Common Theme

How to Read the Common Text

One of the most important things we hope to do as a university is create a love of learning in our students, and the first part of that happens with the Freshman Seminar common text, a book we ask you all to read over the summer. Our committee of faculty, staff, and students has chosen On Tyranny as this year’s common text.  As you read the common text this summer, don't read as if it is a textbook. There's no need to memorize any facts. Instead, think about the issues On Tyranny raises. Make notes in the margins, mark passages that stand out to you, and write down questions you have. That way you will be well prepared to write about the book this fall and to participate in discussions in class. You will also have opportunities outside of classes to think about the book and the common theme by attending screenings of documentaries, hearing lectures by experts, and going on field trips.

Email alexb@stedwards.edu with any questions about the common text or Freshman Seminar. And again, welcome to St. Edward's.  

Alex Barron
Associate Professor, English
Director of Freshman Seminar

More info coming soon

Fall 2023 Events:

Sept 7 @ 5:00: Film screening of Crip Camp and discussion led by DSO 

Oct 18 @ 6:00: New Directions in Disability Justice with scholar/activists Emily Shryock and Alison Kafer

Fall 2022 Events:

All students went on the Black Austin Tours

Sept 30 @ 5:00: Film Screening and Discussion of Paris is Burning 

Oct 26 @ 5:00: Film Screening and Discussion of Get Out 

Nov 10-20, These Shining Lives @ the MMNT 

Fall 2021 Events:

Sept 29 @ 6:00: Conversation with Stamped author, Jason Reynolds Presentation

Oct 19 @ 5pm Film Screening & Discussion of 13th

Nov 19 @ 5pm Film Screening & Discussion of In the Heights

Fall 2020 Events:

Sept 17 @ 7:30 pm and Sunday, Sept 20 @ 2:00 pm: GIZMO
Play reading by Anthony Clavoe Directed by Sierra Sterling ’20

Oct 20 @ 5pm : How Data Can Win (and Lose) the Presidential Election 
Presentation and Q&A with Dr. David Thomason, Assistant Professor of Political Science 

Oct 26 - Nov 1: A Strange Design: A Haunting Virtual Escape Room in the Age of Data
Presented by Timothy Braun, Visiting Assistant Professor of Creative Writing

Fall 2019 Events:

Sept 16 @ 6:00: What Is Citizenship? A Panel Discussion

September 24 @ 6pm Film Screening: Documented 

October 10 @ 7pm: Speaker & Author Jose Antonio Vargas

Nov 14-24 MMNT : Marisol

Nov 20 @ 6:00: Film Screening: Children of Men

2023-2024: Accessibility 

Book: Disability Visibility: First Person Stories from the 21st Century 

2022-2023: Reckoning with History  
Book: How The Word is Passed by Clint Smith

2021-2022: Stamped
Book: Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds
Speaker: Jason Reynolds

2020-2021: Data & Justice 
Book: Hello World  by Hannah Fry

2019-2020: Immigration
Book: Dear America: Notes From an Undocumented Citizen by Jose Antonio Vargas
Speaker: Jose Antonio Vargas

2018-2019: Identity
Book: Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
Speaker: Eli Kimaro

2017- 2018: Immigrant Voices
Book: Detained & Deported: Stories of Immigrant Families Under Fire by Margaret Regan
Speaker: Erika Andiola

2016-2017: Food Justice
Book: Where Am I Eating? by Kelsey Timmerman
​Speaker: Kelsey Timmerman
Trip: Costa Rica
Students explore the Common Theme in Just Food

2015-2016: Justice
Book: Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson
Speaker: Bryan Stevenson
Trip: 28 students and three faculty members  traveled to South Africa to explore justice, mercy and how these issues relate to race.

2014-2015: Hearts and Minds: Changing the Conversation about Mental Health
Book: Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan
Speaker: Susannah Cahalan
Trip: London 

2013-2014: Expanding Human Rights
Book: Half the Sky by Nicolas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn
Speaker: Jackson Katz
Trip: Three students built on their Common Theme trip to Bangladesh by continuing to stand up for human rights.

2012-2013: How to Survive a Zombie Apocalypse: Dystopias and Sustainability
Book: World War Z by Max Brooks
Speaker: Max Brooks