By Andrew Wigger

awigger@civitasmedia.com

NEWBERRY — The Newberry County’s Literacy Council’s first year of the People’s College has been a success, according to Joseph McDonald.

“It gives some college like experience for adults who could not attend college, either because of grades, money or opportunity,” McDonald said. “The experience is for adults who did not go, but also for people who went and did not feel like they got a full experience. We have had people with or without college experience this first year.”

The People’s College held three terms this year. A winter term (January-March), spring term (March-May) and a fall term (September-December). Each term lasted for eight weeks, and met on Mondays at 6 p.m.

“We had 11 people on the roll during the winter, spring term about 12 and the fall term 15. Our classes grew each time,” McDonald said. “The terms also expanded with diversity. We had black and white, male and female. We tend to have older students, but have younger folks as well.”

McDonald added that a portion of the students were senior citizens who graduated high school and went straight to work and focused on family. However, now that they have more free time, they can focus on themselves.

At the People’s College there are no tests and no finals, just classes with discussions. When it comes to the subjects taught at the People’s College, it was based on great books.

“It’s a concept of education that started at Columbia University and Chicago University 100 years ago. The idea behind it is the best education can get started with Plato and Aristotle and work your way up to modern work,” McDonald said. “Those writers who have stood the test of time, includes historians, political writers and literature.”

The People’s College receives books, which are free to students, from the Great Books Foundation. The Foundation prints all great writer subjects, with each book containing a selection of great writers. The books contain excerpts of these great writers. The first year the classes have been focusing on the Great Book Readers.

“Each Monday we will discuss one or two selections, and it is not easy stuff to read. What makes it easier is having a group of people who get together and discuss,” McDonald said.

During the class discussion, the students will discuss if what they are reading can be applied to today, and if the excerpts should be considered great writing. McDonald said the class has agreed that each writing can be considered great.

“Through the first year we have gone through all three of the Great Book Readers. Now we will have to move on to a new subject,” he said. “There are others like Great Book History, Science, Poetry.

The People’s College has been more than just classes. McDonald said they have also attended plays and events at the Newberry Opera House. Students were able to attend the events and receive the books free, thanks to a small grant the People’s College received.

Now that the first year is over, McDonald said he is pleased with how the People’s College turned out. He said the enthusiasm and the diligence of the students has been outstanding. McDonald is now looking toward next year.

The new semester is starting Jan. 11 at 6 p.m. but if more people sign up the People’s College could expand to more days.

“If people let us know if our regular time does not work, we can put in another class, but we have to have enough people,” he said.

If you are interested in the People’s College call the Newberry Literacy Council at 803-276-8086.

Reach Andrew Wigger at 803-276-0625 ext. 1867 or on Twitter @TheNBOnews.