Common Question
In 2024-25, CQ asks the Hopkins community: What is human?
What does it mean to be a human being? What do humans have in common with other biological life-forms? What activities, attitudes, endeavors, and values are unique to human beings? What does it mean to be a human being in the era of advanced artificial intelligence and deepfakes? How have definitions of humanity changed over time, and how do they vary by era, culture, political identity, and religious affiliation? This year, the Common Question explores these questions in terms of advanced artificial intelligence, law and civil rights, the arts, climate change, economics, biomedical research, philosophy, the telling and retelling of histories, spiritual and religious practice, and more.
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How Do You Define What’s Human? |
| We invite JHU community members to answer this year’s Common Question. |
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Common Question + Writing Center Events |
Spring 2025 |
| This year, we invite you to join us in the Writing Center (Gilman Hall 230) and elsewhere for a series of events exploring this year’s Common Question. While all events are free and open to the campus community, we recommend registering early to save your spot. |
| The Long Night Against Procrastination Wed. Apr. 30th, 2025 from 8 p.m. – Midnight For our final event of the year, the Writing Center and JHU’s Common Question present the Long Night Against Procrastination (after all, what’s more human than the urge to procrastinate?) Please Join us on Wed. April 30 from 8 p.m. until midnight in the Writing Center to get serious studying done in a collaborative, supportive environment and enjoy study time, pizza, snacks, engagement with our excellent writing tutors, and participate in some necessary de-stressing activities. Come for all or part of the event, and prepare to get some serious work done just in time for finals week! |
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Explore These Sources
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Project Nim: A Documentary by James Marsh
Project Nim, a 2011 documentary by filmmaker James Marsh, tells the story of a controversial 1970s experiment in which a human family was tasked with raising a chimpanzee named Nim Chimpsky and teaching him sign language. The film deftly explores the complex nature of human-chimp interactions and of language acquisition, raising the question: what truly separates humans and great apes?
The film is free to stream for JHU affiliates via Kanopy. Don’t have a Kanopy account? Register for one here via JHU’s Sheridan Libraries.
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Baltimore Museum of Art: Whose humanity has typically been represented in art institutions (and whose hasn’t)?
Now through February, the Baltimore Museum of Art’s exhibition “Preoccupied: Indigenizing the Museum” gives viewers the opportunity to experience work by Native artists, scholars, and community members—people who have long been underrepresented in American arts institutions. [Photo Credit: Mike Steele via Flickr. CC License]
Read more here. -
JHU Professor David Kaplan and the quest for the “God particle.”
JHU Professor David Kaplan’s award-winning documentary about humanity’s search for the Higgs boson particle presents viewers with cutting edge technologies and raises existential questions about the nature of human existence.
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International Monetary Fund: AI Will Transform the Global Economy. Let’s Make Sure It Benefits Humanity
Artificial intelligence is already changing the way that we work, play, and spend our resources. How can we make sure that those economic changes benefit humanity?
Read more here. -
Joshua Rothman writing for the New Yorker magazine: In the Age of A.I., What Makes People Unique?
The New Yorker magazine’s ideas editor Joshua Rothman asks what happens to human values when AI-generated content becomes indistinguishable from art, media, and thoughts produced directly by humans.
Read more here. -
International Committee of the Red Cross: On Being Human Now and in the Future
University of Oxford Senior Fellow Hugo Slim explores the late historian Bruce Mazlish’s conception of humanity as a species, as a code of ethical conduct, and as a global identity.
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2024-25 Common Question Events
 | Writing Center Fall 2024 Opening Reception Thurs., Sept. 5, 2 – 4 p.m.Join us for pizza, cake, and other treats as The Writing Center officially opens for the Fall 2024 term. Learn about the resources available in the Writing Center, meet our Director, Associate Directors, tutors, and staff, and help us kick off the academic year in style. |
 | Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with Dr. Laura Hartmann-Villalta Thurs., Sept. 19, 2 – 4 p.m.How do you answer the Common Question from an Hispanophone perspective? Does the question translate in a way that makes sense? Answer these questions & more during our celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month with the University Writing Program’s Dr. Laura Hartmann-Villalta. |
 | A Lunch & Learn on Connecting with Your Representative Thurs., Oct. 3, 12 – 2 p.m. In partnership with JHU’s Center for Social Concern & Hopkins Votes, join us for a conversation about American Democracy and learn how to effectively communicate your concerns to your local, state, and federal representatives. Join us in learning how to make your voice heard. |
 | Solving Human Problems: A Celebration of STEAM Thurs., Nov. 7, 2 – 4 p.m. Join us for pizza and cake and great conversation about how a broad education in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts & Mathematics) leverages innovation, growth, & technological and social progress. |
 | “Sociolinguistic Research for Social and Linguistic Justice”: A Conversation with Dr. Christine Mallinson. Mon. Nov. 18, 12 – 1p.m.Join us for a discussion of sociolinguistics & linguistic justice with Dr. Chrstine Mallinson, Professor of Language, Literacy, & Culture & Affiliate Professor of Gender & Women’s & Sexuality Studies at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. |
 | A Celebration of Multilingual Writing Thurs. Nov. 21, 2 – 4 p.m. The Writing Center & JHU’s Common Question invite you to join us for our second annual celebration of multilingual writing. We will explore the ways writers code mesh languages & dialects, demonstrating how writing is entwined with identity. |
 | Honoring the Mind and the Body Thurs. Dec. 5, 2 – 4 p.m.Let’s face it: it’s been a long semester filled with exciting and sometimes exhausting intellectual and academic challenges. Join us in the Writing Center for a relaxed and informal discussion of the mind-body connection and the relationship between physical, mental, and emotional well-being and academic success. |
 | Long Night Against Procrastination Tues. Dec. 10, 8 p.m. – Midnight Join us in the Writing Center for the Long Night Against Procrastination. Come get serious studying done in a collaborative, supportive environment & enjoy study time, pizza, snacks, & engagement with our writing tutors and participate in some necessary de-stressing activities. |
| Writing Center Spring 2025 Opening Reception Fri. Jan. 24, 1 – 3 p.m.Join us in the Writing Center (Gilman 230) for cake, snacks, and fun! Find out how the Writing Center can help you will all your writing projects, and learn more about the Common Question at JHU. |
 | Writing for Resilience: Find the Words We Need to Flourish Thurs. Jan. 30, 2:30 – 4 p.m. Writing can be powerful medicine, helping us make sense of struggles and transform them into flourishing. In this workshop, we’ll dive into the science behind expressive writing, exploring how putting pen to paper can reduce stress, boost mental clarity, and improve your overall health. |
 | Rx: Conversations about Medicine & Writing Fri. Jan. 31, 5 – 6:15 p.m. To practice medicine is to understand that writing is a key tool in the medical toolkit. Whether through the narrative art of diagnosis, or the therapeutic power of expressive writing, writing frames interactions & shapes how patients and providers see themselves and each other. Join us to explore how the written word informs & illuminates the practice of medicine today. Featuring Dr. Lakshmi Krishnan (Georgetown University), Dr. Lenny Grant (Syracuse University); and Dr. Jeremy Greene (JHU). |
 | What is Love? A love letter and poem writing event Thurs., Feb. 13, 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. In partnership with Writers’ Warehouse, JHU’s Common Question & the Writing Center invite you to join us for an afternoon of good food, good fun, and an exploration of romantic writing. With live writing prompts and activities, we’ll help you write a letter or poem for your Valentine (or a friend, colleague, or family member). You can write an original work or take a famous love poem with you to give to that someone. |
 | Legacy & Progress: A Black History Month Museum Event Fri. Feb. 21, 2025 Moderated Discussion & Refreshments at 6 p.m. Exhibition & Reception at 7 p.m. Gilman Atrium | JHU Homewood Campus Brought to you by the Black Student Union, the Center for Africana Studies, JHU’s Common Question, the Writing Center, Legacy & Progress: A Black History Month Museum Event featured a panel discussion about the legacy of Black students and student organizations at Johns Hopkins as well as an exhibition of archival materials documenting the rich history of Black life at JHU. |
 | R. Eric Thomas Pre-Book Talk Event Brought to you by the FLI Network, the Writing Center, and JHU’s Common Question, this pre-book talk event will explore the poignant and often laugh-out-loud funny essays of Baltimore native and acclaimed author R. Eric Thomas. Come for the lunch and refreshments, and stay for an in-depth exploration of Thomas’s work and a related, short writing activity. Note: R. Eric Thomas will give a public reading on March 12, 2025 in the Glass Pavilion. You can register for that event by clicking here. |
 | Moving Beyond Disciplinary Silos: A Critical Call for Black Linguistic Justice Tues. Mar. 4th, 2025 Pre-reception at 5 p.m. | Talk at 6 p.m. Glass Pavilion | JHU Homewood Campus Brought to you by the University Writing Program, the Krieger School of Arts & Sciences, the Center for Africana Studies, the Office of Inclusion, Diversity, Anti-Racism, and Equity, the Medicine, Science and Humanities Major, and JHU’s Common Question, Dr. April Baker-Bell visited Johns Hopkins University on Tuesday, March 4th to deliver a talk called “Moving Beyond Disciplinary Silos: A Critical Call for Black Linguistic Justice.” An Associate Professor of Language, Culture, and Justice in English and Education and Educational Studies at the University of Michigan Marsal Family School of Education, Dr. Baker-Bell is the author of Linguistic Justice: Black Language, Literacy, Identity, and Pedagogy. |
 | R. Eric Thomas Reads from His Bestselling essay collection Here for It or, How to Save Your Soul in America Wed., March 12th, 2025 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. Glass Pavilion | JHU Homewood CampusThe FLI Network, in partnership with the University Writing Program, the Writing Center, and JHU’s Common Question will host a book talk event with the award-winning essayist, playwright, and Baltimore native, R. Eric Thomas in the Glass Pavilion at Levering Hall.Please join us in welcoming him for an evening of catered refreshments and insightful discussion. Our moderated discussion will examine excerpts from his recent, hilarious, and bestselling essay collection, Here for It. Through a blend of humor, wisdom, and biting wit, Thomas will guide us through the pivotal moments that have shaped his distinct viewpoint and uncover surprising wells of hope along the way.This event is free and open to the public. |
 | Black Maternal Health is No Joke Wed., April 9th, 2025 7:13 p.m. Scott Bates Commons | East RoomJHU’s Common Question is proud to partner with the Mu Psi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority to present Black Material Health is No Joke, an evening dedicated to educating attendees about the Black maternal health crisis, emphasizing its disproportionate impact on Black women and the systemic inequities that contribute to these disparities. The goal is to foster a meaningful discussion on the factors influencing maternal health outcomes and explore actionable steps toward achieving equitable healthcare solutions.The event will begin with an engaging Kahoot activity, followed by a panel discussion featuring students, Dr. Lisa Wright from JHU’s University Writing Program, and professionals from the public health field. Each panelist will share their research and insights on the topic, concluding with a Q&A session to encourage further dialogue and future engagement.More information can be found here. |
 | Dial Into Democracy: A Phone Banking Workshop Join the Center for Social Concern, Hopkins Votes, the Writing Center, and JHU’s Common Question for a non-partisan workshop exploring the role of phone and text banking in the American electoral system. Former Maryland congressional representative and the Agora Institute’s 2025 Distinguished Practitioner in Residence John Sarbanes will be on hand to provide insights and context, and we’ll be serving up free pizza, cake, and other refreshments! Come for part or all of the event! More information can be found here. |
 | Wed. Apr. 30th, 2025 from 8 p.m. – Midnight For our final event of the year, the Writing Center and JHU’s Common Question present the Long Night Against Procrastination (after all, what’s more human than the urge to procrastinate?) Please Join us on Wed. April 30 from 8 p.m. until midnight in the Writing Center to get serious studying done in a collaborative, supportive environment and enjoy study time, pizza, snacks, engagement with our excellent writing tutors, and participate in some necessary de-stressing activities. Come for all or part of the event, and prepare to get some serious work done just in time for finals week! |