The Freshman Common Reading Program: Selection Criteria

In choosing the six finalists for our pilot Freshman Common Reading Program, we were looking for a wonderful book that was well-written, that had broad appeal across academic disciplines and individual interests, that would bring freshmen together as part of the campus community, and that would resonate with the unique characteristics of Cal State Northridge as a particular place and site for learning. As we talked about the books and debated which title we would choose, we developed selection criteria in the form of a series of questions:

• Does this book engage freshmen, and draw them into reading and reflection?
• Does this book encourage freshmen to grow intellectually?
• Does this book encourage thought and discussion in a variety of courses and contexts?
• Does this book value diverse cultural perspectives?
• Does this book address contemporary social issues?

Making our final decision was not easy. The discussions were intense; opinions were contested; arguments raged; votes were taken and retaken; and nobody—-not one person—-was bored. In the end, we agreed that The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien met all our criteria.

When we began the process of choosing the book for 2008-2009, we reaffirmed these criteria and selected Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting by in America by Barbara Ehrenreich. In selecting The Soloist by Steve Lopez as our book for 2009-2010, the new committee likewise reaffirmed these criteria. We have edited the list slightly to guide our selection for 2010-2011 by dividing what had been the fourth and final bullet point so that there are now five criteria.