Welcome to the Common Reading program
About the Common Reading Program
Designed to connect students to their university community, the Common Reading Program at WSU is starting its 17th year.
Thousands of first-year and additional students have used the book—or topics from it—in their classes, prompting academic discussions with their faculty, interactions with staff and students in their residence halls, and participation at special events.
The program emphasizes experiential opportunities for students to hear speakers and engage with topics related to the book. More than 30 programs are already in place for students to attend or engage in this year, thanks to partnerships with many units across the university. Check the full fall calendar for listings.
What Is a “Common Reading?”
Our program is formed around the concept of a “common reading”—a single book chosen for all incoming first-year students to read. A common reading is one way to create community connections among students, and between students and their professors, residence hall staff, and others. Topics in a selected book are examined throughout the year by members of the university community, sparking academic conversations in and beyond classrooms, highlighting WSU research and the diversity of ideas across disciplines, and introducing different ways to explore complex issues from a variety of perspectives.
Recent Program Impact
Robust common reading programming throughout the year includes expert guest lectures, stimulating events, film showings, and much more. In 2021-22, for example, the Common Reading Program…
- Hosted and collaborated with 19 other campus units system-wide to provide 92 virtual and in0person events, more than double the number of previous years.
- Students can typically select from three to five events per week to enhance their knowledge relating to book topics.