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NEA Big Read: IRSC Reads Brother, I'm Dying: Faculty Book Club

Information about the 2017 Big Read at Indian River State College on the Treasure Coast of Florida. We will read Edwidge Danticat's Brother, I'm Dying. Check here for activities and updates to events for anyone who wants to attend.

Dates for Faculty Book Discussion at the IAE

*All meetings are on Thursdays from 12:30-1:30 pm. Come eat lunch and learn how to incorporate Brother, I'm Dying into your curriculum.

Date Chapters to Read Speaker Presentation
September 8, 2016 CH 1-3 Dr. Celucien Joseph "Edwidge Danticat and the Haitian Experience through Diasporic Literature."
The discussion will provide a general overview on Edwidge Danticat as a woman novelist and artist. After offering an overview of the novel, “Brother, I’m Dying,” we will underscore its central themes and ideas; particular attention will also be given to the discussion of the first three chapters.  The basic objective of this conversation is twofold: (1) to discuss the human condition as represented in this story, and (2) to highlight the Haitian experience and the fragility of life through Danticat’s diasporic text.  These conversations will provide faculty opportunities to participate in thought provoking discussions about ways to incorporate various activities across disciplines and engage students in the class.  Bring your brown bag lunch and join us for an engaging conversation or faculty driven conversations.  The IAE will provide a frozen dessert to keep you cool and fresh for this session.
September 22, 2016 CH 4-6 Marvin Hobson

"LIT. MATTERS…  Across YOUR Curriculum!"
Both Literature and Literacy matter in the 21st Century! Most affirm this statement, but often times other pedagogical ideologies, academic demands, and discipline-specific learning outcomes or requirements eclipse the overt teaching or reference to fiction or literacy practices. However, The Big Read provides a wonderful opportunity to explore the connections between Literature and YOUR curriculum and to engage students in the classroom. Come learn, create, and share opportunities for the seamless inclusion of O’ Brother, I’m Dying by Edwidge Danticat into your curriculum for the Spring of 2017!  Bring your brown bag lunch and join us for an engaging conversation or faculty driven conversations.  The IAE will provide snacks and beverages for this session.
September 29, 2016 CH 7-10 IRSC Librarians

"Open Discussion Facilitated by IRSC Librarians"
As we continue to make our way through Brother, I’m Dying, this traditional book discussion will allow faculty members to discuss their thoughts on the book so far and provide a space for brainstorming about possible plans for integrating Danticat’s work into their spring classes. Librarians will also highlight some of the many resources available for Brother, I’m Dying in the library. Bring your brown bag lunch and join us for an engaging conversation.  The IAE will provide fruit for this session. 
October 13, 2016 CH 11-14 Marvin Hobson Returns! "LIT. MATTERS…  Across YOUR Curriculum!"
Both Literature and Literacy matter in the 21st Century! Most affirm this statement, but often times other pedagogical ideologies, academic demands, and discipline-specific learning outcomes or requirements eclipse the overt teaching or reference to fiction or literacy practices. However, The Big Read provides a wonderful opportunity to explore the connections between Literature and YOUR curriculum and to engage students in the classroom. Come learn, create, and share opportunities for the seamless inclusion of O’ Brother, I’m Dying by Edwidge Danticat into your curriculum for the Spring of 2017!  Bring your brown bag lunch and join us for an engaging conversation or faculty driven conversations.  The IAE will provide snacks and beverages for this session.
October 27, 2016 CH 15-17 Suchismita Banerjee 

"Time and Memory in Brother, I’m Dying."
How do we read a novel which is positioned as a story of Danticat’s family? Do we believe the narrator who claims to remember every single detail of her life from childhood to motherhood? Can we even say that the narrator, often a construct of the author, and Danticat are the same person? Can we read the novel as a memoir or a historical fiction? These questions are important to address in class because students may regard Danticat as the only reliable source of Haitian history and frame their interpretation based on the lens through which Danticat presents her work. Bring your brown bag lunch and join us for an engaging conversation.  The IAE will provide veggies and dip for this session. ​
November 3, 2016 CH 18-20 Dr. Daphne Cooper Political Science
November 10, 2016 CH 21-24

Dr. Susan Wise

Different Location-V44

"Transcultural Nursing"
The ideas of “culture” and “transcultural care” are more than nationality and ethnicity. There are cultures within cultures and as educators it is important to meet students where they are.  Once we identify where our students are, we can then facilitate their acculturation into the culture of the College.  This discussion will look at how open-minded generalizations about groups of people are different from stereotyping.  Bring your brown bag lunch and join us for an engaging conversation.  The IAE will provide dessert for this session. To register for this session, please email jrobson@irsc.edu.