Global warming chosen for common reading, discussion
Administrators hope topic will foster intellectual interchange and raise awareness of woldwide problems
When students from the class of 2011 receive their information packets in a few weeks, they will find among their ESTHER registration forms a book titled Field Notes from a Catastrophe: Man, Nature and Climate Change — this year’s common reading for new students. Written by Elizabeth Kolbert, Field Notes uses global climatology to demonstrate the existence and threat of global warming. Each new student, Orientation Week adviser, and coordinator and academic fellow will receive a free copy. Adviser to the Dean of Undergraduates Matt Taylor said a committee of faculty, administrators and students narrowed down the book from a larger pool based on its relevance to the Rice community, its interdisciplinar y appeal and an expected low level of controversy. The committee also considered books about medical technology and Afghanistan after September 11. The Dean of Undergraduates’ Office introduced common readings last year with a series of articles on advocacy and objectivity, and scientific theor y. Designed to facilitate academic discussions among students, the articles were tied to a series of forums moderated by university professors. The articles were poorly received — no students attended the fi rst discussion, and none of the 40 students at the second forum had read the articles. Taylor said the university plans to organize moderated discussion groups and similar events to provide a forum for discussion. Although a schedule has not yet been finalized, he said the residential colleges’ academic fellows will likely lead some discussions, with a possible lunchtime meeting led by faculty during O-Week. Taylor also said he hopes to be able to integrate Field Notes into energy-saving competitions between the north and south colleges, as well as into discussions about the future of sustainable energy and McMurtr y and the 11th Colleges as green buildings. Taylor said Rice is interested in having Kolbert give a lecture about her book but was unable to schedule an appearance during the fall semester.
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