Honors College Common Reading

The Honors College's Common Reading is a selection for new students that is used to foster a community-wide discussion in preparation for the first-year courses. The selection is intended to focus on a contemporary social issue or theme that is deeply intertwined with social impact and inclusive excellence.

Through these courses, students develop traits and non-cognitive skills, such as critical thinking, empathy, collaboration, respect, problem solving, persistence, understanding, and introspection—skills that will help students learn how to transform their ideas into action so they may contribute meaningfully to society and succeed in life.

2025-2026 Common Reading

This information is forthcoming...


Students will be able to visit the Honors College Common Reading Canvas page for information on where to find the book and more.


Previous Readings

2024 | How Beautiful We Were

2023 | Scarlet and Black

2022 | Scarlet and Black

2019 | The Great Derangement: Climate Change and the Unthinkable by Amitav Ghosh

2018 | Enlightenment Now by Dr. Steven Pinker

2017 | Clash of Civilizations Over an Elevator in Piazza Vittorio by Amara Lakhous

2016 | Spare Parts by Joshua Davis

2015 | To Repair the World by Dr. Paul Farmer