The Common Book Project

What is the Common Book Project?
The Common Book Project is a college-wide, co-curricular project that aims to enrich the college experience of our students, faculty, and staff in a common intellectual experience, the reading and discussing of a common book. The book, selected by a committee of faculty, staff, and students, will be integrated into courses in a variety of disciplines, discussed in a variety of programs, and form the basis for exhibits and performances. Faculty are encouraged to integrate the study of  the book into courses as a course requirement, but faculty participation is voluntary. Sample syllabi and assignments in a variety of disciplines from Eastfield faculty will be available to faculty wishing to use the book.

The common book for Fall 2010 is 1 Dead in Attic by Chris Rose.

How was the book chosen?

The specific title was selected by a committee of faculty, staff, and students in early fall 2009 for implantation in Fall 2010.  The criteria were set by faculty on the committee in a meeting in May, 2009.  These criteria were selected based on disciplinary needs and experiences at Eastfield and other community colleges.

Titles were solicited from the entire Eastfield community beginning September 2009. The Library staff vetted the titles to make sure that they meet the criteria established by the committee.  The Library staff provided research information about the suggested books, a synopsis, and a review of the reviews of the books. The committee narrowed the list down, read and discussed the finalists, and made a decision in the Fall 2010.

The Common Book will be a trade book, not a textbook, and will meet the following criteria:

• Adult, not young adult or juvenile
• Rich in theme and ideas
• Contemporary, but easily available in paperback
• Movie version not yet available (although movies about themes in the book should be available)
• Widely appealing to students in both academic transfer and tech/occ programs
• Genre: either memoir or novel

Other considerations:

• Possible partnerships with community resources, especially the Writer’s Garret.  The Writer’s Garret brings nationally known writers for events every year.  They are willing to work with Eastfield to allow one of their speakers (whose fee would be prohibitive for Eastfield’s budget) to speak here either for free or for a much reduced fee.  Having the author of the chosen book would, of course, be a major plus for the college.
• Appropriateness for the entire college community, including our dual credit students. 
• Availability of an electronic version.

What kinds of programs will be offered related to the book’s content?
The specific topics of the programs offered by Student Life will depend on the content of the chosen book. In general, programs could include the following:

• The “big get” would be the author of the book. 
• Eastfield faculty-facilitated programs which consider topics related to the book or the book itself. Faculty should come from a variety of disciplines.  Programs should be inter-disciplinary if possible and appropriate.
• Displays of art, graphics, and other media related to the book.
• Musical or theatrical performances, if appropriate to the themes and topics in the book—and the willingness of faculty to facilitate.
• Student-led discussions and debates centering on issues and topics raised by the book.
• Outside speakers, perhaps professors from local universities, who are experts in fields related to the book.

What are some other ways that students, faculty, and staff can engage with the book?

We believe that engaging in intellectual discourse across disciplines will engage students with the college. There is a large body of research that tells us that students who are more engaged with the college community through extra-curricular as well as co-curricular activities are more likely to persist in their course of study. Engagement is a goal of this project. The following opportunities will be offered:

• Opportunity to be part of the selection process for the book by submitting titles or serving on the committee
• Opportunities for research and scholarly discussion.  We will have a Noodlebib bibliography available to students, faculty, and staff for those who want to pursue their research.  Students can offer resources to be considered for inclusion, although Library staff will evaluate all suggestions and make the final decision.
• Opportunity for informal dialogue with other students, faculty, and staff—and possibly the author of the book—through blogs.  We can have a blog on ecampus, and many authors have a blog through their publishers.  If we cannot have the author on campus, the blog may be a good way to allow students to engage the writer.
• Opportunity to participate in Second Life.  Faculty can use the Second Life island for instruction, but we will encourage participation by students, faculty, and staff.  Training for using it will be provided.
• Opportunity to engage with other students and staff through the Facebook and Twitter technology. 
• Staff development programs, beginning Spring 2009, that will help faculty become familiar with the book and knowledgeable about the issues and topics raised in the book. 
• Staff development programs, beginning Fall 2009, about the general concept of a common book and methods of implementing such a project in the classroom.

How will students have access to the book?
The committee would like for every student engaged in this project to own a copy of the book.  Many of our students have never read an entire book in their lives and have not owned one except for textbooks.  Research in reading tells us that children in homes where books, magazines, and newspapers are present tend to become better readers than those who are raised in homes without much print material.  Knowing this, the committee sees the ownership of a book as something valuable for the student’s entire family. 

Students will be able to buy the book through the Eastfield College bookstore.  Plans are not yet firm about how to manage the numbers.  It is likely that faculty will just need to order the book as part of a textbook order.  The committee will work with the bookstore to get enough copies for students who wish to purchase them at the bookstore by giving the bookstore management the information it needs to find a vendor for the quantity of books that will be needed.  For the bookstore, ordering a trade book is much more complex than ordering a textbook from an established vendor.  They will need extra time to locate a vendor and finalize the delivery.

We will also notify the local Half-Price Bookstore of the title.  They will be able to bring in copies from all the area stores to provide a lower-cost, convenient option for students.

Finally, for those students who simply cannot purchase a copy of the book, the college will offer these options:

• Reserve copies in the Library.
• “Loaner” copies on a three-week checkout schedule in the Library
• Possibly an e-book (if the book is available in electronic format)