April 9, 2024 - UTSA Honors College and Philosophy & Classics Professor of Instruction Mel Webb recently reached a milestone in their academic career: the fifth anniversary of a class that positively impacts the lives of both UTSA students and incarcerated individuals at the Fabian Dominguez State Jail.
Webb and select students will reflect on the program and its outcomes at the upcoming Pizza & Research, “Trust Across Divides: Learning with Incarcerated Scholars,” on Thursday, April 10, from Noon to 1 p.m. in the Assembly Room (4.04.22) of the John Peace Library. Pizza & Research is free and open to all students, faculty and staff. Pizza will be served while supplies last.
This experiential learning program, The Philosophy and Literature Circle, is a 12-week reading, writing, and discussion program directed by Webb that fosters a vibrant learning community in which incarcerated participants and university students engage in a sustained exploration of enduring texts and questions in the humanities. The program is an Honors seminar, cross-listed as an upper-division humanities elective and a graduate-level philosophy seminar to ensure students across UTSA have access to this opportunity. It is made possible, in part, by the generous support of Humanities Texas.
Along with Webb, students make weekly visits to the jail to join incarcerated scholars in completing the program focused on literature, philosophy, and the arts. Sessions typically involve Webb and their students meeting with incarcerated participants in a classroom setting, starting with a poetry reading or writing prompt, followed by small group discussions to share insights.
“Dr. Webb's course structure and content and their pedagogy remind us of the connections we have to one another, despite social location and personal circumstance. The program reminds us of our shared humanity,” said Jill Fleuriet, UTSA vice provost for honors education.
The program advances UTSA’s mission of providing access to educational excellence and preparing citizen leaders for the global environment by creating a learning environment in which UTSA students and incarcerated participants together develop capacities in critical thinking, close reading, logical and ethical reasoning, interpersonal communication, and creative self-expression. This initiative encourages individuals to explore their place within human history and discover ways to contribute positively to their communities.
UTSA student participation in the course involves completing an application confirming their understanding of the requirements and articulating what draws them to the opportunity. Interested students can email Webb to learn more.
Dean Hendrix, vice provost and university librarian, expressed his pride in the Pizza & Research series, emphasizing its role as a dynamic platform for intellectual exchange and academic enrichment
"The Pizza & Research series exemplifies our commitment to promoting academic excellence and fostering a community of lifelong learners," Hendrix stated.
About Pizza & Research
Through lively lunchtime presentations and discussions, attendees gain insights into the latest UTSA research and forge connections with researchers and professors. Held every semester, the program allows attendees to learn about the nature and practice of scholarly research across disciplines and engage with researchers and professors within or outside their own field of study.
Explore Further
Learn more about Pizza & Research.
Learn more about the UTSA Honors College.
Learn more about the UTSA Department of Philosophy and Classics.