A 25-YEAR TRACK RECORD OF SUCCESS
In 1995 writer Earl Shorris gathered 25 students and a volunteer faculty in the Roberto Clemente Family Guidance Center in Lower Manhattan to undertake a radical experiment. After a long examination of the roots of poverty in America, Shorris believed that the key to change might lie in providing those living in economic distress the kind of space for deep reflection offered in a college humanities seminar typically reserved for more privileged students.
The class he developed that year became known as the Clemente Course in the Humanities. Shorris published a landmark essay about it in Harper’s Magazine, and soon Clemente was being replicated across the globe.
I learned to open up my thinking, to really analyze my thoughts concerning life. The way you parent, perform a job, and learn new concepts all require some foundation, and I want to continue to learn art, history and poetry because they are a part of that foundation for learning about yourself and others.
Clemente Course Graduate, Chicago, IL
Today there are Clemente Courses in 35 communities in the U.S., along with Canada and Australia.
Recent studies confirm that the course helps students become better communicators and thinkers, prepares them to succeed in higher education, and leads them to volunteer and vote in higher-than-average numbers.
Graduates use Clemente as a bridge to many things: college degrees, new careers, and more active involvement in their communities. The skills and confidence they gain in the class help them build better, more prosperous lives for themselves and their families.
The Ripple Effect of a Humanities Education
Education in the humanities has an impact far greater than on just a student's life. Hear the stories of students who have taken the Clemente Course and learn how they have used this unique educational experience as a springboard for improving their own lives and those of their families and communities.
A 25-Year Track Record of Success
The Clemente course began as an experiment in Lower Manhattan in 1995. It was based on the radical idea that providing individuals living in economic distress with access to college-level humanities education can support them in improving their lives and communities.
A Coast-to-Coast Academic Network
In more than 30 communities across the U.S., Clemente offers free, accredited humanities courses to underserved adults. All courses are taught by professors from colleges and universities. Explore our course directory to find a course near you.
The Clemente Course is only possible thanks to individual contributors like you. Learn how your gift can leave a legacy that will impact individuals, families, and communities for generations.