University Gazette

Summer reading program still needs group leaders

The 2002 Carolina Summer Reading Program still needs leaders for small group discussions with incoming first-year students on Aug. 19 from 1 to 3 p.m. In addition to faculty, staff with college teaching or group facilitation experience are encouraged to volunteer.

A committee of faculty, students and staff, led by Robert Kirkpatrick, professor of English, has chosen Approaching the Qur'án, translated and introduced by Michael Sells, as the book for discussion.

Now in its third year, the program aims to engage students in new thought while developing a greater sense of community.

Approaching the Qur'án consists of 35 suras, or short passages from the chief holy book of Islam, that largely focus on the experience of the divine in the natural world and the principle of moral accountability in human life.

A highly regarded expert on Islamic literature, Sells provides clear translations of the original Arabic, brief commentaries on each sura and a concise introduction to the Qur'án's literary and historical context. Relying on this material, students and discussion leaders from all backgrounds will need no additional preparation for discussing this edition.

The book's selection has drawn some criticism, but Chancellor James Moeser defended the choice in a May 29 interview with National Public Radio's Morning Edition.

"The only way for us to advance as a civilization is to understand other cultures," Moeser said. "That's part of the great function of a university. And what better experience for first-year students, most of whom come from Christian or Jewish backgrounds, we assume, to begin to understand another religion as a part of their doorway into university life?"

Those interested in serving as discussion leaders should send an e-mail including name, position, department, e-mail address and phone number to the Carolina Summer Reading Program at Read@unc.edu Confirmation will be sent with instructions on how to obtain a free copy of the book. In August, all volunteers and students will receive a packet of interdisciplinary materials to assist in preparing for discussions. Meanwhile, materials related to the reading will be available at www.unc.edu/srp An optional training session will be held in early to mid-August.

For more information, contact Kathy Sutton in the Division of Student Affairs at ksutton@email.unc.edu or 966-4045.

University Gazette