<p>From the university: "The Marino Family International Writers' Academic Workshop is the first required academic introduction to your intellectual life at Georgetown University."</p>
<p>Well, this is fine, incoming 18 year olds should be able to analyze a work of fiction and manage an adult level discussion with the author. A month ago my daughter borrowed this book from the library (actually inter-library loan, took some doing) and wrote up an articulate paper on it, then returned the book. One of many requirements to bang out over the summer, and she thought she was done.</p>
<p>Further communication from Georgetown now mandates that each student buy a copy of the book. This is for a one-day workshop 2 weeks into the academic year. Does every member of the freshman class actually buy this book and then discard it? What happened to the honorable tradition of library use, or sharing? </p>
<p>My question to any previous freshman is: how necessary is it to buy the book and actually show up with it in your possession? Do they check?? I object slightly to the requirement that each student have the book in their hand, having further enriched the publisher and the provider of the paper (being a lover of trees and a respecter of individual liberties).</p>
<p>A small point, but I'd love to have any feedback that would tell us whether we now have to buy it quickly from Amazon. Thank you!</p>
<p>my son’s currently at GU, the whole freshman book workshop deal is actually voluntary, no one keeps track of who shows up, etc. In fact my son said many freashmen did not even read the book or show up for the workshop, I would say you have no worries</p>
<p>I am assuming since your daughter has read the book and done the assignment she will want to participate in the workshops. </p>
<p>Each discussion group has a different dynamic. It is hard to say what the discussion leader is going to ask of the students while in their group. Georgetown wouldnt want any student, particularly new freshman, to feel in any way unprepared. The purpose of having the book in hand is to eliminate a potentially embarrassing or awkward moment for your daughter (should they ask her to read paragraph 3 on page 42 and discuss her theory/thoughts with the group about what she’s read). If she is comfortable asking to share with someone, it isn’t a big deal at all. </p>
<p>Should she decide she wants a copy with her, Im sure she could check it out again before she leaves for Georgetown and then have her mail it back home. There are new texts on Amazon starting at less than $5 + $3.99 s&h. A purchase from Amazon may be cheaper than mailing back the library loan. Once she decides to disgard it, there are plenty of book drives at Gtown for shelters in DC that would be very happy to have reading material.</p>