The Common Read Experience

Building a Bearcat perspective together

ÂÌñÉç is excited to continue the common read experience for all incoming first-year students. The program allows students to gain new perspectives on the most important issues of our days: embracing diversity, striving for unity and seeking justice for all. The common read enables students to build connections to the campus community through talks over the summer and programming, activities and events when they arrive on campus. 

Zoom discussion sessions with Collegiate Professors took place in July and August, providing an introduction to the program. The bulk of common read programming took place in person during B-Welcome Week and will continue throughout the fall semester, providing a chance for all new students to participate. Moreover, many first-year students’ courses are integrating the book into their curricula. While we hope everyone joins us, this program is highly recommended but not mandatory.

Image: Conditional Citizens by Laila Lalami
Conditional Citizens by Laila Lalami
Conditional Citizens: On Belonging in America
by Laila Lalami

In Conditional Citizens, award-winning Moroccan-born novelist Laila Lalami explores what it means to be an American, by reflecting upon her own life story and immigration to the United States. Her personal and individual story has great resonance for anyone who has embarked on a migration far from home, whether across the globe or across the state, and has sought to find a sense of belonging. 

This common read brings to light pressing issues regarding social and economic inequality, border politics, gender discrimination, religious prejudice and other concerns sure to inspire important, lively, and engaging discussions and debates across the University.

After considering almost 100 options, including many that were suggested by ÂÌñÉç students, faculty and staff, a special committee selected Conditional Citizens by Lalami, a Pulitzer Prize finalist. This book was selected because it speaks powerfully about some of the key concerns of the present day — inequality, diversity, and belonging. Laila Lalami takes a fresh and unexplored angle on these issues, by looking across the dimensions of race, class, gender, religion and national origin. Conditional Citizens is challenging in its treatment of America and its complex history, while also being readable and fully connected to the richness of the human experience. 

This book will inspire many different responses and undoubtedly spark disagreement and debate about these important, yet contentious issues. Indeed, this book is intended as a starting point for a continuing conversation about the most pressing problems that our society faces. It is our hope that ÂÌñÉç’s next generation of students will be ready to take on these persistent concerns with graciousness, compassion, intelligence and fairness. And we hope that all students will want to read it as new members of a University with the motto: "From breadth, to depth, to perspective."

For more information and to listen to an excerpt read by Laila Lalami,  


Upcoming Events


Contact information

Students with questions should email their collegiate professors:

Common Read Experience steering committee:

Megan Benson, lead instruction and outreach librarian

Sean Fenty, director of the writing initiative

Jonathan Karp, associate professor/undergraduate director of Judaic studies

Pete Nardone, director of The Union

Stephen Ortiz, assistant vice provost for academic enrichment and executive director ÂÌñÉç University Scholars Program

Kelli K. Smith, assistant vice president for student success

Betsy Staff, director of new student programs

Ryan Yarosh, senior director of media and public relations


Submit a question
 

Accommodations: Students wishing to request accommodations to ensure their equitable access and participation in the common read experience should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office. The office is located in the University Union room 119, and they can be contacted at 607-777-2686.