Clemente Course Inspires Love of Learning

When Lisa Carstensen walked into the Clemente Course, a free Humanities class offered by Vancouver Island University (VIU), she hadn’t been a student for over 10 years. A mother of two teenage children, Carstensen was on disability and coping with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder when her Drug and Alcohol counselor told her about the program.

Designed to help marginalized individuals develop reflective thinking skills by engaging them in the arts, the Clemente Course is taught by VIU faculty and covers a number of important texts including the Apology of Socrates and the Epic of Gilgamesh, Carstensen’s favourite. She admits she had some doubts walking into the classroom. "I was scared in the beginning – I did really bad in school: my attendance was bad and I didn’t read, so when I got the books I was really scared."

Carstensen’s fears were soon alleviated. "It wasn’t like a traditional classroom setting. There was no real wrong answer for anything," she said, adding that the reading gave her a chance to connect with her teenagers. "I would read to my kids and their friends – it was bonding time."

According to Carstensen, the classroom discussions were a highlight of the class. "I was excited to go to class because we had awesome debates. We all came from different backgrounds and different cultures, and people’s opinions were really strong," she said. "The class opened my eyes to other people’s hardships and cultural differences."

The Clemente Course is not graded. "It’s offered on a pass/audit basis," said Mark Blackell, a professor in the Liberal Studies program and coordinator of the Clemente Course. Starting in September, the Clemente program will become two concurrent courses, CLEM 100 and 101, offering literature and art history in the first semester and history and philosophy in the second, with a writing component in each semester. In addition to classroom sessions, the class also attends cultural outings to theatre and dance events.

Carstensen said the course helped her feel like she was a part of something and gave her a broader understanding of the world. "It gets you out of your head and makes you think. You gain perspective."

"This isn’t about getting a career in XYZ – it’s more about individual growth," said Blackell. "Ninety per cent of it is about motivation. It’s a course for those who are looking for something: they might not know what, but they’re thirsty for a change."

For Carstensen, the class gave her a sense of self confidence in her intellectual capacity and boosted her self-esteem. "I learned that even if I don’t have an interest in something and I’m fearful of it, I’m fully capable – I do learn. I use a lot of the readings from class when I go through struggles. It helps me to know that throughout history people have struggled, and something positive can come out of it. It woke up my brain."

Carstensen has since signed up for English 12 and a Philosophy course. She dreams of one day completing a Bachelor of Arts in psychology, but in the meantime, she’s starting a non-profit organization aimed at healing through the arts.

Out of the initial class, all but one of the students plan to continue their learning at Vancouver Island University. "There is absolutely no pressure to go on," said Blackell, "However, there is a confidence building that happens that might be what someone needs to say ‘Yes, I can do it – I can be a student.’"

To qualify for the program, applicants must be referred by a social agency, live at or below poverty level, be over 18 (although younger applicants may be considered) and have the ability to read and understand a newspaper article. They cannot currently be a post-secondary student.

Recognizing that economics may create barriers to learning, the program offers free tuition and books, a light lunch prior to class, free daycare for children under five, and bus tickets for those who need it. Any of the optional cultural events are free.

VIU is now accepting applications for the next Clemente program, offered at Princess Royal Family Centre on Wednesdays and Fridays, with lunch provided at noon, followed by class from 12:30 pm to 2:00 pm. For more information or to apply, please contact Mark Blackell at 250-619-7735.