Get to know your neighbors - Vassar College

This course combines visits to both the medium and maximum security prisons with class meetings on campus. Students participate in weekly dialogue groups facilitated by inmate on topics such as Domestic Violence and Family Issues, Communication Skills, and Re-Entry.

Examines the historical and contemporary issues that contribute to inequity and injustice in U.S. public schools. Students connect theory to practice in their design and implementation of a "community collaborative project" that engages local youth in a positive, academic endeavor, and attempts to increase opportunities to succeed in school.

The Vassar Language in Motion program provides opportunities for students with advanced expertise in foreign languages and cultures to make guest presentations in local area high school classes. In addition to gaining teaching experience, students will help strengthen foreign language education in Dutchess County schools. Readings and discussions for the accompanying course will address issues of language learning pedagogy, intercultural communication, and assessment.

Enrollment is limited and by permission. Students wishing to participate should have advanced proficiency in French, German, Italian or Spanish as well as some first-hand experience of the culture(s) where the language is spoken (i.e. study abroad, summer programs, or a primary or secondary residence).

This course analyzes literacy by combining research, theory and practice by coupling seminars with tutoring sessions at the Poughkeepsie Middle School.

Students are given the opportunity to volunteer at the Poughkeepsie High School and work with native-Spanish speaking students. Vassar students may work under the supervision of the high school instructor in a special classroom devoted to ESL or they may assist ESL students in their other classes during the school day.

This course confronts different approaches to political engagement, with specific focus on community-based experiences. Students observe, participate in and document local examples of the democratic process and give a presentation with Poughkeepsie community organizers at the end of the semester.

This course is a collaboration among six area colleges (Bard, the Culinary Institute of America, Dutchess Community College, Marist, SUNY New Paltz and Vassar) designed to examine local issues around a given topic from multidisciplinary perspectives. Past themes have included the Arts in Poughkeepsie, housing and homelessness, and the Hudson River Waterfront.