First Year Reading Details

Sign-Up │ Program Description │ Preparing for your Session│ Read The DNA Age

 

First Year Reading discussions are scheduled from 1-2:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2009.

"Phenomenal! I may be biased as the "judge in my own cause," but I think the students really put their all into the session."  "My group of students was amazing!  The FROGS and I were completely blown away by how engaged they were and how many comments and questions they had.  When at the beginning of the session I asked what their initial reactions and questions were, I expected maybe 10 minutes (if that) of initial discussion and 30-35 minutes later there was finally a pause in the conversation." "I had a good time.  A little nervous at first.  It was difficult to get some of the kids to speak up, but I asked the FROGs to assist in calling on people because they knew the group a little better and then the discussion got rolling."

"We were all pleasantly surprised at how wonderful the reading tied into a great discussion.  My FROGs said it was the most animated and engaged they'd seen their group."

 "We had a really great discussion!  I think this was probably one of the better discussions I've had with freshman in all the years that I've done the First Year Reading."

Why First Year Reading?
The purpose of the First Year Reading experience is to engage students intellectually in a common experience.  All first-year students receive a copy of the reading text at summer Orientation and read the text before returning for August Orientation.  Over 125 faculty and staff facilitators lead ninety minute small group discussions with groups of thirty to thirty-five first-year students on the first full day of August Orientation (August 20, 2009).

 

This Year's Text
The First Year Reading Committee has selected The DNA Age by Amy Harmon (as published in The New York Times).  The DNA Age is a series of sixteen articles published over a span of two years that explores the intersection of genetics and technology, and its impact on American life. The articles are contemporary, personal, thought-provoking and intellectually challenging as they explore the impact of DNA in the most private aspects of our lives. Read the articles to explore compelling issues of ethics, privacy, birth rights, lineage and access. 

Who Should Lead a Session?
YOU!  You do not need to be a scientist or a DNA expert to facilitate a discussion on The DNA Age. There are several themes presented by the series that nicely lend themselves to engaging students in college-level dialogue. If you are a James Madison University faculty or staff member who is committed to helping students have conversations about the themes in The DNA Age then you will be well suited for this experience. 
Sign-up now to be a facilitator!

Still Unsure if You should Lead a Session?

• Preview The DNA Age For copyright purposes, you must enter your JMU e-ID and password to access the articles.

As you review the text we are certain that it will stimulate thoughts and questions that you would like to have the opportunity to discuss with students.

Ongoing Support for Facilitators
After you choose to lead a discussion, Orientation staff with provide you with a variety of support materials, preparation sessions and a classroom to lead your session. These resources are currently in production and we’ll let you know when they are hot off the presses!

• Preparaion Sessions
• Monday, July 20: 2:30-3:45pm. Location: East Campus Library, Room 5211
• Tuesday, August 18: 2:30-3:45pm. Location: East Campus Library, Room 5211

• Room Assignments
• We will email your classroom assignment by August 14, 2009
• Rosters
• Several days prior to your discussion we will send you a roster of students assigned to your session.  Be looking for the roster in your campus mail.  The rosters will include the email addresses of each group member and her or his residence hall.  In addition, the names and email addresses of the First yeaR Orientation Guides (FROGs) assigned to your group will be included.  On occasion changes are made from the time the rosters are printed and when the sessions take place.  Unfortunately, we do not have the means to inform you of these changes.

 

Your Very Own FROG
The FROGs are upper-class students who have been selected to mentor first year students and guide them through August Orientation.  FROGs and Orientation Program Assistants (OPAs) will be escorting students to the sessions.  This is a required session for first year students; you will have a FROG in your group who will be taking attendance for you.  All FROGs and OPAs have read the text, so you may utilize them if needed to get discussions started.  Incentives will also be used to encourage first year students to attend the sessions.  Following the sessions all first year students will be attending a meeting with his or her freshman advisor. 

Convocation
Scheduled for August 23, 2009 at 3:30 PM in the Convocation Center; Convocation will be an exciting event that connects the themes from The DNA Age text (and your subsequent discussions) to the student's first year at James Madison University.  The program will be experiential and promises to be a fascinating event.

Further Questions?
If you have questions about First Year Reading please contact the Orientation Office at 568-1787 or by email at orientation@jmu.edu.

Thanks for your interest and commitment in making the First Year Reading experience a success!!