2011 College Now Summer Program

“Bridging World History and Immigration: Stories from the Bronx”
July 5–August 11, 2011 at Bronx Community College  

The morning sessions of this exciting course consist of an introduction to the social, political, and intellectual forces that have shaped our notions of Human Rights, Liberty, Freedom, and Democracy—as well as their opposites. In the afternoons students will be actually doing history; that is, they will work together to produce a video essay exploring how the above forces inspired a) someone they love within their immediate social network, or b) someone they admire in their larger community, to emigrate to the Bronx. One goal of these projects is to help students better appreciate that they are both ancestors as well as descendants.

Supplementing the classroom experience will be field trips to Ellis Island and the Bronx Historical Society. At Ellis Island students will bask in the history of American immigration, placing themselves squarely in the throes of their ancestors and witnessing firsthand how and why people from all points of the global compass migrated to the United States. At the Bronx Historical Society students will be exposed to the many transformations that took place within their beloved Bronx.

Rising juniors and seniors studying the theory, study, and practice of World History in conjunction with an examination of Bronx immigration history serves as a first-rate entryway to all other fields of academic inquiry. Thus students who enroll in the summer program will have a better sense of the kinds of themes and materials offered in our Sociology, Psychology, Political Science and Philosophy offerings.

All told, the proposed program combines the seriousness of a rigorous college course in a collegiate environment with all of the pleasures associated with artistic creativity.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be a NYC public high school student, entering 11th or 12th grade in September 2011
• Have a minimum score of 80 on both English Language Arts and Global Studies Regents Exams
• Have a minimum overall grade point average of 80
• Submit a copy of their transcript
• Submit an application (including a written statement of why they are interested in the program)

Students will receive 3 college credits in history and may be eligible for 1 high school credit upon successful completion of the program.

Metrocards and lunch vouchers will be provided.