of the course.