New Student Reading Project

Purpose:

The New Student Reading Project is designed to introduce first-year students to the intellectual life of WSU Vancouver. This project involves reading the chosen book over the summer, and then participating in discussions and events with select faculty, staff, and other students in the fall. The New Student Reading Project is an opportunity for new students to be exposed to the current campus theme, Global Change in a Local Context, as well as the rigors of college course work.

Goals:

The goals of the New Student Reading Project are to have new students begin to understand better the culture of a university academic environment, expectations and relationships with faculty; to have students start to make connections between the reading, the campus theme, and their courses; to enhance a sense of community between students, faculty and staff; and to provide a common experience for incoming students.

2008-2009 Book Selection

The 2008-2009 New Student Reading Project book will be Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin. First-year students will receive their free copy of the book during their respective Registration, Orientation, Advising and Resources (ROAR) session.

Students should complete their reading of Three Cups of Tea over the summer and come to campus in the fall ready to participate in in-class and extra-curricular discussions and other events related to the book.

Study Questions

  1. At the Kuardu School inauguration, the Cleric Syed Abba implored America to "look into our [Muslims'] hearts...and see that the great majority of us are not terrorists, but good and simple people" (pg. 257). In what ways has Three Cups of Tea challenged your perspectives of Islam or the Muslim world? What have you learned from the book?

  2. Why does Mortenson focus or emphasize providing education to girls? How does educating girls in particular affect communities in Pakistan?

  3. What are some ways that "community" manifests itself in Three Cups of Tea? How effective are these various "communities" in achieving their goals?

  4. In a Parade article, Greg Mortenson stated that "if [Americans] try to resolve terrorism with military might and nothing else...then we will be no safer than we were before 9/11. If we truly want a legacy of peace for our children, we need to understand that this is a war that will ultimately be won with books, not with bombs" (pg. 301). Is building schools a more practical approach to fighting terrorism than war? What are some of the unanticipated consequences and/or impacts of Mortenson's work?

  5. Do you feel that Greg Mortenson is an "ordinary person"? Do you feel that any person can make a difference with the right passion and commitment?

  6. Thousands of madrassas offer free room and board and education in areas that Pakistan's educational system does not reach. Of the 2 million Pakistani students taught in various madrassas, over eighty thousand become Taliban recruits (pg. 243). Should schools remain politically and religiously neutral? Can they be? Can this situation be compared to other historical events?

Related Resources


Three Cups of Tea Website

Synopses & Reviews from Powells.com