This fall, the College of Arts and Sciences’ 16 departments began exploring “Frontiers and Borders” for this year’s college theme. The “Celebrating the Liberal Arts” program, sponsored by the college, selects an annual theme that is woven into course curriculum and student enrichment activities.
“Over the past decade this program has afforded us the opportunity to provide concrete examples of the principles of a liberal education to help students grasp the importance of having a general education program,” Robby Stewart, associate dean, CAS, explained. “Once the theme is announced faculty are free to consider how this topic is interpreted within their own discipline.”
In collaboration with the theme, the college selects a community book. The “Frontiers and Borders” community book "Who Controls the Internet? Illusions of a Borderless World" by Jack Goldsmith and Tim Wu, discusses the history of the Internet and current issues concerning economic, political, and social aspects of Internet use in the United States and around the world.
“I find it especially interesting that the ‘Frontiers and Borders’ theme is associated with a book that has ‘Borderless World’ in its title,” Stewart said. “The illusion of a borderless world is one of many topics that will be discussed in Writing and Rhetoric classes that have assigned the community book as part of their required reading list this year,” Stewart explained. “These discussions should provide a unique situation where a large portion of the student body, simultaneously reading the same book, will have the opportunity to discuss a multi-faceted topic in an atmosphere that values diversity and the integration of ideas.”
Students from across the departments will have a chance to come together to discuss the community book with author Tim Wu who will be visiting Oakland University. The discussion is open to the public and will be held October 21st at 10 a.m. in the Banquet Rooms of the Oakland Center. Other events supporting the college theme include book readings, musical performances, art exhibitions, and public lectures.
For additional information, visit oakland.edu/frontierandborders/