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Between the open curriculum, independent studies and interdisciplinary majors, Hamilton’s dedication to intellectual flexibility is evident. Although most students staying on campus are pursuing research in their field of study, Carly Poremba '15 is embracing the breadth of opportunities offered by the College. Poremba is a neuroscience and creative writing double major who is pursuing an Emerson project, “Horticultural and Historical Exploration of Botanico-Vegetable Medicine.”

Emerson project recipient Leigh Gialanella ’15 is examining the print culture of the 19th century Utopian religious community known as the Oneida Community and founded in 1848 by John Humphrey Noyes.

Although France legalized gay marriage last year, LGBT individuals in the country still feel marginalized. One contributing factor to this is the portrayal of homosexuality in the media, the topic Asad Javed '15, film and French double major, is spending the summer studying. He is working on the independent Emerson project, En Rose - The Depiction and Reception of Homosexuality in French Cinema, with Professor of French Martine Guyot-Bender.

In 2011, during its 50th season, the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra (SSO) declared bankruptcy. The SSO’s dissolution upset many members of the Central New York community, especially the musicians and patrons who for the last half-century had treasured the SSO’s talent and presence. Unfortunately, the SSO’s collapse is representative of a national decline in live orchestral performance.

While writing is often used to convey an idea or a thought, it doesn’t often try to mimic the haphazard connections our mind makes.  But one literary technique, stream of consciousness, attempts to do just that. Nate Lanman ‘15, a creative writing major, is working with Visiting Assistant Professor of English and Creative Writing Benjamin Widiss on his Emerson research project, “The Thought of Thought: Contemporary Inheritances of the Modernist Stream of Consciousness Narrative.”

Henry Rittenberg ’15 is examining the evolution of fashion photography since World War II for his Emerson Grant with Postdoctoral Fellow in Asian Studies Lawrence Chua. Through his project, titled “From Penn to Richardson: A Study in Post World War II Fashion Photography,” Rittenberg said, “I hope to find why there has been a shift from the supremely beautiful compositions of Richard Penn and other post-war photographers to the amateurism of Terry Richardson and the desire for shock value among other contemporary photographers.”

This summer Bennett Glace ’16, the recipient of an Emerson Grant, is examining ‘trash’ cinema with Visiting Professor of Art History Scott MacDonald in their project titled “Another Man’s Treasure: An Exploration of ‘Trash’ Cinema.”

Rushing through the dimly lit tunnels of the subway, passengers might be too focused on their transportation to pay any attention to the changing gallery of graffiti on the walls. Yet each piece in this underground collection has a story, an author, an objective. Collin Spinney ’16 is examining this through an Emerson project, “Beautiful Deviancy: A Work of Fiction and Poetry Born Out of Activist Art.” 

In a world riddled with social injustice, it’s important to discover the tools that can enlighten a population. Caleb Williamson ’17, a philosophy major and government minor, is working with Professor of Philosophy Todd Franklin to determine just that. His Emerson project, “The 21st Century New Negro,” was inspired by Franklin’s course, “The Black Self.”

Shannon O’Brien ’15, the recipient of an Emerson Grant, is spending her summer researching food justice organizations under the guidance of Associate Professor of Africana Studies Angel David Nieves. In her project titled “Examining the Community-Building Efforts of Food Justice Organizations in Philadelphia,” O’Brien hopes to determine how and to what extent food justice organizations actually contribute to the sense of community in Philadelphia.