Immerse yourself in courses that bring New York City into the classroom, introducing you to individuals and organizations doing exciting work in the community. In Civic Liberal Arts (CLA) courses, the city is your laboratory, allowing you to engage with practitioners, artists, and experts in real-world settings while exploring your academic interests through field trips, walking tours, panel discussions, and more. CLA courses also host class visits with a range of working professionals from filmmakers and community organizers to museum curators and published authors. Direct interactions with these professionals and their work bring classroom learning to life and help you make connections between your scholarly interests and future careers.
Students in recent CLA courses have attended a book launch; met artists and organizers active in socially engaged music; heard from experts on the transformation of plastics in recycling centers and museum collections; met with the founder of the Bronx Documentary Center and screened a film followed by a conversation with the filmmakers; and mentored elementary school students in the NYC I Have a Dream afterschool arts program.