Messiah College professor lectures on the cultural and societal setting of the best-selling novel, “A Thousand Splendid Suns”
August 20th, 2008
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GRANTHAM, Pa. (Aug. 20, 2008) – This year’s Common Reading Convocation at Messiah College features a talk by Sharon Baker, assistant professor of theology and religion at Messiah College, about the cultural setting of “A Thousand Splendid Suns,” the novel chosen as the college’s common reading text for first-year students. The lecture is on Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. in Brubaker Auditorium, located in the Eisenhower Campus Center on the college’s Grantham campus. The public is welcome to attend; no tickets or reservations are necessary.
Baker’s lecture, “‘A Thousand Splendid Suns’: Glaring Atrocities, Dazzling Grace,” will focus on the book’s depiction of two women and their courageous friendship, even in midst of brutality and abuse. Khaled Hosseini’s book, “A Thousand Splendid Suns,” has been selected as the common reading text for all first-year Messiah College students because of its poignant themes of guilt, forgiveness and redemption.
With expertise in atonement theory and world religions, Baker is well-suited to present the cultural context and themes of “A Thousand Splendid Suns” in light of the college’s desire for the book to impact students by increasing their personal self-awareness and encouraging them to be informed and compassionate global citizens. Baker received her doctorate in theology from Southern Methodist University.
About Messiah College’s common reading program
Begun in 2004, Messiah College’s common reading program seeks to foster a spirit of community among first-year students and educators. All Messiah College employees, alumni and parents were invited to read “A Thousand Splendid Suns” along with students. Hosseini’s book will be used as the basis for discussions during first-year student orientation activities as well as in all first-year seminar classes, a required writing class at Messiah College.
About Messiah College
Messiah College, a private Christian college of the liberal and applied arts and sciences, enrolls 2,800 undergraduate students in more than 60 majors. Established in 1909, the primary campus is located in Grantham, Pa., near the state capital of Harrisburg. A satellite campus affiliated with Temple University is located in Philadelphia.