Belmont Abbey College

Summer Reading/Reflection Assignment

The book we have chosen for your summer reading is Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich, and it provides an interesting perspective on modern-day America. It also provokes thoughtful reflection on issues pertaining to social justice. Part of your educational experience at Belmont Abbey College will be to read and reflect on issues that are either new to you, or which represent a variety of perspectives and interpretations. This “conversation” is an important element in the liberal arts tradition, which you will enter in the fall. As stated in the Catalogue, “liberal education seeks to foster exploration of life’s most important questions….” We believe that Nickel and Dimed is a fascinating study and that social justice and its practice is one of the most important issues of our time; one that demands ongoing discussion and practice.

As you read Nickel and Dimed, ask yourself what specific moral, philosophical and social issues are involved. Are there solutions to the difficulties that Nickel and Dimed raises? It may perhaps also be helpful to think specifically of what gifts and talents you bring to our campus community, and to society as a whole, that can address some of the injustices discussed in the book.

Along with your copy of Nickel and Dimed is a list of questions that will provide direction for your reading. As noted in this correspondence, you are required to take notes on the reading based on the questions provided.

These notes will be collected the first day of class, Saturday, August 18th.