Combining experiential learning with social justice
About HILL
Many of the major problems of our time can be analyzed through the prism of Location and Dislocation.
Through Humanities Integrated Locational Learning (HILL) we aim to to construct justice-based notions of land, place, and belonging in response to systemic racism, body and border policing, economic inequity, and global warming.
HILL encourages students to:
- Examine social dynamics through our humanities curriculum
- Advance innovative responses to interconnected issues
- Deepen investment to humanities majors so that change can be made
HILL Components
HILL consists of a three-component approach to understand the world around us within the current social reality.
Two of the three components are spatial, and the third is virtual.
Spatial Component
About the Beyond K Cluster
The Beyond Kalamazoo course clusters are focused on location or dislocation and emphasize place-based learning through an integrated travel component following designated location hubs:
- New Orleans, Louisiana (Year 1, 2, and 3)
- St. Louis, Missouri (Year 2 and 3)
- San Diego, California (Year 3)
About the K Cluster
The Within Kalamazoo clusters emphasize a particular theme relevant to location or dislocation, where faculty directly collaborate on coursework that places those respective courses in conversation wand engages directly with social issues in the Kalamazoo community.
Virtual Component
Component Three: Digital Humanities Hub
About The Hub
This dimension of the project provides the digital site to publish, archive, and assess outcomes in relation to course work and partnerships beyond and within Kalamazoo.
This virtual component of our project captures the dynamic of place, movement, and connectedness – and the new knowledges and relational identities arising from our work – in a virtual map.
More information on The Hub coming soon!
Get Involved
Faculty
- Learn more about HILL and the specifics of faculty course development for this project.
- Interested in applying? Review the process and expectations of Cluster faculty.
Students
Interested in taking one of our Cluster Courses?
- Review the opportunities and processes of our research travel seminars.
- Check out the possible research topics for our upcoming research seminar in New Orleans.
- Learn about the details of this grant funded research and what students will prioritize in these cluster courses.
- Apply in early Fall 2022 through Hornet Passport