|
Freshman Reading Program: The Book in Common Methodist University has adopted a freshman reading program designed to stimulate thought and discussion in its freshman seminar course, "The Methodist University Experience," FYS 110. In the program's fourth year, the selected reading is Scratch Beginnings by Adam Shepard.
“I'M AVERAGE. MY STORY IS VERY BASIC — SIMPLE. MY STORY IS ABOUT THE ATTITUDE OF SUCCESS.” Adam Shepard Adam Shepard graduated from college feeling disillusioned by the apathy around him and was then incensed after reading Barbara Ehrenreich's famous work Nickel and Dimed — a book that gave him a feeling of hopelessness about the working class in America. He set out to disprove Ehrenreich's theory — the notion that those who start at the bottom stay at the bottom — by making something out of nothing to achieve the American Dream. Shepard's plan was simple. With a sleeping bag, the clothes on his back, and $25 in cash, and restricted from using his contacts or college education, he headed out for Charleston, South Carolina, a randomly selected city with one objective: to work his way out of homelessness and into a life that would give him the opportunity for success. His goal was to have, after one year, $2,500, a working automobile, and a furnished apartment. Scratch Beginnings is the earnest and passionate account of Shepard's struggle to overcome the pressures placed on the homeless. (Courtesy of HarperCollins Publishers) Past Book in Common Reading Selections
|
 |
Academic Catalogue 
Office of Academic Affairs
Academic Schedules Extension Services
Office of the Registrar
Academic Support
Related Links Search Methodist University |
|
||
About the Book