Class of ’09 novel chosen

The Freshman Reading Program unveiled its book choice, "Caucasia," for the incoming freshman class last Wednesday.

The novel, "Caucasia" by Danzy Senna, explores racial issues during the post-Civil Rights Movement in America. It touches on themes of biracial identity and its implications, which were inspired by Senna’s own life experiences.

The selection process of the novel took nearly one year, said Steve Grande, assistant director of Orientation and the First Year Experience. The book is chosen by the Freshmen Reading Selection Committee, which comprises faculty from Orientation and General Education.

"The faculty committee is based on recommendations from the General Education Dean and Cluster One coordinator," Grande said.

Grande said there are many criteria that the selection committee looks for when choosing the novel; themes of the novel should be connected to first-year student transitions. The novel should be able to sustain discussion in Cluster One courses, yet be appropriate for a wide variety of disciplines, and the novel should be written by a contemporary author who would be able to speak at Freshman Convocation.

"[Caucasia] has a little bit of everything in it," said Jennifer McCabe, professor of JMU Libraries and a member of the Freshman Reading Selection Committee.

In past years, some faculty members have used the Freshman Reading Program book in their classes, typically in General Education and Cluster One.

"I teach a lot of freshmen, so it’s a good way to form a connection with students," said Annick Conis, a professor in the school of communication studies and member of the Freshman Reading Selection Committee.

"Hopefully students will enjoy reading the book, but regardless of whether they like the book, we want them talking with their classmates about the ideas and