NEW JERSEY SCHOLARS PROGRAM 2009

June 28 – July 31

INDIA, PAKISTAN, and BANGLADESH:

One History.  Three Countries.  Shared Future.

 Due:  January 9, 2009
See Mrs. Crawford-Jones for an application.

The Republic of India, the world’s largest democracy.  The Islamic Republic of Pakistan, homeland of some of our earliest human settlements.  The People’s Republic of Bangladesh, currently one of the world’s most densely populated countries.  Nearly 1.4 billion people today live in one of these three countries.  Prehistory and history meet on the banks of the Indus River, ancient civilizations passed through these lands, and tales of political intrigue and transformation continue to dominate our news.

Join the New Jersey Scholars Program for an in depth exploration of the history and politics, literature, art and music, and religion of these three key South Asian countries.  How does the watershed year of 1947 continue to impact lives today?  How will General Musharraf’s government be remembered?  Why and how did East Pakistan transition into Bangladesh?  Students will also explore the literature of the region and readings will include works by Salman Rushdie, Jhumpa Lahiri, and the first Asian winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913, Rabindranath Tagore.  The study of music and art from the region is also central to a clear understanding of shifts in culture and expression: how has Islamic architecture affected the region and reflected its culture?; what are the key themes in a typical Bollywood movie?; how is Indian music constructed around melodies rather than harmonic chord changes?  Finally, a clear appreciation of religious and philosophical traditions is essential to our study. From an analysis of ancient Vedic rituals to explorations of Zoroastrian, Muslim, Hindu, Jain, Buddhist, and Sikh beliefs, students will dive into the world of rich insight, philosophical reflections and ritual beauty.

India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.  A serious scholar of world history and contemporary politics can not ignore the significant contributions of these nations to our global community.  Join the New Jersey Scholars Program in an inspiring, challenging, and insightful study of South Asian history, politics, art, music, literature, religion and philosophy and discover a wondrous world.

A crucial part of the magic of the Program derives from the fact that the Scholars live together for five weeks (with one long weekend at home, July 10^th - 13th) in one dormitory with each gender residing on separate floors.  Together they help each other rise to the challenges posed by the Program.  The camaraderie that develops is extraordinary.  With their resident housemaster and assistant housemaster, the Scholars learn to live together, learn together, and laugh together.  Athletics provide a useful way to rest the brain and are conveniently accessible at The Lawrenceville School's athletic facilities -- pool, ice rink, golf course, track, fitness and weight rooms, and tennis, basketball and volleyball courts.  Scholars also organize a few off-campus jaunts for a change of pace.  The Program ends with a graduation ceremony to which all parents and families are invited.

All in all, the New Jersey Scholars Program offers an extraordinary experience.

Daily Schedule

7:30 a.m.                                 Breakfast in the Irwin Dining Center where students and

                                                faculty will frequently share ideas, announcements and

                                                presentations.

8:30-10:00 a.m.                       Morning lecture for all Scholars and faculty.

10:15–11:45 a.m.                    Morning seminar session (small groups of Scholars with a

                                                faculty member).

12:15 p.m.                               Lunch in the Irwin Dining Center.

1:30-3:00 p.m.                         Afternoon seminar session.

Free time                                 Time for reading, research as well as relaxation and athletics.

5:30 p.m.                                 Dinner in the Irwin Dining Center.

There will be occasional evening lectures or films.

Important Dates - 2009

June 28            Scholars arrive at their dormitory for registration.

July 15             Scholars’ dinner with the Board of the Trustees and Friends of the New Jersey Scholars Program.

July 16             Field trip.

July 16             Scholars Long Weekend At Home begins.

July 19             Scholars return to Lawrenceville from Long Weekend.

July 25             Arts Festival.

July 31            Graduation Ceremony.