Pierce College is looking at beginning a new wave of student interaction. A “Common Book Program” is a book club of sorts, where the entire campus reads and discusses the same book.
This program is practiced throughout the country at various two-year and four-year institutions. It can be put in place to evoke a sense of community in first year students, or maybe be part of an orientation program.
The book may be used in courses as well, though it’s up to the instructor whether they use the book or not. More importantly, it allows for more interaction between the students and faculty members outside of the classroom setting.
The University of Washington adopted the program in 2005, requiring new incoming freshman to read the book “Mountains Beyond Mountains” by Tracy Kidder. The book is a spring board for campus activities, allowing students to meet one another around a common interest, or a common book in this case.
On the Pierce College level, fall quarter is intended to be a planning quarter, a time to design activities and events regarding the book. Pierce College has selected “Brain Rules”, by Dr. John Medina.
The book details how or brains really work, and how it may affect how we teach our children, or our performance at work or school. It covers topics such as sleep, exercise, attention, stress, and many others. The book is also a New York Times Bestseller.
Dr. Medina, a molecular biologist who lives in Seattle, has also written “Brain Rules for Baby”, a book designed to help you with parenting, and raising intelligent, happy children.
However, the program is not planned to take full effect until Winter Quarter 2012. During Spring Quarter, on April 26th, the author of the book will be on Puyallup’s campus, for a lecture, book signing, and reception.
“Brain Rules” can be purchased from barnesandnoble.com for $8.29, and is also available on the Kindle for $7.16. Copies are also available at the Puyallup student programs office for $4 ($9 for non-students).
