When students enroll in the University of North Carolina, most understand that they will be entering a community devoted to tackling some of society’s most pressing issues.
It is for this reason that UNC promotes its summer reading program for incoming students every year. Despite the fact that not all students will dedicate their academic careers at UNC to the study of prose, the program acts as a prelude to the intellectual debates students will face regardless of their major.
In order to enhance the conversations freshmen have, UNC should consider supplementing the current book program with alternative forms of art that relate thematically to the book.
That is not to say that there is no benefit to the current system. The discussion about justice catalyzed by this year’s assigned book — “Just Mercy” by Bryan Stevenson — is clearly worth having.
But including a wide range of mediums, like films or music, to spur the conversation for each year’s event might provide incentives for more students to participate.
Furthermore, certain artistic avenues are arguably better at conveying different ideas and perspectives than others are.
Whereas a book relies on the connection between an author’s prose and a reader’s imagination to elicit meaning, a film uses moving images and sound.
However, the program should not only include literature and film. Rather, each year, the selections ought to come from as many distinct art forms as is practical.
An update to the program should steer first-year students toward ideas and discussions that are even more complex.
