About the Program

Common Read/Common World is a voluntary program for all USA students, particularly first-year students, that aims to:

• Improve understanding of differences and commonalities across the world 
• Develop more sophisticated understanding of values and ethics
• Increase awareness of global issues
• Gain an understanding of how to make an impact in society
• Engage in academic discourse and critical thinking
• Create a sense of community among students, faculty, staff, and the greater Mobile area

This is a voluntary learning initiative based on the shared experience of students, faculty, staff, and community members reading the same book. Events and speakers related to the book and the documentary will be scheduled throughout the academic year for the purpose of allowing readers to engage critically with the ideas and themes of the book. Students and faculty will interact with the book in a variety of academic settings. Common Read/Common World is a university-wide program that is a partnership between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs.

Selection Criteria

The Common Read/Common World Committee considers the following criteria when selecting the Common Read:

• Potential to engage students and spark discussion
• Appeal to a wide range of students
• Possibilities for classroom use among various departments, including First-Year Experience
• Inclusion of cross-cultural education, awareness, knowledge and sensitivity
• Possibilities for campus programming
• Richness of themes; interdisciplinary in nature
• Relevance to student life
• Available in paperback
• 400 pages or less

The Common Read/Common World Committee

The Common Read/Common World committee is comprised of students, faculty, staff, and administration. There are representatives from various departments within Academic Affairs and Student Affairs as well as student organizations.

How Do I Get the Book?

Students: Copies are available for purchase at the USA Bookstore and at your local bookstore. Copies are available for loan at the University Library and the Biomedical Library.

Students with Disabilities: If you are a student with a documented disability and wish to request this text in an alternate format, please contact the Center for Educational Accessibility & Disability Resources at (251) 460-7212. No alternate format copies will be supplied without proper documentation.

Faculty and Staff: Copies are available for purchase at special pricing at the USA Bookstore.  Copies are available on reserve at the University Library with USA ID.