

Join a Reader’s College and meet new friends over great readings. Taught by faculty and staff, Reader’s College courses typically involve reading books, joining in discussions and some writing. Students who satisfy the leader’s requirements receive ½ course credit.
To sign up for one of the reading groups below simply contact the leader.
Instructor: Professor Ruth and Professor Tinkler
Restricted to students going to Rome spring ‘08
Completion of this course will help students show commitment to the academic content of the semester in Rome and provide them a systematic background in the issues of modern Italy they will need for success in our program. Students will view Italian films, learn about the structure of the Italian cucina and sample Italian foods, discuss Italian football, and study some of the ways these elements fit into the creation of the unitary state of Italy in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Meeting time: 6:30-8:00 pm
Location: Houghton House
Contact Professor Ruth at Ruth@hws.edu or Professor Tinkler at Tinkler@hws.edu
Instructor: Professor Jon Iuzzini
Each week we will read and discuss current theoretical and empirical pieces of the great nature-nurture puzzle. Specifically, we’ll attempt to integrate the evolutionary and sociocultural perspectives in psychology as we strive to better understand why we do the things we do. We’ll discuss a wide range of phenomena, including morality, creativity, aggression, gender identity, intelligence, romantic attraction, and jealousy.
Meeting Time: Wednesdays, 1:30pm-2:55pm
Location: Lansing 301
Contact Professor Jon Iuzzini at iuzzini@hws.edu or ext. 3461.
Instructor: W. Averell H. Bauder, Director of Public Service
Many contend that American Democracy has lost its way and no longer reflects the values intended by the “Founding Fathers”. What are the core values in our democracy as envisioned in Philadelphia and what does it mean to be an engaged citizen? This Readers’ College will explore those original values as learned and professed by Benjamin Franklin. The group will read Benjamin Franklin: An American Life by Walter Isaacson as well as Franklin’s own autobiography.
Meeting Time: Wednesdays at 4:30 pm
Location: Trinity 206
Contact W. Averell H. Bauder at Bauder@hws.edu or ext. 3825
Instructor: Dean Chip Capraro
Readings focus on golf course architects Alister Mackenzie, Donald Ross, Robert Trent Jones, and Pete Dye and the larger context of golf course history and principles of design. There will be two field trips, one to a Donald Ross course and another to a Robert Trent Jones Course in the Upstate New York region.
Readings include: Geoff Shackelford, The History and Fundamentals of Golf Course Design; Alister Mackenzie, The Spirit of St. Andrews; Bradley S. Klein, Discovering Donald Ross: The Architect and His Golf Courses; Pete Dye, Bury Me in a Pot Bunker.
Meeting Time: Wednesday’s 4:00 – 5:00 pm
Location: Smith Hall Conference Room
Contact Dean Chip Capraro at ext. 3300 or Capraro@hws.edu
Instructor: Lorinda Weinstock, Hillel Program Director
Want to know more about Judaism? Didn't go to Hebrew School, or did you sleep through or get kicked out of it? We'll be reading Essential Judaism: A complete guide to beliefs, customs, and rituals by George Robinson. Whenever possible, food appropriate to the topics being discussed will be served.
Meeting Time: Mondays from 5:00 - 6:00 pm;
Location: Abbe Center for Jewish Life, 764 S. Main Street
Contact Hillel Program Director Lorinda Weinstock at lweinstock@hws.edu or ext. 3385.
Instructor: Doug Reilly, Program Coord., Center for Global Education
In our culture, storytelling is entrusted to the media. We consume culture, not create it. Yet we all have valuable stories to tell. The digital revolution has put powerful tools in our hands, including the methodology of digital storytelling, in which images, voice and music are combined to create short video stories. Each participant will script, plan and produce a 3-minute film. The only prerequisite is the desire to tell a story and listen.
Meeting Time: Weekly through November 10
Location: Delancey Kitchen
Contact Doug Reilly at dreilly@hws.edu or ext. 3788
Instructor: Lesley Adams, Chaplain
We will read "Knitting Memories: Reflections on the Knitter's Life" by Lela Narqi and "Zen and the Art of Knitting: Exploring the Links Between Knitting, Spirituality, and Creativity" by Bernadette Murphy. We will also keep a journal our our own experiences with knitting, reflecting on the way the craft helps us make sense of our lives. There will be a one day Knitter's Retreat as part of the course.
Meeting Time: 5:00 – 6:00 pm starting September 6
Location: TBA
Contact Lesley Adams at ladams@hws.edu or ext. 3671
Past Readers College courses include:
Feminist Poetry
Tolkien's Middle-earth
The Art of Ukrainian Easter Eggs
Golf Course Architecture: History and Theory
Don Quijote
2006 Mid Term Elections