New Student Book Experience: Current Book

UMBC’s New Student Book Experience
August 2009

WHAT? Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin

WHY? To introduce you to academic life at UMBC, and to the way in which diverse disciplines in the arts and sciences are interrelated. Also, to give you the opportunity to meet other first year students and make connections with faculty.

WHEN? Throughout your first year at UMBC. Discussion sessions will be held during Welcome Week.

WHERE? Welcome Week--locations to be announced--and in your English 100 class.

HOW? Buy the book (available in the UMBC Bookstore on the first floor of the Commons for 30% off list price) and read it over the summer. (Here are some hints for reading.)

• Join the New Student Book Discussion Board.
• Participate in discussion groups during Welcome Week, which are lead by faculty and staff volunteers. There, you’ll discuss the topics in The Glass Castle and try to tackle the questions it raises about our society and its current ethical climate.
• Also, you’ll have the opportunity to discuss and write about the book in English 100, and to enter the Book Experience Writing Contest Details for the 2009-2010 contest are to be announced, but until then, please read summaries of the 2008-2009 winning essays.