Book one program continues with author Saidiya Hartman
by Allegra Abramson | Llama Ledger Staff
Issue date: 8/16/08 Section: News
This year's book one, Lose Your Mother: A Journey Along the Atlantic Slave Route, by Saidiya Hartman, is the narrative of Hartman's journey from Ghana to the Atlantic Coast, as she traces the history of the Atlantic slave trade.
The book was independently suggested by both history professor Ryan Carey and literature professor Hal Holladay, according to Dean of Academic Affairs Sam Ruhmkorff.
Because of Simon's Rock's annual Ghana trip and general expressed interest in that area of the world, Ruhmkorrf says the book seemed like an excellent choice.
During workshop week, Hartman will come to Simon's Rock to speak to the first-years. "She'll give her talk, there will be a question and answer, there will be a reception," Ruhmkorrf says. "It's pretty simple. She was the first person we asked."
Ruhmkorff says he and the other faculty have known since October Hartman was the author whose book the first-years would read and who would come to speak. "It just seemed so perfect; we asked her a long time ago."
The book one program began in 2005, for several reasons, according to Ruhmkorff.
"There were several motivations. One, it gets students thinking about and excited about college before they get here, and it gives them reading to do which gives them the habit."
The book one program also gives each class a book which is unique to it. "It's a community event, and many faculty and staff get the book one and read it. It's also a unique experience for each class, whereas in the general education seminars the books are usually the same year to year. This is always different."
The book one authors have also been selected as an attempt to add to the diversity of perspective, Ruhmkorff says, "and I think we've done pretty well with that."
Contact the author: aabramson@llamaledger.com
The book was independently suggested by both history professor Ryan Carey and literature professor Hal Holladay, according to Dean of Academic Affairs Sam Ruhmkorff.
Because of Simon's Rock's annual Ghana trip and general expressed interest in that area of the world, Ruhmkorrf says the book seemed like an excellent choice.
During workshop week, Hartman will come to Simon's Rock to speak to the first-years. "She'll give her talk, there will be a question and answer, there will be a reception," Ruhmkorrf says. "It's pretty simple. She was the first person we asked."
Ruhmkorff says he and the other faculty have known since October Hartman was the author whose book the first-years would read and who would come to speak. "It just seemed so perfect; we asked her a long time ago."
The book one program began in 2005, for several reasons, according to Ruhmkorff.
"There were several motivations. One, it gets students thinking about and excited about college before they get here, and it gives them reading to do which gives them the habit."
The book one program also gives each class a book which is unique to it. "It's a community event, and many faculty and staff get the book one and read it. It's also a unique experience for each class, whereas in the general education seminars the books are usually the same year to year. This is always different."
The book one authors have also been selected as an attempt to add to the diversity of perspective, Ruhmkorff says, "and I think we've done pretty well with that."
Contact the author: aabramson@llamaledger.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 1 of 1
Sheeba Bali
posted 8/18/08 @ 6:45 PM EST
Annual trip to Ghana? General expressed interest in that area? As freshmen, we haven't participated in that trip, nor do they know where we will generally express our interests. (Continued…)
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