The Odyssey Project
Students who enroll in The Odyssey Project/Proyecto Odisea find a welcoming and supportive intellectual community, as well as a firm foundation in the humanities. Courses take place from August through April and are made up of interdisciplinary humanities subjects that may include literature, philosophy, U.S. history, art history, critical thinking, and writing. A committed and creative group of professors from Chicago’s local universities guide Odyssey/Odisea courses, while students who complete the program earn up to 11 college credits in the humanities from the University of Illinois Chicago.
Humanities Courses Offered
The Odyssey Project comprises three semesters of humanities-based learning and an optional, non-credited fourth semester for students who are considering applying to college. While students are always encouraged to finish all credit-bearing courses, it is not uncommon for a student to complete one or two semesters and then return a year or more later to complete the remainder. Over four semesters, students can earn up to 11 college credits transferrable to any accredited college or university.
Semesters One and Two
The first two semesters of Odyssey (HUM 110 & HUM 111) provide an introduction to the humanities by studying subjects such as philosophy, art history, literature, U.S. history, and critical thinking and writing. In addition to learning in the classroom, students will also have the opportunity to see plays, visit museums, and attend public lectures for free.
Classes meet twice a week in the evenings from late August to late April and are offered in-person in Chicago’s Bronzeville and Uptown neighborhoods. Upon successfully completing the first two semesters, students earn eight units of college credits in the humanities (four credits each in HUM 110 and HUM 111) from the University of Illinois Chicago.
All courses are free and credits earned are fully transferrable to accredited colleges and universities.
Note: Courses in Spanish are offered in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood. Learn more.
Semester Three
The third semester (HUM 210) takes place during the fall semester and is offered to students who have completed the first two semesters at any time in the past. As with previous semesters, this course is interdisciplinary and text-driven, but students will have the opportunity to pursue their own research questions throughout the semester. Students who complete the course earn three additional credits in the humanities from the University of Illinois Chicago.
Classes meet twice a week in the evenings from August until December and are offered at Illinois Humanities’ main office in the Loop.
All courses are free and credits earned are fully transferrable to accredited colleges and universities.
Semester Four
The fourth, optional semester is dedicated to supporting students interested in pursuing a college degree. This “college-readiness” course will review some of the basic admissions requirements for degree-granting colleges and universities, demystify the process of choosing a major, provide opportunities to practice writing (including college application essays), and introduce students to useful resources, such as the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and scholarships.
This course is free. It does NOT come with college credit.
Program Benefits
Thanks to our funders and partners, participants receive up to 11 transferable college credits at no cost from the University of Illinois at Chicago upon completion of our free Odyssey Project courses.
Additional Benefits and Support
- Course materials and basic supplies are provided at no additional cost.
- Teaching Assistants provide support with writing and other assignments at no additional cost.
- Public transportation is provided at no additional cost.*
- Child or elder care is provided at no additional cost.*
- Trips to museums, plays, and other happenings around Chicago are provided at no additional cost.
- Free snacks and drinks are provided during class.
- Free membership to the Odyssey Project Listserv and Facebook group which provide helpful tips and information, and updates about Odyssey Project alumni, Odyssey Project events, and other happenings in Chicago.
*Public transportation and child/elder care are provided on an individual basis in cases of demonstrated need.
(photo by GlitterGuts)
How to Apply
Applications to join the Odyssey Project open annually on March 1. The deadline to apply is June 15, 2025. Students are notified of their admission in early July and classes begin in August. Find out if you're eligible and follow the steps to apply.
Make sure you are eligible
To take part in the Odyssey Project, you must:
- Be 18 years of age or older.
- Read at an adult level. (We do a lot of reading in the program, so being able to read a newspaper in English is a good measure of reading readiness for this course.)
- Live at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Guideline. (See the application for income guidelines, or refer to this link.)
Please also keep in mind that:
- You SHOULD NOT currently have a four-year college degree (B.A./B.S.).
- You DO NOT need to complete Federal Financial Aid Forms to participate.
- You CAN already have a two-year college degree (A.A./A.S.).
- You CAN join The Odyssey Project if you have outstanding student loans and student loans in default or owe money to a college.
- You CAN join The Odyssey Project if you have not completed your high school degree.
- You CAN join The Odyssey Project if you are undocumented.
We consider special circumstances if you do not qualify based on the above criteria, so please contact us at odyssey@ilhumanities.org and/or add a note to your application.
Pick a Location
The Odyssey Project First Year Course takes place in-person at:
- North Side: Uptown (Haymarket House, 800 W Buena Ave near Clarendon Ave)
- South Side: Bronzeville (Carruthers Center, 700 E Oakwood Blvd near Cottage Grove Ave)
For the Spanish Language course in Little Village (Instituto del Progreso Latino, 2520 S Western Ave), please visit El Proyecto Odisea.
Complete the Application
Complete the Odyssey Project Application.
If you have more questions, please visit our FAQs section. If you would like to apply for the Spanish Language First Year course, please visit El Proyecto Odisea.
Program Spotlight
Odyssey Project/Projecto Odisea alumni Dorian Nash, Aileen Ocana, and Lori Bibbs share their experiences while taking these humanities classes.
Recent Graduates and Awards
2024 Graduates
First-Year South Side
- Charene Dawn Crutchfield
- Deborah R. Grant
- Jennifer Griffin
- Monique O’Neal Strode
- Christian Alonso Rubio Romero
- Sharifa Stewart
- Vivian Williams
First-Year North Side
- Haneen Al hujazi
- Hiwotenshe Bekele
- Aime Bien-Aime
- Lashundra Burton
- Susan Danzig
- Sharon Denise Dukes
- Christine Hanik
- Caroline Ocasio
- Giovanna Pacindo
- Luz Maria Ramirez Gonzalez
- Shanese Taylor
Photos from the 2024 ceremony are available on our Facebook page.
First-Year Proyecto Odisea
- Catalina Aparicio Grajales
- Carlos Calleros
- Rodolfo Calleros
- Maria Diaz
- Noemí Delia Garcia
- Elideth Hernandez Rodriguez
- Jennyfer Morales
- Carolina Ninel Quintanilla
- Francisco Pastrana
- Edith Rios Alarcon
- Maria Luz Romero-Landa
Second Year
- Lori K. Bibbs
- Malina Damjanovic
- Sheila Johnson
- Starr Dionis Miles
- Jasper Hougard Morrow
- Louisa Oliveros
- Julio César Palos
- Bianca Perez
- Rosemary Steward
EJ Hendricks Award
Initiated in 2018 in honor of one of the first graduates of The Odyssey Project and a retired employee of Illinois Humanities, EJ Hendricks, this annual award recognizes an Odyssey Project alumnus who exemplifies EJ’s commitment to lifelong learning, her dedication to strengthening her community, and her continued investment in working to improve The Odyssey Project for future generations.
Recipients
- 2024: Sylvia Taylor
- 2023: Kim Campos
- 2022: Mayra Ortiz
- 2021: Wanda Obazee
- 2020: Nicole Bond
- 2019: Jo McEntee and Mateo Gonzalez
- 2018: Toy Robinson and Judith (Sophie) Razo
Sophie Razo Alumni Award
The Sophie Razo Alumni Award was created in 2022 to recognize an important and beloved member of our community, Sophie Razo, who passed away in 2021. The award honors a graduate of Proyecto Odisea who, like Sophie, demonstrates a deep commitment to lifelong learning, care for one’s many communities, and continued investment in strengthening Proyecto Odisea for future students and alumni.
Recipients
- 2024: Lucia Wrooman
- 2023: Itzel Muñoz
- 2022: Magdalena Portillo
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2023 Odyssey graduates, instructors, and staff [L-R: Isalia, Josephine, Jasper (back row), Louisa, Susannah (back row), Sheila, Corbin (back row), Mikaylah, Julio, eve (back row), and Ann-Marie] (Photo by Glitter Guts Photography)
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Odyssey alumna Samantha Jordan poses at the entrance to the 2022 graduation ceremony. (Photo by Danielle Elisse Campbell)
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2023 graduate and Sophie Razo Award recipient Itzel Muñoz and her husband pose for a photo during the reception after the graduation ceremony. (Photo by Glitter Guts Photography)
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2022 graduate Kim Redmond celebrates after receiving their certificate. (Photo by Danielle Elisse Campbell)
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Odyssey Project alumni participating in the Envisioning Justice Odyssey Project workshop, Reimagining Safety, in 2019.
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2015 Odyssey Project graduates pose on stage with family, friends, and faculty at the National Museum of Mexican Art.
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2011 Odisea Proyecto students throw a party for fellow students, faculty, family, and friends.
Faculty and Staff
Staff
- Jo McEntee, North Side Site Coordinator
- Wanda Obazee, South Side Site Coordinator
- Mateo Gonzalez, Odisea Site Coordinator
- Sheila Johnson, North Side Teaching Assistant
- Stephanie Banks, South Side Teaching Assistant
- Lucia Wrooman, Odisea Teaching Assistant
- Adrian Gonzalez, Second Year Teaching Assistant
- Rebecca Amato, Odyssey Project/Proyecto Odisea Director
First Year Uptown (Chicago North Side)
- Jo McEntee, Site Coordinator
- Sheila Johnson, Teaching Assistant
- eve bridges, Fall Instructor
- Ann-Marie McManaman, Fall Instructor
- Corbin Covington, Spring Instructor
- Michelle Alexander, Spring Instructor
First Year Bronzeville (Chicago South Side)
- Wanda Obazee, Site Coordinator
- Stephanie Banks, Teaching Assistant
- Lucy Biederman, Fall Instructor
- Isabel Gabel, Fall Instructor
- Christophe Ringer, Spring Instructor
- Adam Syvertsen, Spring Instructor
Second Year Loop (Downtown Chicago)
- Marya Spont-Lemus, Instructor
- Helen Cho, Instructor
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the Odyssey Project cost?
The Odyssey Project is free. Thanks to our funders and partners, Odyssey Project courses are provided at no cost to the students.
Additional Benefits and Support:
- Course materials and basic supplies are provided at no additional cost.
- Teaching Assistants provide support with writing and other assignments at no additional cost.
- Public transportation is provided at no additional cost. *
- Child or elder care is provided at no additional cost. *
- Trips to museums, plays, and other happenings around Chicago are provided at no additional cost.
- Free snacks and drinks are provided during class.
- Free membership to the Odyssey Project Listserv and Facebook group which provides helpful tips and information, and updates about Odyssey Project alumni, Odyssey Project events, and other happenings in Chicago.
*Public transportation and child/elder care are provided on an individual basis in cases of demonstrated need.
When can I apply?
The application window is March-June. Odyssey Project classes start in late August.
Applicant decisions will be e-mailed during the first or second week of July. Soon after, you will be contacted by one of our site coordinators to collect a few additional details and invite you to a site orientation. Please ensure we can reach you by phone or email on your application. It’s a good idea to provide multiple means of contacting you.
Apply here. If you would like to apply for the Spanish Language First Year course, please visit El Proyecto Odisea.
When do classes meet?
Classes meet twice a week during weekdays in the evenings starting at 6:00 p.m.
What is your COVID-19 Policy?
For the health and safety of all members of the Odyssey community, Illinois Humanities encourages, but does not require, vaccination to participate in in-person courses. Students, faculty, site coordinators, teaching assistants, other Illinois Humanities staff, and any approved guests are required to wear masks at all times in the classroom when not eating or drinking.
By accepting admission or employment with The Odyssey Project at Illinois Humanities, all Odyssey community members agree to comply with requirements to reduce the spread of COVID-19 and acknowledge that Illinois Humanities cannot guarantee attendees will not become infected with COVID-19 as a result of attending classes. If you have any questions about this policy, please email us at odyssey@ilhumanities.org.
Contact Us
Rebecca Amato
Director of Teaching and Learning
odyssey@ilhumanities.org
(312) 374-1550
Funders
Partners
Community Partners
Contact
Suite 650, 125 South Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60603
312.422.5580 312.374.6787
600 Troy Road
N4, Room 207
Edwardsville, IL 62025
618.468.5580
Illinois Humanities is supported in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Illinois General Assembly [through the Illinois Arts Council], as well as by contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations.
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Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed by speakers, program participants, or audiences do not necessarily reflect those of the NEH, Illinois Humanities, our partnering organizations, or our funders.
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