Explorations Program

Global Citizen in NYC

Founders Residence Hall

Cosmopolitanism is the original term for ‘global citizen’. When anyone asked from where Diogenes, a Greek cynic and philosopher hailed, he would answer ‘I am a citizen of the world’.

This years’ focus will be on the interface between living in one of the world’s most dynamic and diverse cities and the global political issues its citizens represent.  Through an exploration of issues such as immigration, international institutions, global justice, globalization, food as a representative of globalization, and global art, the complexity of our situation in the twenty-first century will be question  ‘What does it mean to be a global citizen in New York City?’ will be asked of the students, and the facilitator. Activities include sampling ‘fusion’ cuisine and reading about global food production; attending art events that show a cross-pollination of different cultural and traditional sources and that bring up political issues we must face; guest speakers; field trips to several places that exemplify global citizenship in Manhattan, e.g., UN, Ellis Island, museums, etc. and the viewing of films.  Discussions session will regularly ask students to bring in examples from their classes during our time together to add to our understanding.

Media Revolution NYC

Founders Residence Hall

(MRNYC) is a community designed for motivated students wishing to immerse themselves in a climate of creativity and content creation.  With New York City as the focus, participants will be encouraged to develop and create projects that capture their experience as a first year New Yorker. Aspiring journalists, filmmakers, storytellers, photographers, web designers, and other creative minds will be provided an opportunity to collaborate on projects, receive advice and feedback from industry professionals, and showcase their work for the residence hall community. Through ongoing programming, the community will also explore various mechanisms for mass (as well as viral) media distribution such as film, print, television, and web. Through participation in this program, students will not just gain insight into a rapidly evolving industry.  They will have the opportunity to actually shape and influence it by creating their own content and making their mark on the global media landscape.

NYU CORPS (Community Outreach Performing Service)

Founders Residence Hall

What does it mean to be the change you want to see? What does it look like to truly give? And, what does it take to make a resolve an epidemic? NYU Community Outreach Performing Service (CORPS) aims to expand on Explorations Community Hallmarks - community and faculty involvement – with a focus on service immersion and humanitarian studies. Students within this community will actively discuss, partake, program, and converse on humanitarian issues, such as poverty, oppression, and international politics, as they affect New York City. Students will have the opportunity, through numerous different options, to actively serve within the community. Lastly, though not a requirement, students will have the opportunity to partake in a domestic or international service immersion trip with fellow community members during Spring Break of the Spring semester. The exact site is to be determined among the community during the Fall semester.

The Meaning of Food

Founders Residence Hall

Based on the PBS Documentary Series of the same name, The Meaning of Food is an exploration of culture through food. What we consume, how we acquire it, who prepares it, who’s at the table, and who eats first is a form of communication that is rich with meaning. This explorations floor will introduce students to diverse cultures utilizing food and restaurants throughout New York City. Food will be explored through three lenses: food and life; food and family; and food and culture. Beyond merely nourishing the body, what we eat and with whom we eat can inspire and strengthen the bonds between individuals, communities and even countries. Residents will be able to discover attitudes, practices and rituals surrounding food. In addition to exploring restaurants in NYC, residents will watch documentary films, read common literature and participate in community service opportunities that will allow residents to give to those who lack their own food resources.

Artists in Development

Hayden Residence Hall

Artists In Development is about personal growth, extending social and business networks and developing technique in the art world of New York City. It is a community in which serious like-minded persons interested in any art form (dance, film, photography, drama, etc.) get together and collaborate, share information and helpful tips about the “biz”, participate in fun workshops around the city and at the end of the semester, produce a showcase.

French House

Hayden Residence Hall

This Explorations community provides participants the opportunity to live with a group of friends who share a common passion for both the French language and the vast array of Francophone cultures found worldwide, almost of all, which have representative communities here in New York City. The group, which is open to speakers of all levels of French, from beginning to advanced, will take advantage of the wide-range of French-language activities and events in the city, from cinema, theatre, and concerts to conferences, exhibits, and festivals, from New York University’s own cultural showcase, La Maison Française, to Brooklyn’s Little Haiti.

NYU Show

Hayden Residence Hall

Are you friends with that all-American appliance: the television? As you sit in front of your TV do you ever wonder about the work behind the screen? The Daily Show. Upright Citizens Brigade. Conan O’Brien. The View. With so many possibilities in New York City, we’re bound to get you behind the scenes of one of them. While you’re there, consider: how does TV influence our society. In turn, you will shape the NYU community by producing In the Hall the official television program of our residence halls. Join our crew and discover the many channels of New York City.

Human Rights and International Relations

Rubin Residence Hall

Calling all first-year students who care about changing the status quo! The Human Rights floor will be your one-way ticket to learning all about and engaging in social-justice-related issues around the world. Not only will you get the chance to hone your civic leadership skills by partaking in forums, workshops, lectures, and panels in NYC, but you will also receive the support you need to jump start your very own service project idea. Essentially, what this floor is about can be summed up in two words: education and intervention. In other words, educate yourself, then get involved.

Journalism in NYC

Rubin Residence Hall

Journalism in NYC is designed for students who would like to further their interests in journalism by immersing themselves into a floor specifically designated for those who hope to pursue journalism as a career or hobby. You don't need to be a journalism major to join the community, just having an interest in the field! This floor will help students learn about the journalism program at NYU and offer the opportunity to meet others interested in the field.

Through the Global Lens

Rubin Residence Hall

As part of the Through the Global Lens community, you will be encouraged to explore the time-based art of photography. From black and white photos to digital images, you and your peers will investigate exhibits and galleries, as well as create new photography depicting your lives at NYU and within the community of New York City. You will have access to a darkroom within the residence hall and other university resources, through which you can further experiment and learn about various forms of photography. This floor is a phenomenal opportunity for advanced photographers and for beginners alike; no experience with photography is necessary but a sincere interest is encouraged.

Explorations Outdoors: NYC and Beyond!

Third North Residence Hall

While one may not immediately think of outdoor exploration when picturing New York City, there is a wealth of opportunities to enjoy urban nature in the Big Apple and to experience more traditional nature beyond. There is no better way to view the Manhattan skyline than from a kayak in the Hudson, from a bicycle on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge, or from your train window returning from a weekend camping trip in the Catskills. Outside the city are beaches, mountains, rivers, and state parks waiting for action-oriented people to discover their treasures. Maybe you are new to hiking, climbing, biking, or skiing; maybe you are an avid outdoors-person. Whatever your level of ability, this floor welcomes those students who are excited by the chance to explore the outdoors- in and out of the city.

Culture, Arts and The City

Third North Residence Hall

What better way is there to explore and get to know New York City than through the Arts, utilizing NYC’s cultural richness to explore the foundations of art, literature, music, and culture. The events and activities in this community are designed to establish a three-way conversation between you, a member of the faculty, and the city’s vast cultural offerings. You will find yourself eating cannoli in Little Italy, discovering the art of the Far East at the Rubin Museum, enjoying an evening at the Met Opera with Madame Butterfly, and contemplating the value of life with Lear or Hamlet at the Harvey Theater in Brooklyn. Not only will this Explorations floor forge direct connections with what you are learning in the classroom but it will also establish friendships that will last you at least the rest of your time at NYU.
Arts, Culture and the City will complement the Liberal Studies Program’s Cultural Foundations Course.

3N Theatre Arts Company

Third North Residence Hall

New York City is arguably the greatest theatre city in the world, so let’s make a contribution! Join this community, and be a theatre maker. 3NTAC community members will see theatre productions together, learn about the process of making theatre, and produce performances in the residence hall. Activities will include public play readings, field trips to see plays and musicals, a 24-hour original play festival, meetings with working artists, and original 3NTAC productions. This community is open to all students regardless of school or major, so join us and become part of the New York theatre scene!

Fitness and Nutrition: Healthy Living Inside & Outside of NYC

Third North Residence Hall

Are you interested in sports? Looking to eat healthy in New York City and at home? The Fitness & Nutrition floor is designed for students who want to be physically active, stress-free, and healthy! From football or yoga in Central Park to watching a Knicks game or running along the Hudson River, if you want to learn how to keep a healthy weight, find other athletes at NYU, and participate in fun activities both in NYC and out, the Fitness & Nutrition floor is right for you!

Big Apple, Big Screen

University Hall Residence Hall

With filmmakers like Cassavetes, and NYU alumni Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee working its streets, New York City has developed a rich history in cinema, and it remains a capital of the big screen. Big Apple, Big Screen will feature visits to neighborhood cinemas all over Manhattan, from the Magic Johnson on 125th to the Screening Room in Tribeca, in the two-fold effort to keep current with cinema and current with New York City. Discussions about cinema in general films in particular will take place over dinners or double espressos. Students will plan and curate a Spring ’11 “Filmathon” for the NYU community.

F.A.M.E. (Featuring All Musical Endeavors)

University Hall Residence Hall

Ever wonder what the Eagles meant by in a “New York Minute” or why the Beastie Boys crooned “No Sleep ‘till Brooklyn?” From rock to classical, New York City is the center for emerging musical talent. Whether you’re a cool cat, rock idol, or classicist, come and explore the evolution of musical dynamics, styles, and appreciation from concert halls to recording studios and historical venues. What musical craze will you discover? Emphasis will be placed not only on external sources of musical influence, but also on student expression and musical talent. All genres of music will be explored from Punk to Classical, Hip Hop to Reggae, and Rock to Jazz. From C.B.G.Bs to the Blue Note, to Carnegie Hall and MTV, explore the musical movements, examine emerging trends, and share your appreciation of music with others. No formal musical training is necessary to participate in this community, but residents should have an active interest in musical expression and appreciation and a desire to be challenged in expanding their musical preferences.

NYC Tourists: Past, Present and Future

University Hall Residence Hall

How much do you know about New York City? This metropolis has been in perpetual transformation since its founding and it does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Members of this community will explore this city through its history, architecture, industry, and the many other facets that have impacted the growth, development, and creation of today’s NYC. Exploring the many museums, historical societies, landmark buildings, and bustling cultural epicenters, community members will gain an informed perspective of their new home. Residents will see how they can impact the future of this urban Mecca and what tomorrow holds for New York City.

Bohemians and Rebels

Weinstein Residence Hall

Greenwich Village has been home to many innovative writers, artists, musicians, and political rebels. Individuals such as Emma Goldman, Dylan Thomas, Jackson Pollock, Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, and Allen Ginsberg, among many others, set themselves against the dominant cultural and political sensibilities of their time, yet they were able to influence broad audiences. In the past, this community has gone on walking tours of the Village, listened to the music of Dylan and the poetry of Ginsberg, and visited such institutions as the Village Vanguard and Blue Note jazz clubs, the Nuyorican Poets Cafe, the Bleecker Street and Cherry Lane theaters, and local arts cinemas. This community will explore the bohemian side of Greenwich Village and encourage students to develop the rebel within.

LOL: NYC Comedy

Weinstein Residence Hall

Get ready to laugh out loud with a group of hilarious students who love to laugh and learn about New York City Comedy by experiencing it. From stand-up comedy to improvisation, students will laugh a lot and learn a lot about the art of comedy and how it plays into the life of a student at NYU. The rich comedic fabric woven by the diversity of experiences in NYC is unparalleled anywhere else in the country. Students are not required to be funny, they just need to love to laugh (ROTFL).

Politics and Values

Weinstein Residence Hall

The Politics and Values Explorations Community at Weinstein Hall will create opportunities for residents to engage wit the local, state, and national political process through programming, discussions, guest speakers, and trips. The 2012-13 academic year will focus on the 2012 election cycle, which includes the presidential election, all 435 seats in the US House of Representatives, 33 seats in the US Senate, and 11 gubernatorial elections. Explorations participants will have the opportunity to learn campaign strategy, discuss impact of media and press coverage, volunteer in a variety of capacities, and observe and analyze the political transition process.

Food For Thought: Healthy Living in Theory and Practice
Carlyle Court Residence Hall
For students away from home, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be both a challenge and an exciting opportunity. New York City offers a vast range of choices for exploring the subject of health and nutrition from markets, restaurants and cooking schools catering to macrobiotic, organic, vegan, and raw foodist lifestyles to clubs and communities committed to activities such as meditation, yoga, running, hiking, and kayaking on the Hudson, to name only a few. In addition to pursuing the more practical aspects of healthy living, our community will approach the subject of health as an intellectual field of research as well, interrogating some of its broader historical, political, and cultural implications, by hosting a series of lectures, screening documentary films as well as other activities. We may also explore developing a relationship between a local farmer and our residence hall community through a program called "community supported agriculture," which brings local, seasonal, and organic produce into our community. Through participation in our "Food for Thought" explorations community, students will discover the many personal and social benefits that come from maintaining a healthy lifestyle both in mind and body.

NYU CORPS 2
Carlyle Court Residence Hall
NYU Community Outreach Performing Service (CORPS) Part 2 is a community for students interested in volunteering to benefit the surrounding community of New York City. Students would promote the greater good in neighborhoods surrounding NYU and actively participate in social, health, and educational services. The CORPS part 2 floor would allow students the opportunity to become involved with the faculty and students of their building by participating in fundraisers within the dorms and holding community service programs. Connection to the general public and the student body of NYU will aim to overall increase humanitarian awareness. The CORPS part 2 exploration floor will allow participants to openly discuss and share views on issues such as poverty, oppression, and healthcare. Discussion and participation on this floor will promote compassion, leadership, community, and exploration of issues in the greater community of New York City and the world in its entirety.

Pop Culture
Carlyle Court Residence Hall
The Pop Culture Exploration floor is for people who either love pop culture or would like to learn more about pop culture. Through our activities on the floor, we would build a community that could go on trips to filmings of your favorite television shows/movies, watch movies together, or obsess over the same celebrities. Ranging from Kim Kardashian to Lady Gaga to Glee, we would discuss everything and try our best to see what's happening in New York City.

Batter Up!
Coral Tower Residence Hall
The crack of the bat, the bounce of the ball, the swish of the net- the sounds of sport echo throughout the city. The wide array of New York sports- from baseball to soccer to roller derby- has a rich and unique history, deeply interwoven in New York culture. From the 27 world championships boasted by the New York Yankees, to the illustrious New York Marathon, and the rising popularity of the New York Red Bulls soccer team, the city has much to offer in terms of unique sports and events. The Batter Up Exploration Floor will delve into the nonpareil history through trips to places such as the National Sports Museum and the New York Sports Museum & Hall. We will also tour iconic arenas like Yankee Stadium and Madison Square Garden, which form an indelible part of NYC sport history. Through these outings, we aim to foster community and bonding experiences. So come join us in exploring the history of New York sports—batter up!

Geek NYC
Coral Tower Residence Hall
Geek NYC is a floor that celebrates people with all sorts of "nerdy" interests, particularly those in science fiction and fantasy. We will be learning about this often-underrated side of New York City, and exploring all it has to offer us. This will include programs such as signings, movie screenings, and perhaps a day or two at NYCC. Who knows what the city will offer us? All humans welcome, as well as Time Lords, Dothraki, Hobbits, and Jedi Knights, among many other fictional races and species.

Violet Fashion
Coral Tower Residence Hall
Violet Fashion is intended for those students who have a high interest in the world of fashion. Needless to say that all aspects of the fashion industry can be found in NYC, so this group is open to those with all kinds of fashionable aspirations: designers, buyers, stylists, photographers models, writers/bloggers, and the like. Even if you just have an avid interest in fashion, on yourself or others, you are welcome. Members can expect a community that supports the advancement of their ambitions via collaboration: the sharing of contacts, skills, and ideas.

Big Apple, Big Screen: The Sequel
Gramercy Green Residence Hall
With filmmakers like Cassavetes, and NYU alumni Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee working its streets, New York City has developed a rich history in cinema, and it remains a capital of the big screen. Big Apple, Big Screen II: The Sequel will take students deeper into the exploration of cinema in New York City and the cities effect on cinema. Students now more familiar with New York will venture further into each of the city's boroughs to visit popular cinema locations such as the Film Society of Lincoln Center, Tribeca Screening Rooms, and Museum of the Moving Image. After events students will be presented with the opportunity to give insight and commentary in group discussions over Chinese food and lattes. In addition to going to different movie screenings and film festivals students will be presented with the opportunity to organize their own film festival which will be a exhibition of any students work, whether they are a part of the exploration or not, who wish to submit a video. Students with in this Explorations community should have an interest or desire to work in the film industry.

Comedy Community
Gramercy Green Residence Hall
This community is inspired by laughter. Everything comedy is what this floor will have to offer. This floor will cater to everyone's comedy likes, from sketch to stand-up by organizing weekly events to the countless local comedy clubs around the city, most within walking distance from the University! This is a great way to meet people who love comedy as well as meet others in the comedy community. Comedy lovers are sprouting up everywhere and this is a great way to meet people to collaborate with as well as polish your comedic skills.

Interfaith Service
Gramercy Green Residence Hall
Join fellow students of faith to form NYU's first Interfaith Service residential community. We will be partnering with Rabbi Yehuda Sarna and Imam Khalid Latif to do community service once a month, hear from guest speakers, watch interfaith-related movies, and more. Living in the melting pot of the world is a prime opportunity to come together to bond, learn more, and do good for others. Open to everyone--you do not have to be an active member of any religion to be a part of this Explorations community, but you should have an active interest in the topic and in service work.

Take-Offs and Landings
Gramercy Green Residence Hall
As NYU moves closer toward becoming a global network of campuses, we need to provide opportunities for students to connect with other students who are about to go abroad and those for those students who have recently returned. This floor would be a place for students to connect with the global network in both social and educational ways. Students will be able to participate in programming that is directly related to both study abroad sites and the very act of travel and studying abroad. For example, members might attend a performance of Argentine Tango Off-Broadway followed by a meal of empanadas prepared by a student who has recently returned from Buenos Aires. The after-performance discussion might take place while enjoying the empanadas and hearing a lecture/ slide show from a returning student. Other activities might include connecting with the travel bookshop Idlewild Books or bringing in travel experts to discuss things like staying connected while abroad or how to set up a Flickr account to store and organize all of your photos. I would be interested in bringing in experts from the health center to talk about specific issues related to health and safety while studying abroad.

NYC in the 60s
Greenwich Hotel
The 1960's was a groundbreaking era for many subcultures and movements in America. As the largest city in the country, New York acted as a center for change during this time. The city was host to such people and events as Andy Warhol, John Lennon, Jimi Hendrix, The Stonewall Inn Riots, demonstrations against the Vietnam War, the Great Blackout, and the founding of the Mets baseball team. The influences of the '60s still affect the city today, and traces of this decade can be found especially around NYU.

Hit the Streets
Greenwich Hotel
Hit The Streets is a community dedicated to running, fitness, and exercise. Staying healthy in New York City isn't easy. Staying healthy isn't easy, but having people to keep you on the right track helps a lot. So whether you prefer sprinting or long distance, whether you're a beginner or a pro, or whether you're just looking to add a little exercise into your schedule, Hit The Streets is a great place to find other people committed to an active lifestyle. Celebrate running. Celebrate health.

Speaking Out in NYC
Lafayette Residence Hall
As Robert Louis Stevenson said, “All speech, written or spoken, is a dead language, until it finds a willing and prepared hearer.” Speaking Out in NYC seeks to bring together people who have interest in any of the world’s languages, whether they are speakers of one or more foreign languages or English-only speakers with general interest. Students who are enthused about linguistics, the study of how language works, are also very much encouraged to join. Life in this community will be a learning experience in which we will participate in activities around the city (hence the “out” in the community’s title) that involve the art and culture of people who speak languages other than English. At times we will also come together for language-learning activities and for talks on language, linguistics, and culture that take place around our campus and at nearby universities. We look forward to a year of broadening our linguistic and ethnic knowledge together in order to become “willing and prepared hearers” of one another’s tongues-possibly achieving the ability to make them our own.

NYC Spotlight
Palladium
Do you find yourself captivated by the stunning performances only found in the big apple? Unravel the rich culture of New York's entertainment scene. From local music festivals to Broadway theatre spectacles, join us in delving into the city's artistic cornucopia. Come enjoy a broad range of music, film, and theatre; three of the main aspects that make NYC thrive. These are some of the main reasons that people come to the city- both to enjoy them and produce them. Take advantage of what the heart of the city has to offer. Perhaps you will see a concert at Lincoln Center, talk with an esteemed film director, or catch a broadway show on the weekend. The possibilities are endless!

Science and Technology in the 2st Century
Palladium
We are all witnessing tremendous advancements in the sciences--advancements that create societal benefits, conflicts, and contradictions. The genomes of many organisms have been sequenced, allowing us to decipher information encoded in their DNA in an unprecedented way. Will this lead to better medical treatments, or will it provide the means to create and organize new forms of bioterrorist weaponry? The World Wide Web has linked the continents, escalating communication and globalization. Will this catalyze societal homogenization in a desirable or undesirable way? Here at the onset of this centenary, the Science and Technology in the 21st Century community will explore current scientific and technological explorations, emphasizing the future prospects for change that discoveries in these areas will elicit. You will approach science and technologies not only from the vantage points of biology, chemistry, physics, math and computer, but also study their interface with law, business, economics, and the arts. And, New York City will be your laboratory!

International House
Palladium Residence Hall: Special Interest Housing Suites
The International House at NYU is an initiative that intentionally places students into a community where living and learning is dynamic and constant. Both international and domestic students are invited to apply for this program, so that students from all nationalities may come together and learn from one another through meaningful exchanges and interactions. This living learning community will focus on citizen diplomacy across the city and the world. We understand that making connections to other students is a critical component of any student's experience, but particularly for students visiting from another country for one semester, year, or multiple years. For American students, the International House is a phenomenal opportunity to participate in multicultural programs and social interactions with students from all over the world. Students who plan on studying abroad, or who are returning from abroad, are especially encouraged to apply! 

See Asia! Exploring Asian Visual Culture
Palladium Residence Hall: Special Interest Housing Suites
The See Asia Explorations floor in Palladium is a year-long journey through the various cultural traditions of Asia, especially but not limited to East Asia. Different facets that make up this diverse continent will be explored in depth. Programming will provide rich and unique experiences by engaging in some of the most exciting events New York City has to offer. Members of the floor may find themselves wandering the booths at the New York ComiCon and New York Anime Festival, or even out on a group excursion to a film or a traditional play. Through different mediums (such as film, theater, convention, print, and museum), this Explorations floor seeks to provide knowledge of Asian culture and society. No knowledge of Asian culture is required, but interest in or desire to learn about Asian culture encouraged.

Hip Hop Dance
Second Street
The Hiphop Dance Exploration Community would make an effort to take NYU undergraduate students who want to train themselves in urban and hiphop dance and expose themselves to the many outlets of the east coast dance community, with a focus on New York City. By the end of the year, the members of Hiphop Dance Exploration Community would be integrated into the New York dance community and become aware of the opportunities available for taking classes, joining other dance groups in the city, and performance venues.

Innovation and Creation
Second St
The Innovation Floor is a group of students who are interested in making things. Whether you are an engineer, designer, entrepreneur, or just a big thinker, we want a group of people who will become a community, build great things, and help people with their own projects. Some possible activities the floor would host might include guest lectures by local tech companies, hackathons, or just people working on cool projects. We would use our budget to buy tools like 3D printers for rapid prototyping and purchase software SDKs in order to take down the barrier of entry to technological innovation. This community will encourage people to follow their own dreams and passions, as well as provide the support and foundation to learn outside of the classroom and work on building a product that helps solve a problem.

Transatlantic Passports
Second Street
The focus of this exploration floor is to use New York City as a vehicle to explore the cultures of the world. One of New York City’s best attributes is its ability to serve as an ambassador of culture for the western world. With New York City at your fingertips, this community will seek to gain perspective on not only the older traditions of cultures throughout the city as well as gain a hands on perspective of what it means to create a new culture in a new setting. The purpose of this floor is to examine the causes, effects, and social implications of Diasporas and more broadly the displacement of large bodies of not only racial groups but ethnic and religious groups as well. Over the course of the year, this floor will explore and discuss the history of the African Diaspora and its connection to African Americans during the Jim Crow Era, and the African Diaspora in relation to African descendants of other nations such as: Haiti, Jamaica, and Nigeria. The floor will also counter its explorations into African based studies against the Jewish Diaspora in a study of the Holocaust and the Jewish community in New York City. Using New York City as a map of the international world, students on this floor will immerse themselves in museums, exhibits, cultural festivals, documentaries, trips to the racial/ethnic communities in New York and will discuss as a floor how identity is shaped in a new world.