Skip to Main Content

New Student Common Reading Program: Book Selection Process

A planning site

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

Aparna Sinha, Chair, Culture & Communication

Matt Fairbanks, Science & Mathematics

Kitty Luce, Library

Tom Nordenholz, Mechanical Engineering

Amy Parsons, Culture & Communication

Emily Scheese, Athletics

 

 

2024 Selection

2024 Recommendations

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.
If you experience accessibility barriers using this website, please contact 707-654-1090 or library@csum.edu . You will receive a reply within two business days. The library is committed to remediate accessibility barriers within this website and will provide accommodations until the barriers are remediated.