About the MSIM Reading Seminar and Community Book

You will learn about ideas that will help you understand the world - especially, leadership, work, and organizations, but also mindsets and ways of thinking about things. You will develop your leadership skills by contributing to weekly discussion, by facilitating at least one meeting, and by challenging yourself:

• • To present your ideas about the text, in a clear, respectful, and persuasive manner
  • To think quickly and to constructively respond, often to the unexpected
  • To use language to give room for people to talk and explore, while keeping the conversation rolling
  • To synthesis discussion in the moment and to help everyone understand the text.

Most broadly, you will ask the question: What does it mean to read well? This question is not easily answered, not least because it involves culture, family values, educational values, how we use and don’t use technology, and how we divide our attention among our friends and loved ones, all the while we cope with political and environmental insanity and seek balance in life, work, and play.  Reading is implicated in all of that and more – think, for example, “pandemic” and the stressors and adaptations that continue to ripple through society and us as individuals.

Our expectations about reading are in flux. Shaped by tools and technology, so it has been the case for thousands of years (McLuuhan, 1962). For current discussion, see Is This the End of Reading?Links to an external site. Chronicle of Higher Education, by Beth McMurtrie, May 9, 2024.  See also, The Elite College Students Who Can't Read Books Links to an external site., The Atlantic, November 2024, by Rose Horowitch; How Gen Z Came to See Books as a Waste of Time Links to an external site., The Atlantic, November 29, 2024.

How do I sign-up for the MSIM Reading Seminar? 

The same as any other course.  Nothing special to do.

Can I join the MSIM Reading Seminar for no credits?

Yes. You can participate "unofficially" for zero credits (and no cost). To do so, let the instructor know, do the readings, and come to our weekly discussions. You might do this because you are taking enough credits for the quarter and you are interested in the book. 

Can I sign-up in week 3 of the quarter? 

See the syllabus for the appropriate quarter - which is located beneath the book on the Canvas frontdoor. Each quarter the book changes.

Yes. To receive credit you must take weekly notes and show the instructor your notes at the end of the quarter. You can take notes with pencil and paper or with a word processor. 

Its up to you. Here is a famous, if fast becoming archaic, essay on How to Mark a Book Download How to Mark a Book? (Pencil is better than pen.)

You are expected to spend 4.5 - 6.0 hours / week reading.  If you complete the assigned reading in less that 4.5 hours or so, then read something related to the book (e.g., read a citation, read about the author's scholarship, view a talk, etc.)

There are many different kinds of reading.  In general, in the MSIM Reading Seminar, we usually privilege slow, close reading, reading less rather than more. See the syllabus for some suggestions. If you haven't read a non-fiction book - or any book - for a while, you might want to try this kind of reading.  For many of us, reading together in a slow manner is restorative.

Can I Zoom into the MSIM Reading Seminar? 

Yes. That said, if you are a residential student, attending in person is always preferred. In our experience, reading seminar is generally stronger when we attend in person. If you are an online student and can make class in-person by all means come.  (Of course, if you are felling ill please stay at home and zoom in.)

See the Canvas front door for those and other details. 

Do I need to turn on my camera?

The MSIM Reading Seminar is a place to practice speaking, to develop your leadership skills. Its not easy to say "I believe in X ...," "I disagree; Here's what I think ...." It is especially hard to make such statements when your camera is turned off. It is not possible to engage in reading seminar while multi-tasking - it takes practice to listen, to create openings for making contributions, and for helping the seminar group move forward. 

To work in corporate America, you need to develop the stamina and presence of mind to engage with video conferencing. Accordingly, please turn on your camera, raise your hand, and participate! (If it is not possible, then it is okay to keep your camera off.)

Should I buy a hardcopy or digital version of the book? 

It's up to you. That said, if you haven't read a hardcopy book recently - you might find it fun to read a printed text. Generally, it is much easier to read closely and to discuss ideas with a hardcopy book. Annotating hardcopy and finding pages is generally more efficient with hardcopy books - although searching for words and phrases is more difficult! 

Please let the instructor know.  Keep up with the reading. Be ready to attend the next session.  Keep your weekly notes up to date. 

Why is reading together a good thing?

Basically, because you will make friends. You help us all develop a sense of belonging. Books hold ideas that will make you a better leader and a better person. It is also the case that reading can help improve your mood and decrease stress: See report Links to an external site.. Generally, after reading seminar, we feel restored and calmer, because we support each other in focusing on and understanding the text.

How do you decide which books to read?

The instructor asks around and listens.  What interests you?  Do you have a recommendation?  Speak up. 

Do you have discussion questions for the MSIM Reading Seminar. 

Yes.  See the set of discussion questions, organized by book.