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 Educated, a memoir by Tara Westover. This award-winning first book explores the themes of education from the author's childhood in a survivalist family through her college experience far away from home. 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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Wednesday September 16, 20
Session Title: Education: How Do We Rise and Uplift Others? (Panel)Session Time: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. |
Tuesday September 22, 2020
Session Title: Faith in EducatedSpeaker Name: Dr. Dave Damrel, professor of religious studies Session Time: 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. |
Wednesday September 30, 2020
Session Title: Micro and Macro Aggressions in EducatedSpeaker Name: Dr. Colleen O'Brien, professor of English Session Time: 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. |
Wednesday October 7, 2020
Session Title: The Ghost of Ruby Ridge and White NationalismSpeaker Name: Dr. Nick Gaffney, dir. of the Center for African American Studies |
Wednesday October 14, 2020
Session Title: Anti-Vaccine Conspiracy TheoriesSpeaker Name: Dr. Vincent Connors, professor of biology |
Wednesday October 28, 2020
Session Title: Homeschooling as Responsible EducationSpeaker Name: Dr. Kendra Allison, asst. prof. of nursing Session Time: 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. |
Wednesday November 11, 2020
Session Title: Midwives and the Care They ProvideSpeaker Name: Dr. Lynette Gibson, assoc. dean, Mary Black School of NursingSession Time: 5:00 - 6:00 p.m. |
Tuesday November 17, 2020
Session Title: Study Abroad: Life-long Personal, Professional and Community BenefitsSpeaker Name: Dr. Alex Akulli, dir. of International Studies |
Wednesday November 18, 2020
Session Title: 21st-Century Autocracy and Indoctrination: The WaveSpeaker Name: Dr. Alex Lorenz, asst. prof., German |