Research into Common Book Common Ground

A trio of Nipissing University faculty members are examining the university’s popular Common Book Common Ground program to see if a common book can create a sense of community among students.

The faculty members, Dr. Kristen Ferguson, Dr. Natalya Brown, and Linda Piper are surveying students who participated in the 2012-2013 Common Book, Common Ground Project. In their previous research on the Common Book, Common Ground program, during its inaugural year in 2010-2011, the research team found a promising potential for a common book to create a sense of community.

The purpose of the Common Book project is to foster a sense of community and belonging through a common academic experience and introduce new students to the level of critical thinking, literacy and analysis necessary in a university environment.  All students in first-year Arts and Science and Applied and Professional Schools are asked to read a common book, with year’s selection being Feed by M.T. Anderson.

For more information, visit the Common Book Common Ground website, here. The survey will be available for students to complete until the end of April. Prizes will be drawn on May 1, 2013.