Library: New Student Common Reading Program: Book Selection Process

Objectives of the Program

To acquaint new students with Cal Maritime’s academic environment, including its mission and values
To initiate relationships between students and the campus community
To introduce students to academic discussion
To inspire a lifelong love of learning

Selection Committee

Michele Van Hoeck, Co-Chair, Dean of Library

Aparna Sinha, Co-Chair, Culture & Communication

Matthew Fairbanks, Science & Math

Mike Holden, Mechanical Engineering

Valerie Holl McGowan, Marine Transportation

Ali Moradmand, Science & Math

Alex Parker, Science & Math

Amy Parsons, Culture & Communication

Sam Pearson, Marine Transportation

Ariel Setniker, Science & Math

Martin Shimada, student, Marine Engineering Technology

2020 Selection

Spare Parts by Joshua Davis
Publication Date: 2014
In 2004, four teenagers arrived at the Marine Advanced Technology Education Robotics Competition at the University of California, Santa Barbara. They were born in Mexico but raised in Phoenix, Arizona, where they attended an underfunded public high school. No one had ever suggested to Oscar, Cristian, Luis, or Lorenzo that they might amount to much - but two inspiring science teachers had convinced these impoverished, undocumented kids from the desert who had never even seen the ocean that they should try to build an underwater robot. And build a robot they did. Their robot wasn't pretty, especially compared to those of the competition. They were going up against some of the best collegiate engineers in the country, including a team from MIT backed by a $10,000 grant from ExxonMobil. The Phoenix teenagers had scraped together less than $1,000 and built their robot out of scavenged parts. This was never a level competition - and yet, against all odds . . . they won! But this is just the beginning for these four, whose story - which became a key inspiration to the DREAMers movement - will go on to include first-generation college graduations, deportation, bean-picking in Mexico, and service in Afghanistan.

2020 Theme: Global Awareness

Global Learning includes Global Awareness and is one of ten Institution Wide Learning Outcomes at Cal Maritime. Our Assessment Council (IWAC) describes Global Learning as 1) knowledge of global cultures and the environmental diversity that sustains human life, and 2) understanding of the responsibilities associated with promoting the welfare of the cultures of humanity and of the natural systems of planet Earth.

For 2019, the selected book will focus on knowledge of the environmental diversity that sustains human life and understanding of the responsibilities associated with promoting the welfare of the natural systems of planet Earth.

Finalists

Dear America: Notes of an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Vargas
Publication Date: 2018
Notes on a Foreign Country by Suzy Hansen
Publication Date: 2017
The Monk of Mokha by Dave Eggers
Publication Date: 2019

Final rating criteria for selection

1. Relevant to the Cal Maritime mission. The connection can be indirect, but it should be consistent throughout the book.

2. Multifaceted. Can the book’s themes be approached from most major fields (science, business, humanities, etc.)? Major themes must hold up under scrutiny.

3. Non-didactic. The book's themes shouldn't be too obvious or heavy-handed.

4. Artful, but not overwrought (prose style). It should be entertaining, but also thought provoking.

5. Impressive, to you. Rank the book for its "wow-factor."

Additional criteria: The committee will give preference to books under 400 pages, but strong recommendations for longer books will be considered. Committee also gives preference to books available in paperback.

Cal Maritime Mission for Undergrads

Provide each student with a college education combining intellectual learning, applied technology, leadership development, and global awareness.
Provide the highest quality licensed officers and other personnel for the merchant marine and national maritime industries.