Book Club January 10, 2007
Posted by damienpfister in Syllabus Construction.trackback
One possibility to pursue might be having a book club meeting. This is a fairly popular idea, and one that could yield a very interesting conversation. Some considerations:
–Should they be on the shorter side?
–Everyone could contribute one idea for a book
–Blood Diamond? Book, Their Eyes Were Watching God
–write short paper on themes of book to prompt discussion
–we could read excerpts from a book, with classroom responses
–perhaps have specific topic, not specific book
One idea I had when thinking about this class is to have an “African themed” book; something like Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart or Dave Eggers’ new What is the What.
Were we to read the Eggers book, we could also watch Lost Boys of Sudan, an interesting documentary. That would create an interesting couple of weeks.
I think if we base discussion on reading, the text should be very short. If it’s too long, we’ll spend more time reading than discussing.
I am sympathetic to the “don’t make the book too long,” but at the same time, a longer book that is interesting goes quickly (sometimes quicker than a short, boring book.) The length of a book shouldn’t be the sole determinant of what book is chosen. And who is to say how long is too long? Is 300 pages ok? 200? If we spread the assignment out over 2-3 weeks (we could do other things in the interim, and have a lighter reading load during this time) then perhaps this might address some of the “length of book” issues.
i think solely having a book club theme takes away the importance of current events, but i do think brining it in once a month, or twice the semester would be a nice change, and then we could relate it to things that have been relevant in the class, or a broader theme.
I agree, Jack–the book club wouldn’t be the focus of the semester, but it might be something different to do around the midterm.
i also agree with the book club being only once or twice in the semester, it would change the class up alittle bit and i like the idea of reading the African themed books and then watching the documentary both would lead towards much discussion and would tie everything together
me too! i think luke was right about it being short, too. yeah, it shouldn’t be the only consideration, but i’m sure someone could find a couple of really interesting essays that are short. like jack, too, i think that a longer book would become this outstanding project that, even though not the sole focus of the conversation in class (which i don’t think is a good idea), it may become this lagging project that we have to keep up with outside of class .. what would also most likely happen is that a lot of people will try to read it in the two days before our discussion, not read thoroughly, and probably not make it to the end
Ok, so let’s push this: suggest some shorter books that will grip our imaginations! Could be African themed, but doesn’t have to be!
I’m thinking that if we go ahead with the book club scenario, no matter what there will always be that slacker or two in class who just don’t read it for whatever reason and are always bringing the discussion down.
I personally think that one or two longer books can actually go by fast. I think the length of the book has nothing to do with the time it takes to read it, if it is well-written. I’m not saying I am against shorter novels, mind you. In my group, we all seemed to agree that we always put books for classes ahead of books for leisure. Wouldn’t it be nice to have a “leisure” book be a requirement for a class?
I REALLY like the idea of reading an African themed book and then watching a documentary, or a movie, like Hotel Rwanda.
I haven’t read any books on Darfur, but I would like to learn more; so, if there are any books on that, I think that would be a great topic. Any suggestions?
These are good suggestions for book club! You can learn so much about yourself by discussing how you interpret what you read!