Common Reading Program
Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement
Resources for Working with Born a Crime
For faculty using Born a Crime in first-year and other courses throughout the 2020-21 academic year, there are a wide array of resources available to supplement or augment your teaching.
Be sure to also check the Common Reading calendar page for the latest updates on scheduled speakers and events that are offered to students outside of classes. Any questions or suggestions should be directed to Karen Weathermon, director of the Common Reading Program, at kweathermon@wsu.edu.
Resources from WSU
- WSU Library Guide to Born a Crime: Provides an introduction to the book along with several resources to help readers engage with and further explore its content and ideas.
- WSU Library Guide on Anti-Racist Resources: Presents some starting points and resources for learning about and engaging in anti-racism. Includes resource lists from black scholars, journalists, and activists as well as allies.
Resources from the Publisher
The following guides to Born a Crime have been provided by the book’s publisher, Penguin Random House.
Resources from Trevor Noah
- Breaking Big: Trevor Noah. PBS Episode of “Breaking Big” featuring Trevor Noah that details how he got to the Daily Show. (26 min.)
- Long 2016 Q&A interviews on YouTube with Noah about the book, moderated by Cory Booker (for DC Bookstore, Politics and Prose) and Matt Ford (for The Guardian):
- Other relevant video clips:
Websites with Information on South Africa
- Nelson Mandela International Day: 18 July
- South African History Archive (SAHA): Archive for Justice
- Nelson Mandela Center of Memory (located in Johannesburg)
- Nelson Mandela Foundation
- Syracuse University Libraries research guide to Born a Crime (2018-19)
- South Africa: Overcoming Apartheid, Building Democracy (teaching guide created by Michigan State, includes unit material on the origins of apartheid, primary sources, activity ideas, links to resources)