Selection Criteria
The Common Reading Committee considers the following criteria when selecting the common reading text each fall:
- Has a meaningful theme
- Is highly engaging, thought provoking, energizing and compelling
- Introduces students to ideas and concepts they likely have not been exposed to
- Is interdisciplinary, examining issues from numerous angles and perspectives
- Has possibilities for campus programming
- Would be relevant and interesting to a first year student (e.g., diversity, self-exploration, identity, etc.)
- Has the "teachability" factor (i.e., can be fairly easily be incorporated into various classes such as ENG, UNV 101, and other first year courses)
- Has a practical application in students’ everyday lives
- Is less than 400 pages
- Has the potential for bringing in either the author or someone who can effectively speak on the theme of the book at Convocation
