Summer Reading and Writing Program
	The IC Summer Reading and Writing Program is designed to introduce you to the intellectual life of Illinois College. The goals of the program are to stimulate discussion and critical thinking surrounding a current topic, to enhance the connection between students, faculty and staff and to provide a common experience. Expected of all first-year students, it involves reading and studying a common text over the summer. After reading the text, you will be asked to complete a writing assignment for your first-year seminar course. The writing assignment will help you to crystallize your thinking about a significant issue and then express your ideas in a succinct form to other members of the academic community.   This year's 2013 first-year seminar assignment will be due on Saturday, August 24. If you are a first-year student who would like more information on the required assignment, please contact us at connect@ic.edu.

	Acts of Faith
	The IC Connections common reading for 2013 is Acts of Faith: The Story of an American Muslim, the Struggle for the Soul of a Generation by Eboo Patel.   Acts of Faith is a remarkable account of growing up Muslim in America and coming to believe in religious pluralism, from one of the most prominent faith leaders in the United States. Eboo Patel’s story is a hopeful and moving testament to the power and passion of young people—and of the world-changing potential of an interfaith youth movement.   Patel is the founder and executive director of the Interfaith Youth Core, a Chicago-based international nonprofit building the interfaith youth movement. Named one of America’s Best Leaders by U.S. New & World Report, he was appointed by President Obama to the Advisory Council of the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. His book Acts of Faith is the 2010 recipient of the prestigious Grawemeyer Award in Religion.

	Summer Readings Over the Years
	:: Listening is an Act of Love: A Celebration of American Life from the StoryCorps Project  edited by Dave Isay (2012) :: Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D. Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn (2011) :: Outliers by Malcolm Gladwell (2010) :: Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson (2009) :: Playing for Time by Arthur Miller (2008) :: Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama (2007) :: A Short History of Myth by Karen Armstrong (2006) :: Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America by Barbara Ehrenreich (2005) :: Breakfast is Compulsory by Dr. Wallace N. Jamison (2004) :: The Road from Coorain by Jill Ker Conway (2003) :: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (2002) :: Girl in Hyacinth Blue by Susan Vreeland (2001) :: Brave New World by Aldous Huxley (2000)