By Will Gruy
In 2004 the National Endowment for
the Arts issued a report called Reading at Risk: A
Survey of Literary Reading in America.
The report found that literary reading in the United States was on a
steep decline, especially among youth. In order to counteract this trend the NEA created an
initiative called The Big Read. The NEA says that, “The Big Read gives communities the opportunity to come together to read,
discuss, and celebrate one of 30 selections from American and world
literature.” The NEA has sponsored
over 500 Big Reads.
John Cabot University is the first
overseas American University to receive a National Endowment for the Arts grant
for a Big Read. According to John Cabot the Big
Read Rome is, “a
series of events to take place in October 2009 that will encourage English
language speakers in Rome to read and discuss Harper Lee's novel “To Kill a
Mockingbird.”
Some of
the events include: a keynote address from Professor Charles J. Shields, author
of “Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee,” film screenings in the Aula Magna,
a Rome English Theater performance of their own adaptation of the text, book
groups and teacher workshops. In addition there is also a class being taught
this semester by Professor Carlos Dews specifically on the life and work of
Harper Lee. The Big Read Rome is sponsored in part by a grant from the National
Endowment for the Arts with assistance from Arts Midwest and the Institute of
Museum and Library Services.
To Kill a
Mockingbird was chosen because it is an American classic with themes that apply
directly to many issues in contemporary society: both American and European. Big
Read Rome Program Coordinator Graziella
Zabatta said, “Harper Lee’s novel is about racism, but more specifically about
racism though the eyes of an innocent child, Scout.” The book was chosen with the hope that returning to race
issues of the past will cause readers to re-evaluate racial issues of today.
The
Big Read will be stretching its arms far
beyond the JCU community. Involvement includes the American Overseas School of
Rome, St. Georges, The Swiss School of Rome, The International School of
Naples, a handful of Italian high schools and several English speaking book
groups. JCU students who participate will have the opportunity to lead
discussion groups at the university or even at an Italian high school.
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