Common Reading Experience

Students, faculty, and staff will read "Claiming and Education" written by Adrienne Rich.  We also ask that you watch the TedTalk "How we can face the future without fear, together" by Rabbi Lord Jonathon Sacks. During Welcome Week, students will be invited to participate in group dialogue regarding the essay and video.  In the past, students, staff, and faculty have gathered for a shared meal and discussion; this year, we will most likely need to make adjustments due to COVID-19.  Updates regarding this will be sent out as soon as a decision is made.  
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Essay link: http://net-workingworlds.weebly.com/uploads/1/5/1/5/15155460/rich-claiming_an_education-1.pdf
Video link: ​https://youtu.be/AMVgX8cXsHA 

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Adrienne Rich
Each academic year, Siena Heights University chooses an academic theme to serve as the focus of each year. The academic theme selected for this year is on Seek Truth. As incoming first year students, transition to college can be a significant change. 

After you read the essay and watch the video, it may help to respond to the following questions in order to help prepare you for discussion (keep in mind that you cannot be right or wrong in your responses--this is your opinion, which will grow and change with you over time.  We encourage your honesty): 

1) What elements of the essay do you deem "true"? 
2) How do you establish truth? Is it based on evidence? Personal experience? Both? 
3) This speech was given at a commencement at a women's college.  How can the          message be inclusive to all genders? 
4) Do you agree that you must "claim" an education? Why or why not? Is it a right? A      privilege? 
5) Regarding the video, please respond to the following: 
     a) In what ways do you practice the "us of relationship"
     b) In what ways do you practice the "us of identity"? 
     c) In what ways do you practice the "us of responsibility?" 
     d) This video was recorded in 2018--how is it relevant to 2020 and what we're                   facing now? 
6) Did any aspect of the essay or the video connect with you? 

Note: these questions are not a formal assignment to be turned in, but a way to help you understand the material and prepare for discussion.  The formal assignment can be found under Summer Assignment