University of Arizona
Tier2-8: Themed Semester or Year

In the Fall of 2008, the students from the Honors College chose the book Ishmael: An Adventure of Mind and Body as common reading for incoming Honors students. The book was given out to all Honors Students as part of New Student Orientation. Students who chose the book designed a series of fall activities starting with a summer blog about the book. The semester begins with a week-long, free film series in Gallagher theater. The Honors Forum lunch series focused on the issue of sustainability all semester featuring Professor Guy McPherson focusing on sustainability themes in the common reading; Professor Paul Wilson focusing on food sustainability; Professor Sharon Megdal focusing on Water in the Southwest; and Professsor Annie Nequette focusing on sustainability in architecture. In addition to a response contest, poetry readings, book discussion groups, and community service projects, the Common Reading program culminated in a presentation at the Honors College Convocation during Family Weekend by Professor Jonathon Overpeck, Director of the UA Institute for the Study of Planet Earth, Sustainability and Global Change. The convocation provided an opportunity for all UA families and students to learn about ecological and social issues facing our planet and to be inspired to make changes in our own human behavior that will impact the environment. The Honors College changes the theme each year, but the topics typically deal with self awareness, breaking stereotypes, and broadening horizons on current topics of interest.