Common Reader Program to host final events for 2018-2019 book selection

Since 2014, the Common Reader Program at the University of Houston-Clear Lake (UHCL) annually selects one book to be used for its Learning Framework class assignments. The book chosen for the 2018-2019 school year is “Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work,” by Dave Isay. The Common Reader Program has planned events for the spring semester related to the book that everyone in the UHCL community is invited to attend.

“UHCL’s Common Reader Program is an extension of the First-Year Seminar course,” said Anne Gessler, lecturer in humanities and chair of the UHCL Common Reader Program. “The program, which began in fall 2014, aims to foster critical thinking and discussion around important social concepts such as race, gender, class and citizenship. A committee of students, staff and faculty from all four colleges select the text to be studied throughout each academic year. The 2018-2019 Common Reader book is Dave Isay’s Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work, an edited collection of StoryCorps oral histories that traces the circuitous paths diverse Americans take to pursue their vocations.”

The Common Reader Program has three main learning objectives: To strengthen the academic and creative intellect with the use of critical thinking; to pose in-depth questions that require individuals to look at the various points of view before answering; and to create an environment that allows students, faculty and community to talk openly learn from one another.

As part of their outreach to achieve these goals, the Common Reader Program is hosting a total of six events for the spring 2019 semester. Each event is held on the UHCL campus and collaborates with a different faculty, guest speaker or program.

The first event this semester took place Feb. 13, and it was a “Find Your Calling: Liberal Arts Edition” panel. This event was hosted in collaboration with the Creative Writing Services and the Alumni Association here at UHCL.

“During the panel and a subsequent one-on-one break-out session, students gained insight into how a broad liberal arts training can aid their professional development, regardless of their original degree plan,” Gessler said. “Participants were Rebecca Novak, environmental justice community engagement coordinator for Lone Star Legal Aid; Alfredo Gomez, alumnus, director of external relations, College of Business at the University of St. Thomas; Christy Harper, alumna, principal UX research manager and co-owner of End to End User Research; Coretta Duplessis, alumna, care coordinator for the Harris County Center for Mental Health and IDD; and Brian Mills, director of UHCL Campus Recreation and Wellness Center. Joanna Eleftheriou, assistant professor of literature, moderated the panel.”

The next event will be held March 9 as part of a collaboration with UHCL’s Film and Speaker Series, Criminology Program, Women’s Gender and Studies Program, the Office of Student Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and the Women’s Studies Student Association to host a Ruth Bader Ginsberg film fest.

“I am really looking forward to the Ruth Bader Ginsburg film series,” said Wanalee O. Romero, director of the First-Year Seminar Program “It’s going to be an exciting couple of film screenings (one feature film, one documentary) where students, faculty, and staff can learn more about the Justice, ask questions of the guest speakers and even dress up in Ginsberg’s signature robe and glasses for a photo opportunity!”

There are four more Common Reader events students can attend this semester. March 28 and April 4, Common Reader will be putting on a Life Writing Workshop and Open Mic. This will be in collaboration with the Writing Center and the Creative Writing Program. April 18 there will be a Hawk overlook at the UHCL Student Conference for Research and Creative Arts. This will be in collaboration with Christal Seahorn, assistant professor of writing, and the UHCL Newmann Library.

Students, faculty and staff can learn more about upcoming UHCL Common Reader Program events by visiting their website.