SC&I sent Assistant Professor of Professional Practice Mary D’Ambrosio’s “Writing about Social Issues” class to see “The Immigrant,” on March 27 at New Brunswick’s George Street Playhouse. The play, based on a true story, tells the tale of an up-and-down friendship between a Russian immigrant couple and a banker’s family in early 20th century Texas.

The trip was funded by the SC&I deans’ Course Enrichment Fund.

“The play helped students see how conflicts over immigration aren’t confined to modern times, but were common throughout history,” said Assistant Professor D’Ambrosio.

In the class, students write about income inequality, immigration and a topic keyed to a theme planned for Kairos, JMS’ magazine of top undergraduate work. Recent Kairos special projects have included inquiries into environmental degradation, developments in New Jersey’s international communities, the impact of automation on work, and feminism on campus. 

Writing about Social Issues students have chronicled life in the swelling Venezuelan refugee community in the New York/New Jersey area; have reported on meal preparation as divine service at Robbinsville’s spectacular new Hindu temple; and have gone undercover to report on the lives of “sugar babies:” young women who become the paid companions of older men.