Integrating the Common Book into your classrooms provides many benefits, including interdisciplinary unity among other participating departments, and continuity among freshmen cohorts as they examine the text in a variety of contexts. For many, this integration means structuring a single day of class around lessons related to the text, while others choose to have the book as required reading.
Incorporate Directly in Your Class
Many faculty include the common book as required reading for their class and incorporate the book directly in their class through discussions, writing prompts, and activities. This is especially useful in freshmen classes, as all incoming students receive a copy of the book.
Tie-in a Theme to Your Class
Using the Common Book does not mean adopting it in its entirety. Many courses successfully use key themes for the Common Book to inspire lectures, assignments, and other course tie-ins. This helps keep courses relevant and connected with the campus community.
Lead a Community Event
Each book highlights many cross-disciplinary themes, and we are always looking to spotlight experts on campus to share their knowledge, experiences, and ideas. Many faculty volunteer to lead discussions, give lectures, and even curate film series for the campus community related to the book.
Encourage Your Class to Attend Community Events
If you are unable to include the book specifically in your class, you can still promote connections between the common book themes and your class. Many faculty offer special assignments or extra credit if students attend one of the community events related to their class.
