Pace Paw Print

Finance, strategy and marketing were not the center of the discussion for incoming Lubin business students. At this year's Academy Day, the focus of group expanded to another realm of education: fiction

Joseph Baczko, Dean of Lubin School of Business, assigned the novel, "The Namesake", by Pulitzer-Prize-winner Jhumpa Lahiri to all new business students over the summer, along with discussion questions, in an effort to expand the minds of his students, particularly in the area of globalization.

The novel, in short, centers on an American born man and his struggle as a second -generation Indian immigrant to find his place in the world.

The book was awarded Best Book of the Year by several publications including The New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, USA Today and Newsday.

In a letter to the students receiving the assignment, Baczko said the book was "entertaining and fun to read," while simultaneously addressing issues that are "important in today's 'flat world.' As business majors, the role of immigrants in the U.S. and adaptation of people new cultures is an important topic that will be incorporated into numerous courses you take."

Baczko also said he favored the choice of a fiction book over a non-fiction one since they enable the reader to "explore the human condition."

The purpose of the assignment was also meant to help students interact with each other by giving them a common topic to discuss.

"Having a book in common gives everyone an icebreaker for getting through those first awkward conversations," Baczko said.

Karen A. Berger, Associate Dean and Director of Undergraduate Programs, agreed with Baczko's enthusiasm for the assignment. At Academy Day she stressed that India is a "very important forefront of globalization."

Despite Baczko's excitement, Business Marketing Major Daniell Miller had trouble finding the book's relevance within the classroom. "It was not any easier to hold conversations with other business students. I did not see the connection at all…even with the class we had with other business students it didn't even make sense to the professors that were placed to lead the discussion."

The book was adapted to film last March. Starring Kal Penn (Harold and Kumar), and directed by Mira Nair, the film received many positive reviews. "Like the best-selling novel it's based on, "The Namesake" chronicles two generations of an Indian immigrant family with compelling flow," wrote Desson Thomson of the Washington Post.

Baczko remains confident that the experience would be a memorable one for the participating students. "They will remember long after they graduate that this is the first book they had to read."

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