This summer, the Harte Center for Teaching and Learning invites faculty and staff to take part in a shared reading experience of Kazuo Ishiguro’s Klara and the Sun. Designed with flexibility in mind, this program offers a meaningful opportunity to connect with colleagues, explore timely themes around artificial intelligence, and prepare for engaging community conversations in the Fall term.
Participants will receive a free copy of the book and can join us for a series of three biweekly Zoom discussions held between mid-July and mid-August. Each session will focus on a portion of the novel, culminating in a final conversation that reflects on the book as a whole and considers its relevance for teaching and learning.
A Flexible, Summer-Friendly Format
We know summer schedules can be unpredictable, so this program is built to accommodate varying levels of availability. In addition to live Zoom sessions, participants will have access to asynchronous tools that support ongoing engagement:
- Perusall: A shared, interactive reading space where participants can annotate the text, pose questions, and respond to one another. The first session will include a brief, hands-on introduction.
- Padlet: A collaborative space for sharing broader context; articles, media, author background, and related resources that enrich the reading experience.
Whether you attend every session or dip in as your schedule allows, you’ll be part of a dynamic, low-pressure learning community.
Why Klara and the Sun?
As the upcoming first-year common read, Klara and the Sun offers a compelling entry point into discussions about artificial intelligence, ethics, perception, and human connection. This summer series provides a space to explore those themes through a distinctly Harte Center lens; one that integrates critical AI analysis with thoughtful, interdisciplinary dialogue.
At the same time, participants will gain hands-on experience with several of the Harte Center’s supported academic technologies, including Zoom, Perusall, Canvas, and Padlet, in a low-stakes, supportive environment.
Join Us
Sign-up now! Space may be limited to ensure active discussion, so we encourage you to register early once the form becomes available.
Spend part of your summer reading, reflecting, and connecting—with a great book and a great community.