Ringel Humanities Scholars
Get paid to take your General Education courses!
Apply now to be one of 25 students in the Ringel Humanities Scholars Program. The application is open to all first-semester first-year, full-time students.
Ringel Humanities Scholars will explore the role of individuals and institutions in our society through the lenses of the humanities. If you are passionate about reading, thinking and talking about truth, literature and history, want to explore the human experience and make a difference in society and learn how to confidently articulate your views consider applying for the Ringel Humanities Scholars program. College is the place to talk about big questions like, What does it mean to be human?; Why be good?; How should we treat one another?; What does justice mean? The Humanities are a place to learn how to talk about such questions as preparation for law school, graduate school, and professional careers.
A key goal of the program is that students will learn how to talk effectively with, and listen respectfully to, others. Toward that goal, all students will enroll together in Humanities and Justice 250, the introduction to the humanistic study of justice in the spring 2025 semester, and then in the following fall the cohort will all take Philosophy 231. Both classes count toward general education and potentially a humanities major or minor. Ringel Humanities Scholars will also attend NYC cultural events together, meet and interact with scholars, lawyers and others involved in the study and application of the humanities.
At the end of the year-long program, students will receive a $1,000 stipend to help them in their future studies. At the end of the program, participating students will also be able to apply for the $4,000 Dean and Ronnie Ringel Humanities Endowed Scholarship. The Ringel Scholarship is an annual award to a rising junior pursuing a humanities major who had participated in the Ringel Humanities Scholars Program.
How to Apply
Please apply to be a Ringel Humanities Scholar before October 18, 2024. The start of that journey is an application letter. Please send a formal email to the director of the Ringel Humanities Scholars Program (RHSPDirector@jjay.cuny.edu). It will include:
- In paragraph 1, your name, EMPL ID and current major, a sentence introducing yourself, and a sentence on why you came to John Jay;
- In paragraph 2, describe why studying the humanities is of interest to you. Explain what you hope to get from your professors and fellow students from participating in the Humanities Scholars Program and what you believe you can contribute to others in the program;
- In paragraph 3, please share what book you read over the summer and why you can’t wait to tell everyone about it!
About the Program
The RHSP is directed by Professor David Munns of the History Dept at John Jay College. The Ringel Humanities Scholars Program stems from the gift of Dean and Ronnie Ringel. Dean Ringel was an accomplished NYC based lawyer and is still a valued member of the history department’s teaching staff. He teaches legal history and courses in the humanities. His wife, Ronnie, is also a lawyer who currently helps low-income people with legal problems.
Contact
Professor David Munns
Department of History
RHSPDirector@jjay.cuny.edu