Hum offers university-level courses for low-income people who live in and around the Downtown Eastside and Downtown South. We also accept applications from ‘natural community members,’ which include former residents, people who volunteer in the area, workers, and people who use the services in these areas.
Hum courses are for people who have encountered financial and other barriers to university education and who wish to expand their intellectual horizons in an accessible, challenging and respectful environment. Applicants must have basic English literacy skills, be willing to attend classes, complete assignments and participate in group discussions. Applications for these non-credit courses are accepted not on the basis of past academic history, but on the applicants’ desire and ability to be part of the Hum Programme.
Hum 101 and Hum 201 are two term courses that cover a different subject in the arts or social sciences every week, including history & politics, first nation studies, creative writing, art, music, architecture, philosophy, literature, sociology, gender studies, economics, popular culture, creative and critical thinking, and more.
Writing 101 and Writing 201 are one term courses that cover a different genre of writing each week, including fiction, non-fiction, manifestos, short stories, poetry, song writing, memoir, graphic novels, Indigenous literature and more.
Students receive school supplies, UBC student card, bus tickets to get to and from class, meals, stationary, readings, and childcare funding if needed.
To apply, applicants must attend one of the following information/application session and complete a paper application form.
Carnegie Centre, Main & Hastings St. (Third floor classroom)
Tuesday, August 4 at 6:00 p.m. for Hum 101 & 201
Friday, August 7 at 6:00 p.m. for Hum 101 & 201
Saturday, August 8 at 12:30 p.m. for Writing 101 & 201
Gathering Place Community Centre, 609 Helmcken St. (Second floor)
Wednesday, August 5 at 3:00 p.m. for Hum 101 & 201
Wednesday, August 5 at 6:00 p.m. for Writing 101 & 201
nə́c̓aʔmat ct Strathcona Branch, VPL, 730 E. Hastings St. (Wo Soon [Mary] Lee Chan room)
Thursday, August 6 at 6:00 p.m. for Hum 101 & 201
Friday, August 7 at 3:00 p.m. for Writing 101 & 201
Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre, 302 Columbia St. **women only}
Thursday, August 6 at 2:00 p.m. for Hum 101 & 201 and Writing 101 & 201
Vancouver Recovery Club, 2775 Sophia St. (Spanish room)
Saturday, August 8 at 3:00 p.m. for Hum 101 & 201 and Writing 101 & 201
