About UW Common Book
The Common Book is our chance to cultivate a shared experience among our freshmen, a chance for them to read, to discuss, and to think about important themes as well as to build community upon their entrance to our university.
—Dean Edward Taylor, Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Initiated by Undergraduate Academic Affairs in 2006, the UW Common Book aims to introduce and engage freshmen in the University's intellectual community. During summer orientation, University of Washington freshmen receive a common text with the expectation that they read it before fall quarter begins.
Centered in Undergraduate Academic Affairs at the UW Seattle campus, UW Bothell and Tacoma may also choose to incorporate the book into their campus curriculum.
The UW Common Book is implemented with the partnership of First Year Programs and the support of the University Libraries, the Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity, the University Book Store, and UW Alumni Association.
Frequently Asked Questions about the 2009–10 Common Book
Disability Resources for Students
The University of Washington is committed to providing equal access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education, and employment for individuals with disabilities. If you are a student with a documented disability that would impact your ability to read the common book without reasonable accommodation, please contact Disability Resources for Students to request the common book in alternate format e.g. audiotape, large-print, electronic text, Braille.
Disability Resources for Students is located in 448 Schmitz Hall, 206-543-8924 (V/TTY), 206-685-8379 (fax), uwdss@u.washington.edu.
UW Common Book Goals
- To promote a common text to be read by students, faculty, staff, and alumni at the University of Washington to develop a sense of community focused on intellectual inquiry.
- To offer entering freshmen a focus for conversation and social exchange.
- To provide students with opportunities to reflect about their roles as learners and leaders.
- To integrate the text into appropriate classes in a meaningful way, and to extend book-related activities throughout the University.
- To encourage participation of the wider community at campus events and to develop co-sponsored events with local libraries, businesses and interested organizations.
UW Common Book Selection Criteria
- The book is accessible to freshman.
(Of high interest and appropriate for 18+) - The book is readable.
(Not too long or too dense and has a good chance of actually being read.) - The book is inclusive.
(It is neither derogatory nor exclusive.) - The book is "talk-about-able." (Thank you, John Webster)
(The work stimulates a good discussion.) - The book stimulates personal reflection and is intellectually engaging.
(Students are stretched to think and learn more.) - The book is conducive to teaching and learning and can be integrated into the academic programs.
(Faculty, librarians, resident programs, and First Year Programs can build on the content and themes of the book.) - The book is well-written.
(An extra bonus if it is "un-put-down-able.") - The book is a critical reading of society.
(It has an unfolding impact on the student who may never look at the issue or theme of the book in the same light again.) - The book has the potential to build a community by sharing in the common experience of reading and discussing the book.
Other factors that may be important in looking at the Common Book:
- Does it contain broad themes that cut across disciplines (global citizenship, ethnicity, environmental sustainability, etc.)?
- Is it a local or regional author (UW perhaps) or is there a regional connection or focus?
- Is the author available as speaker?
2009 UW Common Book Selection Committee
Thank you to these individuals who volunteered hours of their time to recommend the UW Common Book:
Co-Chairs
Gene Edgar, Professor, Education
Steven Oliver, Assistant Director, First Year Programs, Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Committee Members
Anis Bawarshi, Associate Professor, English
Laura Brady, Undergraduate Student
Christopher Campbell, Special Assistant to the Vice Provost of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, Faculty, Urban Design and Planning
Renanta Cummings, Undergraduate Student
Becky Francoeur, Counseling Services Coordinator, First Year Programs
Gabriel Gallardo, Associate Vice President, Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity
Jesse Garcia, Undergraduate Student
Laura Meyers, Graduate Student, Education
Carol Niccolls, Special Counsel to the President
Lisa Oberg, Head, Outreach Services, Libraries
Richard Roth, Assistant to the Chair, Geography, Graduate Advisor
Anu Taranath, Senior Lecturer, English
Ed Taylor, Vice Provost and Dean, Undergraduate Academic Affairs
Andrew Tsao, Associate Professor, School of Drama
Mark Weitzenkamp, Counseling Coordinator, Law, Societies, & Justice
Deva Wells, Undergraduate Student
Special thanks to:
Selection History
2008: The Devil's Highway: A True Story by Luis Alberto Urrea. The web site for the 2008 UW Common Book is archived here.
2007: Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature, and Climate Change by Elizabeth Kolbert. The web site for the 2007 UW Common Book is archived here.
2006: Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World by Tracy Kidder. The web site for the 2006 UW Common Book is archived here.
