Preface
First-year Reading and Writing Program
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.
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This fall, first-year writing students will read The Story of More by Hope Jahren. 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. |
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Friday August 27, 2021
Session Title: Lighting the Way: A Staged Reading of Four Short Plays about the Climate CrisisSession Time: 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. |
Tuesday August 31, 2021
Session Title: Careers in Sustainability and Climate Change: Peace Corps and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)Session Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
Wednesday September 1, 2021
Session Title: Film Viewing: An Inconvenient Sequel (2017)Session Time: 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. |
Tuesday September 21, 2021
Session Title: Film Viewing: Plastic Wars (2020)Session Time: 1:40 - 2:55 p.m. |
Wednesday September 22, 2021
Session Title: Climate Narratives in Stories of Migration and Displacement from Mexico and Central AmericaSpeaker Name: Dr. Laura Barbas-Rhoden, Wofford College |
Tuesday September 28, 2021
Session Title: Climate Change Simulation GameSession Time: 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. |
Wednesday September 29, 2021
Session Title: Psychological Approaches to Sustainable BehaviorSpeaker Name: Dr. Ann Hoover, psychologySession Time: 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. |
Monday October 4-6, 2021
Session Title: Track Pick-Up StudySpeaker Name: Dr. Jack Turner, Watershed Ecology Center This is an outdoor, interactive event. Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and walking shoes. Support is provided by the South Carolina Aquarium. |
Tuesday October 12, 2021
Session Title: Film Viewing: Women's Adventure Film TourSession Time: 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. |
Wednesday October 13, 2021
Session Title: Campus Nature WalkSpeaker Name: Dr. Jonathan Storm, biology Session Time: 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. (1st walk); 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. (2nd walk) This is an outdoor, interactive event. Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and walking shoes. |
Thursday October 21, 2021
Session Title: Lessons from Bhopal: What the World's Worst Industrial Disaster Can Teach Us about Environmental Justice 37 Years LaterSpeaker Name: Dr. Renu Pariyadath, communication studies Session Time: 1:40 - 2:55 p.m. |
Wednesday November 3, 2021
Session Title: BMW's Commitment to Environmental Sustainability in the SC UpstateSession Time: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. |
Friday November 5, 2021
Session Title: Tree Planting at USC Upstate with Trees ForeverSpeaker Name: Dr. Pam Barber, biology Session Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. This is an outdoor, interactive event. Wear comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing that can get dirty. |
Wednesday November 10, 2021
Session Title: Upstate Community Garden FREE MarketSession Time: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
Wednesday November 10, 2021
Session Title: Is Climate Change Just a Liberal Hoax?Speaker Name: Dr. Jonathan Storm, biology Session Time: 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. |
Wednesday November 17, 2021
Session Title: South Carolina Environmental PolicySpeaker Name: Dr. Trevor Rubenzer, political science Session Time: 11:30 a.m. - 12:20 p.m. |