University of King's College is launching a new summer program, Humanities for Young People (HYP), for ambitious teens who want an intellectual challenge and a taste of college life. From July 10-16, students will study challenging texts with some of our most engaging professors, develop their analytical, verbal, and interpersonal skills, and enjoy residential life at Canada's oldest chartered university.
“HYP will clarify what we study in the humanities, how broadly applicable humanities skills are, and the way the humanities shape our communities,” says Dr. Laura Penny, one of HYP's coordinators. "Our aim is to ignite curiosity and passion in young people," says Kim Kierans, Vice-President of the University.
HYP is an academic adventure that will take students from Ancient Greece to multicultural Canada. HYP will also immerse students in Nova Scotia's culture and history, with events like a pirate history cruise of Halifax's harbour, and a Medicine Walk led by a Mik'maq elder.
HYP will conclude with a public symposium, The Humanities in Our Communities, at Halifax's new and acclaimed Central Library. This symposium will feature the work of students, professors, and a keynote address from George Elliott Clarke, Canada's parliamentary poet laureate and a passionate advocate for the humanities.
HYP is open to all Canadian students from grades 9 to 11 with an interest in writing, in reading, and in thoughtful inquiry. Applications are available on our website, hyp.ukings.ca, until June 1st.
HYP has won a Connections grant from The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) to help fund this exciting pilot project. HYP is also thrilled to have the support of the Halifax Public Library.
