Courses & Research

The Boyle Heights neighborhood surrounding the Breed Street Shul has a rich history of cultural and racial diversity, a history vital to resident’s investment and education in the spaces in which they live, work, learn and celebrate. History in a Box is an effort, between the Breed Street Shul Project (BSSP) and the Center for Diversity and Democracy (CDD), to foster a pride of place, community collaboration and self-dignity for Boyle Heights and Lincoln Heights residents. This program aims to engage primary school students that sit within the USC Health Sciences boundaries with regard to their neighborhood’s legacy and their place in that heritage. The course is co-taught by Dr. George J. Sanchez and Carlos Parra.

This course requires students to attend 8-10 hours per week in a community-based internship plus 2 hour class discussion. Students examine theoretical and practical issues associated with community leadership. Maria Avila, the former Center for Diversity and Democracy-Mellon Postdoctoral Fellow, previously taught this course.