Author: Nona Gronert
On Sept. 4, first-years attended the presentation by Michael Shermer on the summer reading, “Angels and Ages” by Adam Gopnik. The summer reading was selected by English and Comparative Literary Studies (ECLS) Professor Martha Ronk, Biology Professor Gretchen North and History Professor Matthew Osborn. Martha Ronk headed the committee which initially met in the Spring Semester of 2009 and later included Andrew DeBlock (senior).
Initially, they had no specific goal in mind other than to find a summer reading that would provide a shared academic experience among the first years. “We try to find things that sort of fit with the mission of Occidental,” Ronk said. The committee talked and emailed numerous other Occidental faculty for suggestions and then began the long reading process. “We did a lot of reading,” Ronk said.
The committee reviewed many books, such as a book about computers and technology. According to Ronk, one of the committee members mentioned that 2009 was the bicentennial of Darwin and Lincoln; they then decided that a book about or by Darwin and/or Lincoln would be ideal.
The committee considered Gopnik’s book because they felt it could be of interest to a variety of students. “We thought it would appeal to students in the sciences as well as the humanities,” Osborn said.
Additionally, there was potential for first-years to continue to return to the book’s subject matter throughout the year. “What we thought was that in the past when they had books in the summer there hasn’t been much follow-up,” Ronk said. Along with Shermer’s presentation on Darwin on the first day of classes, a Lincoln lecture will take place in January that will serve to incorporate the book into the first-years’ curriculum.
However, first-years had mixed reactions to “Angels and Ages.” “The topic was interesting but the actual writing was kind of dry,” Marilyn Bran (first-year) said. “I wanted a different book like ‘Why Darwin Matters.'”
“I liked it and thought it was interesting,” Dana Coffman (first-year) said.Both Ronk and Osborn liked “Angels and Ages.” “I had reservations but ultimately I thought the book was a good choice,” Osborn said. Osborn added that he thought this idea resounded with undergraduates coming to college and having to change their preconceptions.
“I wish it were an easier task to get something that is just perfect for everyone,” Ronk said.
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