The Common Read/Common Intellectual Experience (CIE)

The Common Read/Common Intellectual Experience (CIE) is one of the High-Impact Teaching Practices that integrates cross-disciplinary events in support of a campus-wide, shared reading of a selected text. Students enrolled in classes across the disciplines read the same text during the spring semester. Students discuss and complete assignments related to the text within their courses during the first part of the semester. The Common Read culminates in an events period during which students are invited to attend events with their peers from other classes across campus, to learn how other disciplines have approached the text. These events provide participating faculty and students additional opportunities to engage socially and academically across the campus, while supporting the learning in each individual class. 

The Common Read creates opportunities for students to make interdisciplinary and real-world connections to their learning, aswell as to build relationships with their peers and faculty across the campus. During the Fall semester, faculty from all disciplines are invited to attend workshops and discussions for incorporating the Common Read text into the curriculum and to participate in the week of Common Read events during the Spring semester. 

Common Read 2024-25

The AY 2024-25 Common Read text is King of the Armadillos by Wendy Chin-Tanner, a transcendent debut novel about family, love, and belonging, set against the backdrops of 1950s New York City and a historical leprosarium in Louisiana, following one young man’s quest to not only survive, but live a full and vibrant life. 

This year’s Common Read Events offer opportunities for students to explore connections to the book from many disciplinary approaches, including Nursing, Speech Communication and Theater Arts, Mathematics and Computer Science, Biology, Health, Physical Education, Dance and Social Sciences. Students will participate in a variety of events, including film screenings and discussions, conversations.  

Anticipated presentations include collaborative presentations between Nursing and Philosophy faculty, an open rehearsal featuring Dance students who will share their work in progress based on the book and discuss with the audience their impressions of the dance with the book, a collaborative Common Read & Academic Service- Learning campus-wide event promoting Resiliency for campus and community members, week-long talks from Social Sciences faculty and invited speakers. 

Visit Common Read 2024-25 website

The 2024-2025 Common Read Events are made possible through funding provided by the Harriet & Kenneth Kupferberg Holocaust Center (KHC), which is located on the QCC Campus. More information about the KHC can be found by clicking here.

For additional information about the Common Read program, please email Faculty Coordinator (AY 2024-25): Jody Resko (Assistant Professor, Social Sciences Department).