Written by Gregory Maguire, the book chronicles the life of Elphaba, the wicked witch of the west from the “The Wizard of Oz.” In this retelling, Maguire reveals Oz from Elphaba’s perspective.
“Every year, members of the St. Andrews faculty look at a variety of sources for the summer reading,” said Dr. David Herr, director of Quest I and assistant professor of history. “We look at best sellers and other sources of books. Then we get together, talk about the various suggestions, and decide on a book.”
Basically, the faculty seeks a book that reaches the reader on several levels as well as one that poses several kinds of intellectual questions. Recent examples include Bill McKibben’s “Enough” and Yann Martel’s “Life of Pi.”
The summer reading becomes part of general education course work when the freshmen begin their fall classes.
“The questions do not have to be answered, but they are questions to be examined and that in some way reflect the larger question about how we view ourselves in relation to others and the larger world,” Herr said. “The book asks, does evil exist? What is the nature of evil? Would you consider Elphaba evil? Are her actions evil?
“The nice thing about ‘Wicked’ is that it’s more than about evil. It’s about the consequences of your actions.”
The faculty particularly liked “Wicked” because the same questions surrounding the book are those questions freshmen encounter as they enter college.
Quest 1 is the first course in a three-course general education sequence all St. Andrews students take.
“In Quest 1, we help students connect to their priorities and help them survive and succeed as undergraduates, which ultimately shapes how they will be part of our society,” Herr said. “Our introductory courses at St. Andrews set the academic tone for the students’ four years here. We try to encapsulate in this class the type of experience they will have. ‘Wicked’ is their introduction to the transformative process they can expect to undergo here at St. Andrews.”
Published in 1995, “Wicked” is available through bookstores or online services such as www.amazon.com. St. Andrews freshmen will be discussing the book during their first classes on the college campus this fall.
St. Andrews Presbyterian College is a four-year liberal arts and sciences college in Laurinburg.
The college boasts an interdisciplinary curriculum, a study-abroad program on three continents, a soccer-field size science lab, a student-built mini super computer, the first undergraduate college press in the country, the first four-year degree in therapeutic horsemanship and equine business management, an award-winning pipe band, and a five-time national champion equestrian team.
Students enrolled at St. Andrews come from 42 states and eleven countries.
Further information is available on the college’s Web site, www.sapc.edu, or by calling admissions at (800) 763-0198 or sending an e-mail to admissions@sapc.edu.
