Occidental College

This project will enable Occidental College to integrate its curriculum in the arts, humanities and social sciences with Los Angeles arts and cultural institutions.  The project represents Occidental’s commitment to the increased centrality of scholarly activity to the undergraduate educational experience.  Faculty will build and deepen relationships with local organizations and develop courses, research assistantships and internships with these community partners that will span the entire four years of the undergraduate career.  Six research-oriented Keck Cultural Studies Program courses will equip first-year students with research skills, and six Keck Research Seminars for upper-division students will allow advanced hands-on research connected with the College’s partners, which include the Museum of Contemporary Art, Autry National Center, and Outpost for Contemporary Art.  Twelve 10-week Keck Summer Research Projects and four 9-month Keck Internships will provide opportunities for students to build upon the skills and knowledge they have acquired to pursue advanced research for senior thesis projects and/or gain valuable work experience.  Students’ skills, attitudes and perspectives will be transformed through engagement with the broader Los Angeles community, close relationships with faculty mentors and the deeper critical thinking that independent research makes possible.