Book Discussions sponsored by the Center for Faculty Innovation are intended to provide an opportunity for faculty from across campus to read and discuss a book related to higher education teaching or scholarship. An announcement is distributed in late Fall and after participants are selected, books are distributed prior to the semester break. Book discussion times are scheduled during the Spring semester and participants are provided with a series of questions for exploration and/or reflection. Discussions stimulate a lively cross-disciplinary interchange of ideas and an opportunity to get to know JMU colleagues.
The 2007 Faculty Book Discussion is Full.
We are no longer accepting applications.
Click here to view pictures from this year's Faculty Book Discussion 
The Missing Professor
An Academic Mystery by Thomas B. Jones
A book, colleagues, wine, and cheese… just the right mix for the 2007 Faculty Book Discussion sponsored by the JMU Center for Faculty Innovation. You are invited to apply now. The program is limited to the first 30 applicants.
This year’s book is the Missing Professor, an academic murder mystery. It is a fun read that also raises important questions about the ways universities function and don’t. The discussions will model innovative pedagogical strategies to help us make connections with the reading and imagine solutions to some of the seemingly intractable problems that faculty face throughout the course of their careers. Participants will have an opportunity to consider how the instructional strategies might be incorporated into their own teaching.
WHEN & WHERE: 3:30-5 pm on Fridays (January 19, February 2, February 16) in Allegheny Room of Festival Conference Center. Participants should be available for and plan to attend all three sessions.
FACILITATORS: Karyn Sproles (English pedagogy and systems theory)
Gretchen Hazard (theatre, communications, & performative pedagogy)
HOW IT WORKS: 30 participants will receive a copy of the book in early December for reading prior to the first meeting on January 19th.
Update: The 2007 Faculty Book Discussion is Full.
Click here to view pictures from this year's Faculty Book Discussion
Fridays from 3:30-5:00 in Allegheny Room at Festival Center
January 19, 2007
February 2, 2007
February 16, 2007
(weather make-up date March 16, 2007).
Previous Books:
> Spring 2006: "What the Best College Teachers Do" by Ken Bain.
> Spring 2005: "The Courage to Teach" by Parker J. Palmer.