Premise Approach to Teaching and Learning
Explicit purpose
Adults who want to learn and connect with others come together at Premise to grapple with life’s beautiful questions and texts that help us think deeply about our place in the world. We know that listening and asking questions of our fellow learners is as important as sharing our insights.
Generous authority
Premise instructors hold the room. They know when and how to ask participants to step back to create space for others, taking charge of the conversation for the good of the group. Instructors use the Common Premise Guidelines because they understand that boundaries and expectations create calm and space for deep learning and discovery.
Community at the core
Premise students come from many geographic regions and bring a diversity of educational background, race and ethnicity, gender, and age. Our differences make the learning richer. Premise courses and communities are built around one beautiful question and text, equalizing learning opportunities for all.
At Premise, we are intentional about the learning community we cultivate and sustain. Our philosophy of learning, teaching, and community-formation is constructivist and inquiry-based.
*Our guiding principles are informed by author Priya Parker’s work The Art of Gathering.