CONNECTIONS 2004 SUMMER LITERATURE EXPERIENCE
Fall semester 2004 is about to begin at Utah State University and first-year students enrolling in the Connections course have been asked to read a book before coming to campus. This “Summer Literature Experience” was created to immediately bring all Connections students into an intellectual experience similar to their future activities at Utah State, according to Noelle Call, director of Utah State’s Academic Resource Center.
Members of the general public, as well as all Utah State students, faculty and staff can participate in the experience via a Connections Convocation Aug. 24.
Connections is a course specifically designed to ease freshman students’ transition to Utah State University and to prepare them for their academic experience. Each fall over half the freshman class arrive a week early to become familiar with the university environment, meet faculty members, begin friendships and participate in many activities.
“By participating in the Summer Literature Experience, students establish a common experience with other new students that will help develop a sense of community with their new environment and introduce them to a part of the academic life they are beginning at Utah State University,” Call said. “Additional classroom discussions will provide opportunities to discuss ideas intelligently, confront issues that may affect one personally and look for ways to find solutions to problems. This program is an exciting innovation in the Connections program and has involved central administration, deans, associate deans, faculty and staff in the planning and support of the literature experience.”
For the first Summer Literature Experience, the Connections committee selected “A Hope in the Unseen: An American Odyssey from the Inner City to the Ivy League” by Ron Suskind.
“This book was chosen because it explores a student’s transition from high school to the university environment,” Call said.
Although the book’s main character, Cedric Jennings, was from an inner city environment and high school and entered a prestigious Ivy League college, students entering Utah State will be able to relate to many of the transitional issues he faced, Call said. Additionally, students will read about an individual who faced many challenges as a student with potential in a suppressive inner city school district, and how he was able to rise above these obstacles to graduate from Brown University.
At Utah State, the classroom discussions will focus on his character, determination and strategies that made him a success, Call continued. In addition, students enrolled in English 1010 will use the book as part of the course writings and discussions.
On Tuesday, Aug. 24, all are invited to attend the Connections Convocation at 10:30 a.m. in the Kent Concert Hall of the Chase Fine Arts Center on campus. Guest speaker is the central character of “The Hope in the Unseen,” Cedric Jennings. He will speak about his experiences, focusing on how he was able to achieve at a high academic level despite the obstacles he faced. After the presentation, Jennings will be available for questions. He will also speak to students attending Utah State’s Fall Leadership Academy.
For more information about Connections, contact Call at (435) 797-1194.
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