The Evolution of the Common Core Reader

1. The Evolution of the Common Core Reader A Work in Progress Suzanne M. Deschênes, PhD April 16, 2012 • Presented at: • The Lilly Network Exchange:  The Human Journey Core • Sacred Heart University

2. A brief history… • The reader was conceived… • In ~2006, title selected: “Common Core Reader on the Catholic Intellectual Tradition” • approved by University Academic Assembly • 2011: reader is substantial enough for in-house use and evaluation; work in progress

3. Content conundrums… • Title: “Common Core Reader on the Catholic Intellectual Tradition” • What was the original intent for the nature of the Reader? • Should the current name of this reader be revised to reflect its content, Catholic or otherwise? Or, should we confine ourselves to the title’s implied intent? • What is the CIT?

4. Content conundrums… • Who decides what is consistent with the CIT? • What criteria should be used to select readings for the Reader? • Catholic authors only? • Explicitly Catholic? • How “Catholic” is Catholic? i.e., how “orthodox” must the readings be? • Will the Reader be prescriptive for instructors, i.e., must all readings for common core courses come from the Reader? Critical for faculty buy-in…

5. Content solutions… • Title issues: keep title, be flexible on content • What is the CIT?Reader will contain an Introduction that provides both short and long definitions of the CIT • Who selects readings? Representative faculty from each discipline • Criteria for readings? CIT ≠ orthodox; CIT is broad and encompasses a diversity of thought and philosophies; readings must “engage” the CIT; don’t have to be Catholic authors

6. Content solutions… • Prescriptive?No! Foreword containing this explanation: A resource book for profs to • increase their own understanding of the CIT • recommend additional readings to students • supplement readings already used in their courses • interrogate from a different disciplinary perspective the works they are using and which might be in the reader already • enjoy interdisciplinary interactions with other common core instructors

7. Format • Annotated list of readings, or • Annotations and very short excerpts from readings to stimulate interest and further exploration ( e.g., St. Thomas Univ. reader), or • Longer reader containing annotations and lengthier excerpts (e.g., book chapters, articles, essays, etc.)

8. Format - Specifics For each represented discipline: 1. A reading selection that offers a perspective on what it means to practice integration of the CIT in the discipline (e.g., on being a Catholic writer, on being a Catholic biologist) 2. Reading selections a. Annotation b. Discussion questions c. Excerpt (suggested 10 page max)

9. Organization 1. In main body of reader: by discipline 2. Indices: - chronological - four common core questions - CIT characteristics

10. Disciplines College of Arts & Sciences • History • English • Art • Music • Social sciences • Natural sciences • Etc. Welch College of Business College of Health Professions

11. Dissemination • Secure campus online site • Soft-cover reader • External publication

12. Collecting the Readings • A long journey…

13. Online organization…

14. Online organization…

15. Example of annotated readings (source + commentary)