The Odyssey Project is a college-level course in philosophy, literature, art history, and history for men and women living below 150% of the poverty level.

Its anchor program is the first-year course, which is offered in partnership with Bard College and for which students may receive six units of college credit.

Faculty members are largely from first-rate universities such as University of Chicago, the School of the Art Institute, and DePaul University.

Tuition is free, and the Illinois Humanities Council provides free childcare, free books, and transportation. The six units of credit are fully transferable to other colleges and universities.

This course meets on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Admission is by application only. Refer to syllabus for changes in course schedule.

A Road Scholar Program by John Hallwas

Last week, as voters elected Barack Obama the first African-American President, they were also voting for bans on gay marriage in several parts of the country. For many people the voting results are paradoxical. How can voters on one hand get past years of racial animosity and discrimination and send an African-American to the White House and on the other hand deny same-sex couples the right to enjoy the benefits of married life?

On Nov. 4, three states-California, Florida and Arizona-passed bans on same-sex marriages. The ban's success in California, often seen as progressive on social issues, has drawn the loudest protests, with gay-rights activists and supporters backed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger expressing hope that the California Supreme Court would overturn the ban, known as Proposition 8.