As the Common Experience Project featuring Zakes Mda's "Cion" begins its second year, the Common Reader Committee is planning for the future. All members of the campus community are invited to submit suggestions for a theme and texts for the project's 2010-2012 cycle.
The project, also known as the Common Reading Program, was established as a way for incoming students to share a common intellectual experience and to introduce them to college-level reading and writing expectations. According to Sherri Saines, reference librarian at Alden Library, all submissions should aim to, "Incite critical thinking about an idea exemplified in a group of texts."
"Texts" is not just defined as printed books, but can include recordings, movies, maps and much more. The definition is up to the submitter's imagination. The chosen theme and texts should be able to be adapted to all departments and programs.
All submissions should revolve around a central theme and provide four to five suggested "texts."
"People could use the theme of activism. For materials they could suggest the books 'Three Cups of Tea,' 'Mountains Beyond Mountains,' the film 'Malcom X' and poetry by Nikki Giovanni."
All submissions for the 2010-2012 cycle should be sent to oucommonexperience@gmail.com for consideration. The deadline for submissions has been extended to Nov. 10.
-- Colleen Kiphart
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