UH-Victoria

Community of Readers

First Year Academic Experience Committee

The Community of Readers is one of two initiatives of the First Year Academic Experience Advisory Committee, a university-wide group of faculty and staff members dedicated to providing our incoming students with a welcoming, challenging and successful first year at UHV. Coupled with the First Year Seminar, the Community of Readers expands the academic climate at UHV for our incoming students.

Mission

The Community of Readers program is designed to establish a common academic experience between first year students and the larger community by offering a common reading that provides cross-disciplinary perspectives, generates discussions and fosters the exchange of diverse ideas. To help promote a shared experience, the Community of Readers program encourages students to attend speaker presentations and events associated with the common reader. The goals of the Community of Readers are:

  1. Create a shared academic experience that promotes a sense of community
  2. Encourage students to engage in informal discussions with fellow students and faculty
  3. Explore the common reader from interdisciplinary perspectives

Book Selection Rationale

After much deliberation and consideration, the committee adopted 'The Hunger Games' by Suzanne Collins for the 2012-2013 academic year. This book was selected because of its timely political and sociological themes, its science fiction setting which makes it easier to see what can happen if the trend of oppressive government is taken to the extreme, and because the nature of the story provides numerous opportunities for associated activities, films, and speakers to augment the experience of the book.

Book Selection Process for Future

Selection of the book for the 2013-2014 academic year will begin early in 2013. Book nominations will be accepted via our website and all suggested books will be considered by the committee.* Books under consideration will be evaluated based upon:

  • applicability of the book to the Community of Readers mission
  • ability of the book to promote cross-disciplinary perspectives
  • opportunities for associated activities, events and speakers

Suggestions for books to be considered are both welcomed and encouraged. Please see the 'Book Suggestions' link on our website.

First Year Academic Experience Advisory Committee

  • J. Keith Akins, PhD, Director
  • Amanda Breu
  • Jere Hammer, PhD
  • Rachel Martinez, PhD
  • Alireza Tavakkoli, PhD
  • Jun Yang, PhD
  • Sandra Heinold

Community of Readers Committee

  • Amanda Breu, Chair
  • Samantha Bell
  • Sandra Carter, PhD
  • Sandra Heinold
  • Nancy Penry
  • Ashley Sisson
  • Alireza Tavakkoli, PhD
  • Michael Weston
  • Lori Williamson