First Year Reading Project

The First Year Reading Project is designed to establish a sense of common knowledge and purpose as students move into their first year in the University Honors Program as members of the Honors Living Learning Community. Started in 2006, the goals of the project are to present a challenging and engaging text which will provide insight into an important issue and bring faculty, administrators, staff, Honors student mentors and new students together outside of a traditional classroom setting. The text is the foundation for a series of programming events during Welcome Week.

The First Year Reading Project kicks off with a panel of NU faculty who open our conversation related to the themes in the selected reading and reflect on how these themes interface with their own academic disciplines. Students then break out into small groups to discuss the book. These discussions allow participants to provide different perspectives on the reading and are all part of the preparation for the author's visit to campus.

How to Prepare for the First Year Reading Project

The first step in preparing for an active role in the first year reading project is to read the selected text prior to your arrival for Welcome Week. You will receive a copy of this book during your summer orientation.

As you read the book, think of concerns, questions or comments that you might contribute to the conversation about the book in your break-out group.

Finally, realize that this common book is the way that we begin to establish a connection to all members of the first year class. Our goal is to provide a lively introduction to the intellectual life of the University Honors Program though this experience.

How is the First Year book selected?

The First Year Reading Project Committee meets several times over the spring semester as they discuss possible selections and make their final recommendation. If you enjoy reading and are interested in working on the selection for next year, please contact Lauren Pouchak, Associate Director of the Honors Program at l.pouchak@neu.edu.

Previous Selections

2007 Michael Patrick MacDonald, Easter Rising: An Irish American Coming Up from Under

2006 Tracy Kidder, Mountains Beyond Mountains: The Quest of Dr. Paul Farmer, a Man Who Would Cure the World