Paideia 2024

Welcome To Paideia—Reed’s Annual Festival Of Learning!

Paideia is your chance to learn something new—and share what you know. Take over the classroom and plunge into a subject you’re passionate about, from the history of punk to the manufacture of chalk to Bollywood dance.

The Greek word Paideia (Παιδεία) is difficult to translate, but denotes education in its broadest sense. For the ancient Greeks, this included philosophy, poetry, mathematics, physics, rhetoric, gymnastics, music, and medicine. At Reed, Paideia is a weeklong festival that takes place every January when students become teachers. The festival features hundreds of hands-on workshops led by students (plus some by alumni, staff, and professors) that are open to the entire Reed community. 

When and Where

Paideia 2024 will take place from Saturday, January 13, to Sunday, January 21, 2024. Paideia will be held in-person and virtually this year.

Schedule

Please check the 2024 Paideia schedule here

How Do I Sign Up To Teach A Class?

Classes can be on any topic you can imagine. They can be fun, silly, serious, informative, and more. Below are a few classes that were offered during Paideia 2023. 

  • Hula Basics
  • Spin Yarn on a Drop Spindle!
  • Cnidaria Crochet
  • Birds of Eastern Australia
  • Urban Planning - What can or does make cities work? 
  • Personal Finance and Investing
  • So You Want to be a Librarian?
  • A Taste of Zen Practice
  • Intro to Synthetic Psychology: What Robot Behavior Tells Us About Consciousness
  • Show Me How You Burlesque
  • Building Reed College Campus in Minecraft
  • Come Dance Argentine Tango With Us!

Students, staff, faculty and alumni who submitted a Paideia 2024 class application will be contacted between Friday, 12/15 and Monday, 12/18 to confirm their class(es). 

COVID-19 Protocol

  • Although masking is not required, instructors have the discretion to require attendees to wear a mask to their in-person session(s).
  • Alumni will be able to attend and teach on campus.
  • Non-Reed community members are permitted to attend Paideia as long as they are accompanied by a Reed community member (student, staff, faculty, and alumni). 
  • All attendees will be required to follow the regulations set in Reed College’s COVID-19 Prevention & Response Plan