The McMaster Discovery Program is a free, non-credit university course for adults in the Hamilton area who want to experience university in a supportive and welcoming learning community. The program aims to create opportunities for local residents to take part in a process of learning and discovery in the liberal arts tradition, to inspire a passion for lifelong learning, and to foster engagement and mutual learning between McMaster University and the communities it aspires to serve.

After a brief break, the course will be returning in a modified version in Fall 2023!

This year’s course offering is called “Home, Movement, and Migration.” The course will run as a series of interconnected sessions that take up topics relating to this broad theme, allowing participants to explore questions such as, “what does it mean to be home, or to be away from home?”, and “how do immigrant and refugee communities navigate migration, construct transnational identities, and experience life in their new communities?” Each session will be led by a different McMaster faculty member with expertise on the topic, providing participants with an opportunity to approach the course theme from a wide variety of perspectives. In addition to participating in the class meetings, students will be encouraged to complete a brief response to or reflection on the ideas taken up at each session, on which the instructor for that week will offer their feedback.

The course features 7 in-person sessions held on the following Saturdays: September 9, 16, 23, October 7, 21, November 4, and 11. Each session will be held on campus at McMaster and will run from 10:30am-2:15pm, including a break for a shared lunch. To support students with their learning, course materials, transportation, childcare, and lunch will all be happily provided!

Students are encouraged to attend as many sessions as they are able. If the student can attend a minimum of 5 sessions, they will receive a certificate recognizing their participation in the program. A graduation ceremony will take place in early December where the certificates will be presented.

We are actively recruiting community members who love to learn but have experienced social, financial, attitudinal, or other barriers to access. If this program sounds interesting to you and you wish to apply, please complete and submit an application.

Please note that the purpose of this application form is to gather more information about applicants. Eligibility for the McMaster Discovery Program is not based on the answers provided as we are not assessing or evaluating applicants’ responses. The first 25 applicants to apply will be contacted by the Discovery Program Coordinator to schedule a conversation to ensure that this program is a good fit for you! This will also provide applicants with the opportunity to learn more about the program and ask questions.

For any questions or inquiries please contact Sarah Bennett, Discovery Program Coordinator, at bennes2@mcmaster.ca or (905) 525-9140 ext. 24066

We hope to see you this fall!