sebastian junger
TRANSCRIPT
2016 Common Reading Book Guide
Sebastian Junger
TRIBEOn Homecoming
and Belonging
Dear First-Year Students,
Welcome to Johnson State College and the College’s Common Reading Initiative, an interdisciplinary endeavor that creates opportunities for engagement through a carefully chosen reading selection that inspires thinking about a unique aspect of North American culture. This year’s choice, Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging, asks us to consider what it means to be socially connected and what can happen to us when our sense of social solidarity erodes.
It is my hope that Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging will invite you to take what you have learned from your reading and accompanying experiences and to think about the implications for our campus and local communities, bringing your energy and wisdom to bear on an important societal challenge facing us today. This may mean finding ways to strengthen your social connections through service, leadership, helping others in need, or supporting a cause that reaches beyond the individual.
In the fall, you will have many opportunities to discuss this provocative text with your peers, faculty and staff. Additionally, Johnson State College will be hosting Sebastian Junger on November 10th. This will be a very special event that you will not want to miss! Please make it a point to review the background material presented in this guide, so that you will be well prepared.
In closing, I look forward to getting to know each of you and sharing this very special learning community. I challenge you to do your best and we will be there to support you every step of the way. Be sure to take advantage of the array of services designed to help you as you adjust to a new learning environment. Again, welcome to Johnson State College!
Best wishes for a great start,
Elaine C. Collins President
CONTENTS
About the Author and the Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1
Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3-4
Read, Reflect, Experience . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
JSC’s Common Reading Initiative is a program of theOffice of First-Year Experience Dewey Hall • 802-635-1474
Margo Warden, Director: [email protected] Hayes, Coordinator of First-Year Events: [email protected] Stefanski, Coordinator of First-Year Support: [email protected]
Support for the 2016 Common Reading Initiative provided by Jane White.
Common Reading Guide | 20161
Sebastian Junger is an award-winning journalist, a contributing editor to Vanity Fair, and a special correspondent at ABC News. Initially garnering a great deal of attention, after writing: The Perfect Storm: A True Story of Men Against the Sea (1997), earning him a two-year span on the list of New York Times Best Sellers, his attraction to adventure through shorter, exciting assignments, led him to freelance journalism focused overseas.
Through a series of documentary films and his book War in 2010, he chronicled the war in Afghanistan. His debut film Restrepo was nominated for an Academy Award and won the Grand Jury Prize for a domestic documentary at the Sundance Film Festival.
A graduate from Wesleyan University, with a degree in cultural anthropology, his work has appeared in such magazines as National Geographic Adventure, Harper’s, American Heritage, and The New York Times Magazine.
Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging examines the way war creates intimate bonds between people. Through times of adversity, humans are given a sense of purpose and connection. These experiences create collectives that depend on one another, ultimately connecting with our inherent nature as a communal species. To this point, Junger explores the relationship between combat veterans returning home and higher rates of post- traumatic stress disorders, as they search for the closeness and unity in everyday society. Tribe explores themes of loyalty, belonging, and the human quest for finding meaning in life. This book introduces elements of tribal societies for the purpose of helping us consider ways of creating communities that thrive not from catastrophe or war, but from peace and the act of coming together in purpose.
Sebastian Junger uses anecdotal historical notes, as well as psychological and anthropological lenses to explore the tribal connection that is largely lost in today’s society. The lack of clear purpose and community begs the question: how can we come together in today’s divided world?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR AND THE BOOK
Common Reading Guide | 2016 2
Combat Paper Mon. Aug. 29 | Bentley 207 | 7pm
Born out of the need to process his experiences as an Army artilleryman, Drew Cameron, an Iraq War Veteran and artist, began exploring ways to find his own understanding. After learning the craft of making handmade paper, he incorporated the process into his existing
visual work and creative writing to tell his story. Through collaborations with others who had shared experiences, the Combat Paper Project was born. Following the guiding notion that art heals, veterans can convey their thoughts and feelings to cope with long-felt trauma. Over the course of the 3-day residency, Drew will discuss both his artwork and the development of the project, as well as conducting workshops to lead participants in the ancient process of turning clothing rags into paper.
Poster GirlTBA
This award-winning documentary follows Robynn Murray, who became the “poster girl” for women in combat. It follows her post-Iraq struggles with PTSD and
her journey of self-discovery and redemption through art and poetry. Both Robynn Murray and Director/Producer Sara Nesson will be at the screening to continue the dialogue, after the viewing of the film.
Roman Baca & Exit 12Wed. Oct. 12 | Dibden Center for the Arts | 8pm
Roman Baca is a Marine Iraq War Veteran and the Artistic Director of Exit 12 Dance Company in New York City. After a career in dance, Mr. Baca served as a US Marine and was deployed to Fallujah,
Iraq from ‘05-’06. After returning from Iraq, he formed the contemporary dance company. Through the arts, the group will explore the lives of soldiers and the lasting effects of violence and conflict on communities, families, and individuals. These performances use movement to inspire conversations about world differences, the reality of war, and the need to champion the humanity and dignity of all persons. Join us for a moving multimedia dance performance with Roman and his dance company, Exit 12.
The Welcome Mon. Nov. 14 | Bentley 207 | 7pm
This film offers an intimate view of life after war: the fear, anger and isolation of post-traumatic stress that affects vets and family members alike. Through the
film, we are able to join twenty-three men and women for an unusual five day healing retreat, witnessing how their experiences in service have forever changed their lives. Through the open and honest act of sharing, we begin to understand that all of us are a vital piece of the Welcome as Veterans try to find the way back home. A panel of guests will be present to discuss the film.
AUTHOR TALK & BOOK SIGNINGSebastian JungerThursday, November 10 | Dibden Center for the Arts | 8pm
Join us for an evening with Sebastian Junger, the author of this year’s common book. The award winning author, journalist, and documentarian will reveal how his experiences around wartime journalism ultimately led to the exploration of the loss of meaningful connections in modern day society and the effect of this lack of unity on soldiers returning from war. Through the book Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging, Junger delves into the high rates of post-traumatic stress on
returning military veterans as platoon life gives way to a lack of clear purpose and connection. The evening will end with a Q & A and a book signing.
Common Reading Guide | 20163
Twelve percent of Vermont adults have been on active duty in the military.
In a sentence or two, define your tribe below:
Our Community Values
J O H N S O N S TAT E C O L L E G E
OUR TRIBEOUR Community
12% This includes National Guard and reservists who were activated to active duty.
We believe the success of a community is based on both a shared commitment to the core values of the community and each member’s sense of responsibility.
• an educationally purposeful community where faculty and students share academic goals and work together to strengthen teaching and learning on and off campus;
• an open community where freedom of expression is uncompromisingly protected and civility is positively and consistently affirmed;
• a just community where the sacredness of the person is honored and diversity is welcome and pursued;
• a disciplined community where individuals accept their obligations and responsibilities to the group;
• a caring community where the well-being of each member is sensitively supported and where service to others is encouraged; and
• a celebrative community where the heritage of the institution is remembered and where rituals affirming tradition are widely shared.
how would you define your tribe ?
V.T. VETERANS
Common Reading Guide | 2016 4
Once known only as “shell shock,” a vague condition affecting war veterans, PTSD is now recognized as an anxiety disorder brought on by a traumatic event.
While there are effective treatments available, many people, especially veterans, do not seek or receive help for the condition.
Currently, PTSD AFFECTS AN ESTIMATED:
Other Statistics:
Treatment:
2.2% of the population
that’s approximately the population of Arizona
7.7 million people
10% 5%will develop PTSD in their lifetime.
90%Military occupations open to women
7-8%will experience PTSD at some point in their lifetime.
55-70%will experience a traumatic event in their lifetime.
people
11-20% of veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars
300,000
PTSD POSTTRAMATIC STRESS DISORDER
women in the u.S. Military
9,200201,400of nearly 71,400 members currently deployedActive-duty Military
Source: Military Pathways, Screening for Mental Health, and U.S. Department of Defense
Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging
Read | Reflect | Experience
Connect with Your New CommunityYou are not alone in this assignment – quite the opposite!
Over 400 people in the JSC Community are reading Tribe this summerWe all have this book as a shared experience.
Designate a Time for Reading. Make it happen.
Create a relaxed and focused pace.Get your book out and get going…one page at a time!
Mix It UpYou don’t always have to read in the same place.
If it’s a nice day, try reading outside – on the beach, in a hammock, or in the shade of a tree.Rainy day – perfect for reading inside the house, inside a tent, or on a porch.
Win a Hammock!Send us Instagram pics of you reading Tribe: On Homecoming and Belonging.
Tag your pictures #JSCtribe. Pictures will be “collected” and the Class of 2020 will vote on their favorites.
Be creative! Have fun! Read!
Bring Tribe With YouYou never know when an opportunity to read might arise.
Make Notes IN Your BookGo ahead! Write or diagram your thoughts and questions on the pages of Tribe.
Make this book yours.