The New Jersey Scholars Program creates a supportive yet demanding environment for able students who really want to stretch themselves intellectually. It does that by selecting a small group (approximately 39) of motivated and able young people and a highly-trained professional faculty. Together they study a specific time period or region in an interdisciplinary manner, discovering how historic, literary, artistic and scientific disciplines interact.

Ever since the European world explorations in the 15th century, Western cultures collided with Asian cultures. On the surface it might appear that the Western powers exerted a complete mastery over Asia, at least until the 20th century. In reality the cultural collision between the West and Asia profoundly affected both regions. The 1998 and 1999 New Jersey Scholars Program will investigate the complex cultural interchange between the West and Asia, studying history, literature, art and architecture, and music. How did the specific historical background of the two regions shape the conflict between them? How did their economies connect or collide with each other? Was the Western incursion a disaster for Asian culture, or was the Western presence more superficial and ephemeral than one might suppose?

These are just a few of the issues that the Scholars will address. In the course of their studies the Scholars will also create artistic, musical and dramatic works reflecting the core issues of the Program, exhibited in an Arts Festival. Another central feature of the experience will be a field trip into New York City to study Asian art first-hand. The Program will climax with an inter-disciplinary research project on a topic of special interest to the Scholar.

All of these questions will be investigated in an intense academic day combining lectures, seminars, research and field work. Reading assignments will be extensive, but some time will be available for athletic activity. Room, board, and all academic expenses are covered by the Program. The Scholars will engage in field work involving short trips and the trip to New York. A major piece of research will provide the culminating achievement of the Program. Scholars will also mount an arts festival in art and drama for all parents and past New Jersey Scholars.

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 10th - 12th) in one dormitory. 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 Schools athletic facilities (including the pool, basketball, volleyball, tennis, golf, track and weight room facilities). 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.

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