History
Originally inspired by the movement begun in 1962 at the New School for
Social Research in New York City, ILEAD was founded in November, 1990 by 38
members of the Hanover community, intrigued with the concept of encouraging
continued learning. The founders relished the challenge of putting together
thought-provoking discussion programs which would be self-administered and peer
taught. Since its founding, there have been 1,000 Study Groups and over
18,500 students participating in ILEAD programs
Purpose
ILEAD is a volunteer-run learning organization designed to serve adults in
the (Connecticut River) Upper Valley, bridging New Hampshire and Vermont and
encompassing such towns as Woodstock, Quechee, Norwich, Hanover (home to
Dartmouth College) and well beyond. Its goal is to promote learning
through the study of a continuing series of thought-provoking topics,each of
which is conceived and conducted by one of its members acting as a Study Group
Leader.
Standing
ILEAD is a self-supporting department of Dartmouth College, similar to 300
such institutions at other colleges and universities throughout the country. It
is currently the sixth largest such institution in the country, and boasts
close to 1,400 full time members. ILEAD is supervised by a fifteen member
Executive Committee and continues to welcome members with or without past or
present Dartmouth affiliation.
Classes and Subjects
ILEAD currently offers between 35 and 45 Study Groups for its fall, winter,
spring term. Courses run from five to eight weeks. Mini-courses lasting
two-five weeks are also offered in winter and spring. Most classes vary in size
from 15-25 students and usually meet once weekly for two hours. Subjects are
conceived, planned and coordinated by members acting as Study Group Leaders who
volunteer their time with no remuneration. A wide variety of Study Groups are
offered ranging from politics and history to art, literature and theatre, from
science, ethics and culture, to writing, music and spirituality.
In addition: ILEAD offers further educational programs including group
travel events, comprehensive overseas travel with required pre-travel
courses, weekend, and other ad hoc lectures on subjects of current
interest.
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