Welcome to the Convocation Book Program Information Site!
Purpose of the Convocation Book Program
Georgia College's Convocation Experiences are designed to provide a common experience for incoming students, to enhance participation in the intellectual life of the campus through stimulating discussion and critical thinking around a universal or current topic, and to encourage a sense of community between students, faculty, and staff. By participating in the Convocation Experiences over the summer, students will arrive on campus prepared to engage in discussions using the book and other assigned activities as springboards to the expectations of an intellectually engaged campus and to begin the first steps toward creating a community of learners.
The Convocation Experience seeks to aid in the aids with the creation of a living-learning community that supports the successful transition of new students to the university culture. Program components support students in their personal, academic, and leadership development. Furthermore, the Convocation Experience reinforces the university’s student-centered environment and enhances overall retention by encouraging students to engage with and contribute to the Georgia College community, reflect upon their own personal identity within the context of our campus, and introduce the concept of a learning community based upon “Reason, Respect, and Responsibility.”
2012-13 Theme and the Convocation Book
In preparation for Fall 2012, all first-year students are asked to read Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi. By reading the book over the summer students will arrive on campus prepared to engage in discussions using the book as a springboard to introduce critical thinking and begin the first steps toward creating a community of learners. While there are no grades associated with the Convocation Experience Program, we encourage all students to join in and be part of the discussions during the Week of Welcome.
The theme for this year is “Literacy,” with a subtopic of "Education in the 21st Century". This novel highlights literacy in a variety of ways. Graphic novels are unique forms of expressing ideas and language, and represent a different form of reading that is growing in legitimacy. By reading a graphic novel, students will be exposed to a way of expressing ideas that combines text and art, and become more literate in this up and coming medium. In addition to the way that the book is written, the content of the book also very closely reflects the value of literacy. Marjane’s own education is highlighted throughout the book – her family’s values and philosophy, her religious beliefs, and her schooling all inform who she becomes. Her struggles to access education in post-revolution Iran also highlight the power of literacy (and the tragedy when said literacy is stifled).
