Your Life Is Busy, But Is it Full?
Current Offerings
Choose your learning experience.
Premise is different.
Live an Examined Life, One Conversation at a Time
Premise offers a unique blend of joyful, purposeful, and unpretentious learning experiences, led by experienced facilitators. Our sessions bring together adults from all walks of life, committed to exploring life's big questions and buoyed by the sense of community that comes from learning together
Wonder
Every Premise course starts with an enduring question that gets at the essence of what it means to be human. These questions are intended to ignite thought, stimulate dialogue, and foster personal introspection.
Grapple
Students dive into works that illuminate the posed enduring question. We select readings, films, and visual art that are relevant, timeless, and thought-provoking.
Connect
Classes are kept small and students come from all walks of life. Our highly-skilled facilitators lead students in discussions of the enduring question and the assigned reading or film. Premise students come prepared and they arrive ready to listen well. At Premise we value discssion over debate.
Wonder
Every Premise course starts with an enduring life question that penetrates the essence of what it means to be human. These questions are intended to ignite thought, stimulate dialogue, and foster personal introspection.
Grapple
Students dive into works that illuminate the posed enduring question. We select readings, films, and visual art that are relevant, timeless, and thought-provoking.
Connect
Classes are kept small and students come from all walks of life. Our highly-skilled instructors lead students in discussions of the enduring question and the complementary shared course materials.
Wonder
Every Premise course starts with an enduring life question that penetrates the essence of what it means to be human. These questions are intended to ignite thought, stimulate dialogue, and foster personal introspection.
Grapple
Students dive into works that illuminate the posed enduring question. We select readings, films, and visual art that are relevant, timeless, and thought-provoking.
Connect
Classes are kept small and students come from all walks of life. Our highly-skilled instructors lead students in discussions of the enduring question and the complementary shared course materials.
"This was really fun, a bunch of people brought in perspectives on the work that I hadn’t considered. I’ve been wanting to join previous meetings and was thrilled to be in on this one. Thanks for hosting!"
-Student, What is feminist power?
"The instructors' knowledge-base is truly admirable, and I appreciate the breadth, and care given to the discussion. Also, the attention to details during the discussion are commendable. The world needs more of this."
-Student, Where does happiness come from?
What are Participants Say
"Overall I loved the book choice and really liked the sense of community within the group. It felt like a bunch of friends (who had never met before!) getting together to chat and it was a highlight of my day."
-Student, Does Our Work Define Us? Should It?
What are Participants Say
"I really appreciated the diversity of the attendees - both with respect to age and gender. I also wanted to say that I admired the way the instructor led the discussion and kept everything on track, crystallizing ideas and discussion points - it's such a difficult job and it worked so well."
-Student, Should I stay or should I go?
What are Participants Say
"I was pleasantly surprised to find that everyone stayed on topic and addressed the instructors questions directly, rather than doing a segue into talking about their cats, which often happens on zoom classes."
-Student, How will the pandemic shape us?
What are Participants Say
Too darn short. So much to discuss; so little time. I would have happily spent another hour or more talking with tonight’s participants about their impressions of this novel. (Am hoping this is received as the compliment that is intended.)
-Student, Sylvis Plath’s 'The Bell Jar'
What are Participants Say
"Premise is a great idea. And, its the right time in life for a program like this because the world feels so disconnected."
-Student, What does it mean to feel alone?
Our Students Say it Best
Premise
Where the curious come to learn & connect.
Classes and conversations about life’s enduring questions.
At Premise Institute, we create a space for continuous learning that becomes part of your life, not an interruption to it. No pretense, no pressure - just curious minds from all walks of life, growing together.
We're Expanding Our Horizons
We're excited to announce that Premise is expanding to new cities in 2025, bringing our unique learning experiences to even more curious minds across the country. As we grow, we’re actively seeking Founding Chapter Leaders to join us in building this growing community and shaping the future of Premise across the U.S., both in-person and online.
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