New Student Orientation - University of San Francisco

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usf reading project
“Every place deserves an atlas, an atlas is
at least implicit in every place, and to say
that is to ask first of all what a place is.”
- Rebecca Solnit
The Reading Project introduces you to the intellectual life and educational
mission at USF. The project promotes critical thinking and cultural engagement
around a current topic and provides a common experience for all new USF students.
Every year the entire university community—administrators, faculty, staff,
students—is invited to participate in the Reading Project. The book may also be
assigned in your first-year writing and other courses. New Student Orientation
events become an integral part of your first semester coursework.
The Reading Project for the Incoming Class of 2011 is Infinite City:
A San Francisco Atlas by Rebecca Solnit. Solnit and her collaborators
create maps to share the infinite stories and histories of San Francisco,
your new home. Each author’s sense of place is revealed, showing the
diverse cities within San Francisco. As the newest members of our USF
community, you will map your lives here and contribute to the many
stories on our campus and beyond.
Before you arrive on campus in August get a copy of the book, immerse
yourself, and enjoy. We hope Solnit’s unique work will inspire you as you
map out your own upcoming journey to USF. For more information on
USF’s summer reading program visit: www.usfca.edu/orientation.
Rebecca Solnit is the best-selling author of many books, including River of Shadows,
for which she won the National Book Critics Circle Award, A Paradise Built in Hell,
Savage Dreams (UC Press), and Storming the Gates of Paradise (UC Press).
Visit your professors during
office hours. professors love
to hear from their students,
especially to talk about their
field. Talking to your professor
means you will get the right
kind of help, you’ll get
valuable advice for your
papers and projects, and
it will help you learn.
University of San Francisco — Welcomeguide 2011