UHCL Common Reader program selects common reader for the 2018-19 year
The University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL)’s Common Reader Program has chosen its next book for the 2018-2019 academic year.
“Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work” is a collection of stories compiled by David Isay, founder of StoryCorps. The chapters revolve around various Americans sharing their stories of doing what they love and following their passions.
“[We] felt that ‘Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work,’ edited by David Isay, was an ideal text to meet these objectives,” said Anne Gessler, lecturer of humanities and Common Reader Program director. “As an edited collection of StoryCorps oral histories, ‘Callings’ traces the circuitous paths diverse Americans take to identify their vocations.”
The Common Reader Program is an extension of UHCL’s First-Year Seminar course, also known as Learning Frameworks. The program is described as being tasked with “strengthening the academic community” and creating opportunities for critical thinking and scholarly discussion amongst the UHCL community. The Common Reader Program is comprised of staff, students and faculty across all four of the university’s colleges.
During the fall semesters, members of the program suggest and discuss various titles to review. In November, the members shortlist the titles that are relevant to the campus’ “community and culture.”
Gessler said that the book selected should speak to the Learning Frameworks themes of “voice, marginality, civic engagement, citizenship, identity, community and issues around intersections” of race, gender and class.
The group then reads and discusses the books before voting on the common reader for the year. The spring semester then consists of planning the common reader-themed events.
“Representing a staggering cross-section of jobs, from amateur astronomer to hospice chaplain, each interview poignantly illustrates the challenges, as well as the unexpected joys, of pursuing one’s passion,” Gessler said. “The Program felt ‘Callings’ offered a perfect opportunity to organize stimulating events with UHCL offices, community leaders, and alumni partners that invite students to channel their disciplinary training into innovative, fulfilling careers.”
The book succeeds “Hidden Figures” by Margot Lee Shetterly, which was the common reader for the Learning Framework’s 2017-2018 academic year. The book’s content allowed for the class assignments to be centered around racism and other forms of discrimination prominent in society, while also analyzing the book’s historical content as it relates to today’s society.
Overall the structure of the lessons surrounding the book will be similar to the previous year’s structure. Gessler said the kind of work that will be centered around the book, includes students writing analytical response papers and participating in group discussions centered around its contents.
“The book is organized into short interviews, which is perfect for understanding multiple points of view, a theme of the critical thinking course,” Gessler said. “Students will also create a personalized textbook relating the course’s critical thinking concepts to ‘Callings.’ Finally, students will research and present on a local, state, or federal policy as it relates to the common reader and social, political or economic issues.”
Like previous years, the program will have events relating to the book, as well as separate events. This includes the “Find Your Calling” discussion panel, in which UHCL alumni from a variety of professions will speak on the challenges of pursuing certain professions.
This event will take place Sept. 17. The program is also having the “Speed Callings” which is described as a form of speed dating event in which groups of students will interview business, alumni and community representatives about how their majors apply to various industries in unexpected ways. This will be held Oct. 3 in the Garden Room.
“We are very excited about next year’s reader,” said Wanalee Romero, lecturer of literature and creator of the Learning Frameworks class.
