Letter to the Editor

To the Editors:

We are pleased to read in your editorial, “Crossing the Classroom Threshold,” about the University’s new ArtsLink program and we share your commitment to a “program linking academics with public service.”

Students may be interested in plans the American Studies program has for expanding its existing commitment to civic education. We currently offer an annual seminar (led by former Dean of Students Roger Lehecka) on “Access and Equity in Higher Education” in which all students enrolled in the course, in partnership with the Double Discovery Center, work to help high school students from disadvantaged backgrounds prepare for college. Future seminars are planned on “Childhood in America,” “Immigrant New York,” and “Civic Engagement in the United States” that will also involve partnerships with local community organizations through which Columbia students will have opportunities to engage with the broader community. The American Studies program is committed to the study and practice of civic culture, and we welcome interest from students who wish to combine their academic work with community service.

Sincerely,

Andrew Delbanco
Director, American Studies Program
Casey N. Blake
Professor of History and American Studies
Dec. 2, 2008