Smith Reads

How Culture Shapes the Climate Change Debate

By Andrew J. Hoffman

Climate change—one of the most complex and urgent problems of our time—is disproportionally harming and impacting women and people of color around the world. In the 2019–20 academic year Smith embarks on a yearlong examination of climate change. Through integrative curricular and co-curricular channels, we will engage the campus on this complex topic from all of its angles, preparing us to understand better the challenges of climate change. The goal of the themed year is to reach and equip all students—no matter their backgrounds, pursuits and interests—for learning and action.

How Culture Shapes the Climate Change Debate makes a powerful case for a more scientifically literate public, a more socially engaged scientific community and a more thoughtful mode of public discourse. As a liberal arts institution, Smith emphasizes the importance of critically engaging with the world around us. As we begin a collective yearlong discussion on climate change, this book represents an important framing tool for engaging with each other and the world. 

Schedule

Faculty Facilitators’ Discussion

Thursday, August 29, 2019
211 Seelye Hall, 3–4 p.m.

Author Reading

Tuesday, September 3, 2019
John M. Greene Hall, 4:30–5:30 p.m.

In-House Discussions

Tuesday, September 3, 2019
7–8 p.m.

Why Smith Reads?

The first-year reading program at Smith has been in place since 1999. Since its inception, the program's mission has been predicated on the awareness that co-curricular activities are vital to a student's overall academic success and residential experience. Reading closely and deeply serves as a tool—a means—not an end in itself. Reading prompts participants to reflect on their own background, beliefs and experience. Engaging in reading with others provides all readers with a commonality to anchor further conversation.

While long-form written texts (books) comprise the basis of most first-year reading experiences, other forms of "texts," such as paintings, photographs, film, poetry and works of art are also considered valuable as potential and future reads.

As a community initiative, Smith Reads operates so that all incoming students:

• are provided with a shared intellectual experience upon their arrival at Smith
• may engage in a facilitated conversation about topics of intellectual, social and/or ethical significance with their house peers
• are offered an opportunity to read and personally interact with critically acclaimed authors, scholars and artists
• can interact immediately with Smith faculty and teaching staff invested in their learning

Smith Reads enables new students to consider the college’s essential capacities that are designed to guide their education. Close readings of the chosen text enhance the attributes we espouse as a liberal arts college, where we value critical thinking, respectful conversation, attentive listening and articulating ideas and thoughts.