This year's required summer reading for incoming Â鶹ÊÓƵ students is Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plant by Potawatomi professor Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Dear incoming students,
Today, we want to fill you in on Occidental’s Community Book Program and share why you, as an incoming student, will be actively involved in the text—starting today!
Each year, Occidental’s Community Book Program promotes the mission of the College by empowering our students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, and other members of the broader Â鶹ÊÓƵ community to experience the joy of both reading and learning together. Book selections are connected to one or more of the four pillars of the College’s mission. This year’s book selection is Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plant by Potawatomi professor Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Kimmerer writes about the role of Indigenous knowledge as an alternative or complementary approach to Western mainstream scientific methodologies. It explores reciprocal relationships between humans and the land, with a focus on the role of plants and botany in both Native American and Western traditions. You can read more information about the book here.
Braiding Sweetgrass is a required text for incoming Â鶹ÊÓƵ students . Feel free to pick up a copy at your local bookstore, but please note that all students can acquire the e-version of Braiding Sweetgrass at no charge . To obtain this free copy of the text, please send a request via email to communitybook@oxy.edu. You will then receive a response with a code and instructions for downloading your copy.
Throughout the academic year, there will be a variety of in-person and virtual events related to the book. Keep an eye on your email come September with more details! In the meantime, let us enjoy our summer read together!