Summer Reading

                         One of the most argued things right now among faculty is how we do summer reading. Currently, summer reading works like this: students and faculty choose a book to sponsor for the summer. When the book is approved, the sponsor may set up a meeting in person or online to facilitate a discussion. A number of teachers have argued that departments or classes should be able to require a book. However. The argument among faculty is somewhat of a waste of time because our principal, who was an English teacher, has made the rules and believes in as much autonomy for the students where it can be placed. I understand both sides of the argument. In the faculty’s corner, there are classes that would greatly benefit from required summer reading. For example, my course is a two-year course and I could have students read something to help retain that knowledge that would be lost over the summer. I have tried asked to assign Silent Spring as summer reading, but was turned down. The argument against this is that most students either wouldn’t read it until they return from summer or would try to cram it in right at the end, defeating the purpose of summer reading altogether.

Despite the missed utility of assigning summer reading, I have actually enjoyed sponsoring a book. In the past, I have sponsored Dune By Frank Herbert and Imbeciles: The Supreme Court, American Eugenics, and the Sterilization of Carrie Buck by Adam Cohen. Both books have had a decent number of students that participate in my sponsored books and the discussions have been pretty great. In a way, it also works like teacher coach dynamics in that it allows me to meet students that I otherwise would not have met.

So, while there are two sides to this issues, I will make the best of what we have until the rules change. By the way, I have chosen to sponsor How to Clone a Mammoth: The Science of De-Extinction by Beth Shapiro. I picked this book up at a teaching conference this year, and have been meaning to read it. I think it will give me some awesome material for my biodiversity and conservation lessons. I guess one added benefit of the autonomy is that it forces me to read books on my reading list!