Understanding the global commons ­– the shared physical, biological and cultural resources of the planet – is the grand challenge facing society in the 21st century. Our response to this challenge is The Commons at the University of Kansas, a catalyst for unconventional thinking, interdisciplinary inquiry, and unexpected discoveries across the sciences, arts and humanities.

The Commons is a partnership between the Biodiversity Institute, the Hall
Center for the Humanities, and the Spencer Museum of Art. Our mission, one we
invite you to join, is to bring together scholars and students from the
sciences, humanities and arts to explore the reciprocal relationships
between natural and cultural systems.

The Commons is both a physical and intellectual space where people come together to establish common ground from which they may express and explore uncommon ideas for the common good. Commons activities can happen anywhere on campus, however, The Commons itself is housed in Spooner Hall. This is a vibrant and active space that can serve many purposes. We hope you’ll join us in The Commons and help foster this new understanding.

PROGRAMMATIC THEME 2011-2012

In academic year 2011-2012, The Commons is exploring the theme:
URBAN PALIMPSEST destruction and renewal, through lectures, discussions, film, and art installations. Within this broad theme, some possible challenges include:

Why do we build cities in uninhabitable places?
Are cities more critical than rural areas to our survival?
What importance can be placed on the layers of meaning within a city?
Is it wise to rebuild cities that have been devastated by natural disasters and may again?
What does it take to rebuild a city?
Can we separate emotion from the discussion of a city's contributions to the world?

With URBAN PALIMPSEST destruction and renewal, The Commons hopes to engage the KU community in exploring the scientific, humanistic, and artistic elements of cities. In particular, events and programs will explore the way that these perspectives come together to help us understand the complexities inherent in the devastation of a city lost to disaster and the restructuring as it is rebuilt.