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Common Reading Program Division of Academic Engagement and Student Achievement

Gender-based violence topic of WSU Common Reading speaker Amber Morczek Sept. 7

Pullman, Wash. — The Washington State University Common Reading Program hosts a lecture on the connection between rape culture and violence towards women Wed., Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. in CUE 203.  Criminal justice and criminology doctoral candidate Amber Morczek will speak about the pervasiveness of gender-based violence at the free public presentation.

A recipient of the 2016 inaugural Student Affairs Outstanding Student Award, Morczek’s research interests include violence toward women, rape culture, and pornography. She currently works with WSU Violence Prevention Programs educating students, faculty, and staff about gender-based violence, and the importance of bystander intervention.  Morczek’s delves into many issues similar to those experienced by Malala Yousafzai, author of this year’s common reading book, I am Malala. At the Common Reading Lecture, Morczek will cover the significance of rape culture and how a cultural framework that normalizes and condones violence against women impacts our society.  » More …

WSU common reading becomes system-wide shared initiative for 2016-17

PULLMAN, Wash.—What connects two books, six campuses, dozens of faculty from diverse disciplines, and thousands of first-year students at all Washington State University campuses?

Answer: the institution’s common reading program, or programs, to be precise.

While student learning and engagement has benefited for more than a decade thanks to common readings, the upcoming academic year will see more collaboration and cohesion among efforts at multiple campuses.

“Common reading programs across the WSU system have long had many touchpoints with each other in terms of books and programming, but we are embarking on an initiative for 2016-17 that represents a very focused, shared initiative,” said Karen Weathermon, program co-director at the main campus and director of First-Year Programs.  “This is an evolutionary milestone that we believe will have even more impact on students and their education.” » More …

“The Downward Spiral of Addiction and the Journey Out” hosted by the WSU Common Reading Program April 18

Pullman, Wash. The Washington State University Common Reading Program hosts Noel Vest to discuss “The Downward Spiral of Addiction and the Journey Out: Prison, Academia, and Recovery” at 5 p.m. in CUE 203.  This lecture is free and open to the public.

An experimental psychology Ph.D. student and WSU Tri-Cities alumnus, Vest will detail his life experiences and the perspective they lend to this year’s conversation surrounding the year’s Common Reading book, “Just Mercy.” » More …

WSU selects “I Am Malala” as the 2016-17 Common Reading book in Pullman

PULLMAN, Wash.—Washington State University has named the best-selling “I Am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban” as the 2016-17 common reading for first-year and other students in Pullman, Interim Co-Provost Erica Austin has announced.

Austin chose “I Am Malala” from three books recommended by the selection committee of the Common Reading Program, part of WSU Undergraduate Education. » More …

Schools, Youth, and the Criminal (In)Justice System

Pullman, Wash.- The Washington State University Common Reading Program hosts a lecture by John Lupinacci at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday Nov. 17 in Todd 116.  The event is free and open to the public.

The session will accompany this overview of youth in prisons by posing questions for audience participants to discuss.  Often such presentations can leave us feeling powerless; however, this session will culminate by providing audience participants with opportunities to connect with regional and national efforts to reform and/or abolish the systemic incarceration of youth through the school-to-prison pipeline. » More …

“Prison State” film showing Nov. 9

Pullman, Wash. – The Washington State University Common Reading program is hosting a showing of the 2014 Frontline television documentary “Prison State”, Monday Nov. 9 from 4:30 – 6 p.m. in Heald G3.

“Prison State” follows four people caught up in Kentucky’s criminal justice system.  The two teenage girls and two adult men featured in the film liven in Beecher Terrace, a housing project in Louisville, where one out of every six people cycle in and out of prison every year.  Juvenile detention, mental illness, and addiction are highlighted as they contribute to the prison population. » More …

Award-winning “Broken on All Sides” film featured at Sept. 15 WSU Common Reading event

Pullman, Wash. – “Broken on All Sides,” a film about racial inequality within America’s criminal justice system, will be shown at 7 p.m. Tues., Sept. 15, in room 203 of the Smith Center for Undergraduate Education at Washington State University. The public is welcome at this free event hosted by the Common Reading Program. » More …

From Mendel’s garden to DNA fingerprinting topic of Sept. 8 WSU Common Reading lecture by Brian Kemp

PULLMAN, Wash.—How did 19th century monk Gregor Mendel’s observations of pea plants lead to DNA analysis used in forensic sciences today?

Washington State University molecular anthropologist Brian Kemp will introduce aspects of DNA and the human genome structure at a free public lecture set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8 in room 203 of the Smith Center for Undergraduate Education. » More …

Criminology Professor Faith Lutze discusses the evolving American prison at 4:30 p.m. Tues. Sept. 1 WSU Common Reading event

PULLMAN, Wash.—What’s good and bad about how we use prisons to achieve criminal justice goals?

Washington State University Professor Faith Lutze will discuss “The Evolving American Prison: Executing the Ideals of Justice, Mercy, and Redemption” at a free public lecture 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, in room 203 of the Smith Center for Undergraduate Education. » More …

Issues of Food Waste Topic of April 14 WSU Common Reading Presentation by Local Restaurateur, Educator Jim Harbour

PULLMAN, Wash.—What happens to that meat gristle and vegetable clump left on your plate at the neighborhood eatery last evening? “Issues of Food Waste” will be addressed by Southfork Public House and Porch Light Pizza entrepreneur Jim Harbour at the final Common Reading Tuesdays lecture April 14 at Washington State University. » More …