Center for the Humanities

The Center for the Humanities at Grinnell College cosponsors events across campus, supports community organizations, puts on a slate of programming each year around an annual theme, runs a seminar connecting students with our programming, and supports faculty and staff work with our grant programs. As such, the Center is evidence of our institutional commitment to the humanities as a crucial component of a liberal arts education.

Theme 2018-19: Dis/Unity and Difference

Difference is a reality of community life—as is disagreement about how to negotiate the tensions of celebrating difference and promoting unity. Does focusing on unity paper over difference? Does focusing on difference promote disunity, undermining the possibility of solidarity? In 2018-2019, the Center for the Humanities will host a variety of guests who will present topics and approaches that can help us think through these pressing questions in our communities.

The Center is also sponsoring a year-long Humanities-Social Studies seminar around the annual theme, Dis/Unity and Difference. Participants will read and discuss the work of the Center’s guests both before and after the visit and will have the opportunity to visit with the speakers while they are on campus.

The seminar is open to all members of the Grinnell College community. Student participants will earn two credits per semester. Participation in one or both semesters of the course is possible. Contact Tyler Roberts  with questions about the course.