Using This I Believe in Common Reading Programs

he practice of assigning students “common reading”—asking them to read the same book simultaneously—has gained popularity in recent years as secondary schools, colleges, and universities have sought new ways to enrich the campus experience. Like similar public reading initiatives sponsored by cities, libraries, and television shows, educational common reading programs rest on a simple idea: that reading the same book brings people closer together as a community by creating common ground for discussion.

This I Believe books provide rich opportunities for students engaged in a common reading program. Reading a collection of This I Believe essays:

• encourages students to read beyond textbooks.
• enriches the campus community through exploration of personal values and beliefs.
• raises awareness and tolerance of intergenerational and cultural likenesses and differences.
• promotes civic discourse and critical thinking.
• increases student-to-student interaction.
• integrates an academic and social experience into the campus community.
• appeals to both males and females.
• has potential for strong programming opportunities beyond the reading experience, including writing, listening, and podcasting of personal essays.

This I Believe and This I Believe II have been used in the following Common Reading Programs:

All-School Read (Secondary Schools)

• Sacred Heart High School (Mass.) – 2008
• Vermont Academy – 2008
• Montgomery Bell Academy (Tenn.) – 2009
• Kimball Union Academy (N.H.) – 2010
• Newton South High School (Mass.) – 2010
• Sage Hill School (Calif.) – 2010

One Book/One Campus (College or University)

• College of DuPage (Ill.) – 2009
• Central Washington University – 2009

First-Year Experience or Summer Reading Program (College or University)

• Endicott College (Mass.) – 2008, 2010
• Lindsey Wilson College (Ky.) – 2008, 2009, 2010
• Avila University (Mo.) – 2008, 2009
• University of Central Arkansas, Honors College – 2008
• Springfield College (Mass.) – 2008
• Davidson College (N.C.) – 2008
• Bowling Green State University (Ohio) – 2009, 2010
• Eastern Illinois University – 2009, 2010
• Seton Hill University (Pa.) – 2009
• Mt. Ida College (Mass.) – 2009
• Louisburg College (N.C.) – 2009
• Ithaca College (N.Y.) – 2009
• Gainesville State College (Ga.) – 2009
• Barry University (Fla.) – 2009
• William Woods University (Mo.) – 2010
• Northern Kentucky University – 2010
• Miami University (Ohio) – 2010
• Kent State (Ohio) – 2010
• Longwood University (Va.) – 2010
• William Paterson University (N.J.) – 2010
• University of Wisconsin—Parkside – 2010
• University of Louisiana—Monroe – 2010
• Coker College (S.C.) – 2010
• Columbus State University (Ga.) – 2010
• Aquinas College (Mich.) – 2010
• Dominican College (N.Y.) – 2010
• Rosemont College (Pa.) – 2010
• Washburn University (Kans.) – 2010
• Tufts University (Mass.) – 2010
• Florida State University – 2010
• Loyola University Chicago (Ill.) – 2010

A speaking engagement with Dan Gediman is a unique way to engage students after having read This I Believe or This I Believe II.  Please contact us for more information.