PULLMAN, Wash., March 31 -- Washington State University issued the following news release:
You don't have to be a rocket scientist to understand the newly selected common reading book for freshmen at Washington State University-"Physics for Future Presidents: The Science Behind the Headlines," by UC Berkeley Professor Richard A. Muller.
That's partly why it was chosen. While the book covers five complex, contemporary issues- terrorism, energy, "nukes," space and global warming, with a "Presidential Summary" concluding each set of chapters-it is written so that every reader can find it understandable.
Muller looks at history, misinformation and hype while helping the reader balance those with a scientific approach. The physics professor's book, in fact, is based on his own renowned course at Berkeley for non-science majors.
The book for 2011-12 was chosen by Provost and Executive Vice President Warwick M. Bayly for two main reasons.
"First, I believe it presents science-based information in a way that every student in any major will find understandable and helpful," he said. "Having the ability to generally understand the science behind all kinds of daily issues will help them benefit the world at large as they take their place in the global community.
"Second, the subject of the book is in line with what we are hearing from faculty at WSU, as well as from national organizations-that any undergraduate education must enable students to develop some level of scientific literacy from their studies," Bayly said.
In fact, scientific literacy has been added as a seventh learning goal in the most recent University Common Requirements proposal to revise general education at WSU, which is open for discussion and will be voted on by the Faculty Senate in April.
The book will be used by more than 3,000 freshmen in first-year classes starting this fall. The Common Reading Program is part of the University College at WSU.
"The books nominated were marvelous," said Susan Poch, associate dean of the University College, co-director of the Common Reading Program and head of its book selection committee. "Each one offered a wealth of topics that would introduce our newest students to the expectations of college and critical thinking and stimulate superb dialogue across disciplines."
Poch and co-director Karen Weathermon, director of Learning Communities and Freshman Focus, soon will begin the process of contacting the publisher, working on orders and costs, and contacting the author of the common reading book.
"The real fun begins as we plan for fall and spring semesters," said Weathermon. "It's always interesting to learn how faculty and staff will use the book in courses and in residence hall programming.
"We also anticipate greater numbers of researchers and experts to embrace this year's book and create presentations at the popular Common Reading Tuesdays lecture series," she said.
"Physics for Future Presidents" is the fifth book in as many years chosen as the common reading for freshmen. The program has grown tremendously in popularity as well as in its reach across the university, Weathermon said.
The 2010-11 common reading, "Stones into Schools" by Greg Mortenson, is being used in dozens of sections of many courses across several academic colleges. Nearly 3,000 people attended the author's lecture in January at WSU Pullman.
"Our Common Reading Tuesdays lecture series, featuring presentations by community guests and WSU faculty researchers and experts on topics related to the book, has reached new popularity among students," Weathermon said. "Through February, those presentations had achieved a total audience topping 3,000."
"I commend everyone who submitted the name of a book this year to be considered," Poch said, "and also the work of the Common Reading Program's book selection committee for its outstanding work once again."
Information and videos about "Physics for Future Presidents" and Muller are plentiful throughout the Internet. For more information about the Common Reading Program at WSU, visit http://CommonReading.wsu.edu. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
Beverly Makhani, 509/335-6679, Makhani@wsu.edu.
No comments:
Post a Comment