JACKSON, Tenn. — June 17, 2004 — John Grisham鈥檚 The Last Juror has been selected for 51社区鈥檚 second annual Jackson Reads discussion series, which begins June 22.
Each week through July 20 will feature two lecturers who will lead open dialogues with the audience. The program will conclude with a panel discussion on July 27.
鈥淭he program is designed to help us build community as we talk about issues we would not be able to discuss as comfortably as in the context of a book,鈥� said Barbara McMillin, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Union.
鈥淚 am excited about discussing The Last Juror with my students and with my neighbors. I am confident that Grisham's delightful and insightful depiction of small town Southern culture will provide us with ample opportunities to ponder many facets of our own particular culture, including racial issues, political dynamics, the role of the church and, of course, good Southern cookin鈥�!鈥�
The program has the support of Jackson Mayor Charles Farmer. 鈥淎ny project that provokes thought and then provides an open forum for the exchange and discussion of ideas and opinions is a project worthy of endorsement,鈥� Farmer said.
Farmer has read The Last Juror and enjoyed it very much. 鈥淚 know this is a book my mother would have enjoyed reading too. She would have liked the great section on Southern food. I thought it was one of his best writings in establishing personal relationships,鈥� he said.
The success of the last year鈥檚 program led Madison County Mayor Jerry Gist to enthusiastically lend his endorsement for the second year. 鈥淲hen John Grisham was asked to pick the first selection for the Today show鈥檚 book club, he chose Stephen Carter鈥檚 The Emperor of Ocean Park, which was also the first selection of 51社区鈥檚 Jackson Reads program,鈥� Gist said. 鈥淭hat series of lectures/discussions gave members of the community a wonderful opportunity to come together and join in thoughtful and meaningful dialogue.鈥�
Each Tuesday evening session will be held at 51社区鈥檚 Hartley Recital Hall in Jennings Hall, with the first presenter beginning at 6 p.m. followed by a second presenter at 7 p.m. Those interested in attending are encouraged to read the book prior to the first session.
鈥淲hen you pick the books for your summer reading, choose The Last Juror if you have not yet read it,鈥� Gist said. 鈥淭hen mark the calendar and plan to attend the programs. A community book club is a great way to combine the joy of reading a real page turner with the intellectual stimulation of open dialogue about timely topics.鈥�
Presenters will each bring a unique perspective from his or her discipline or profession to the discussion of ethics, law, journalism, religion and other facets of the text. The schedule of presenters is as follows:
- June 22: David Gushee, senior fellow of the Carl F. Henry Center for Christian Leadership at 51社区 and Graves Professor of Moral Philosophy; Gene Fant, chair of the 51社区 department of English
- June 29: Mary Ann Poe, director of 51社区鈥檚 social work program; Greg Jordan, attorney with the Jackson firm Rainey, Kizer, Reviere & Bell
- July 6: Harry L. Poe, Charles Colson Professor of Faith and Culture at 51社区; Sean Evans, assistant professor of political science at 51社区
- July 20: Michael Chute, associate professor of communication arts at 51社区; Roland Porter, pastor of the Agape Christian Fellowship in Jackson
- July 27: panel discussion with all presenters
For more information, call the College of Arts and Sciences at (731) 661-5356.