Preface is a first-year reading program that introduces students to the joy of reading critically and using academic disciplines and methods to approach the complex issues in our communities, nation, and world. Preface combines guided reading of a common book with special events and discussions, in which students engage questions raised by the book with university, community and national experts. We read, think and talk together in order to see how concentrated, research-based attention to any subject can bring new solutions to light.
First-year students read the Preface text in English 101 and most University 101 courses and attend related events throughout the fall semester.
While Preface is geared primarily toward first-year students, it offers a calendar of events that are relevant to a wide range of university courses as well as the community. Events are planned in close cooperation with USC Upstate departments and organizations and are free and open to the public.
This fall, first-year writing students will read Educated, a memoir by Tara Westover. This award-winning first book explores the themes of education from the author's childhood in a survivalist family through her college experience far away from home. Preface GoalsThe intent of this series of programs is to help USC Upstate first-year students make connections to each other and to the university and community, to practice skills and explore ideas that contribute to success in college, and to discuss how a deeper understanding of a shared reading can inform the way we make personal decisions and influence public policy today. |
The Spartanburg County Library also has copies of this book to check out.
This includes audio and e-book versions.
Session Time: 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Location: Blackboard Collaborate Virtual Meeting Space
https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/ad1f2cdc44994a7a99b4b4df7e592e04
+1-571-392-7650
PIN: 264 488 4485
Speaker Name: Dr. Dave Damrel, professor of Religious Studies
Session Time: 1:30 - 3:00 pm
Location: Blackboard Collaborate Virtual Meeting Space
https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/44ffdf0221f34bdb995bc00b99b43e60
+1-571-392-7650
PIN: 515 472 7668
Speaker Name: Dr. Colleen O'Brien, professor of English
Session Time: 6:00 - 7:00 pm
Location: Blackboard Collaborate Virtual Meeting Space
https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/773be99333724e85a47fa4a1f741487a
+1-571-392-7650
PIN: 160 235 4707
Speaker Name: Dr. Nick Gaffney, Director of the Center for African American Studies
Session Time: 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Location: Blackboard Collaborate Virtual Meeting Space
https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/9aa9870f504940f1806a1b0db715177c
+1-571-392-7650
PIN: 559 079 1819
Speaker Name: Dr. Vincent Connors, professor of Biology
Session Time: 5:00 - 7:00 pm
Location: Blackboard Collaborate Virtual Meeting Space
https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/ea46df17449e4e93b7d963176c8ad479
+1-571-392-7650
PIN: 567 049 9737
Speaker Name: Dr. Kendra Allison, assistant professor of Nursing
Session Time: 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Location: Blackboard Collaborate Virtual Meeting Space
https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/424ef50a2eb34322a0aabc3f47a54888
+1-571-392-7650
PIN: 600 421 3029
Speaker Name: Dr. Lynette Gibson, associate dean, Mary Black School of Nursing
Session Time: 5:00 - 6:00 pm
Location: Blackboard Collaborate Virtual Meeting Space
https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/7560db779eea4e99aea165d9c6304504
+1-571-392-7650
PIN: 522 411 6714
Speaker Name: Dr. Alex Lorenz, assistant professor of German
Session Time: 2:30 - 3:30 pm
Location: Blackboard Collaborate Virtual Meeting Space
https://us.bbcollab.com/guest/5036fc01113b4cbcb3fa316821d9f84b
+1-571-392-7650
PIN: 672 384 7117