Join Students in Reading The World Is Flat

Since offering copies of The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass in 1998, Response has annually invited readers to join with Seattle Pacific University students in reading a text from the Common Curriculum or from the University Scholars (honors) Curriculum. This year’s featured book is The World Is Flat by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Thomas Friedman.

On The New York Times best-seller list for nearly 12 months when it was first released in 2005, The World Is Flat has again made the list with a third edition, complete with new content. Response is offering a limited number of free copies to readers who would like to join students as they examine globalization and its effects on the world.

The World Is Flat is one of several books that University Scholars will read this spring in a new class on globalization taught by Professor of Sociology Kevin Neuhouser and Associate Professor of Economics Douglas Downing. Building on earlier classes that explore great works from ancient times through the early 20th century, the course will turn students’ attention to contemporary issues, explains Luke Reinsma, professor of English and director of University Scholars.

“One goal will be for students to realize there are no simple answers to questions about globalization,” says Downing. “This course also fits with President Eaton’s desire to make an SPU education more global.”

To request a copy of the book, call 206-281-2051 or email response@spu.edu. You can also find the book in most bookstores, or order it online from amazon.com or barnesandnoble.com. The SPU Office of Alumni and Parent Relations will be organizing book discussion groups to talk about The World Is Flat in 2008. For more information, visit www.spu.edu/alumni or call 206-281-ALUM.

Other books on the “Globalization” class reading list.