Your First-Year Seminar will participate in a campus-wide discussion prompted by Arcadia’s Common Read, a book chosen for its ability to generate critical conversations about social justice in the United States.

Crossing the Line
by Kareem Rosser
“The thing that seems to shock people most about Philadelphia, above all else, is when I tell them about the horses in our neighborhood.
Imagine walking down an inner-city block; there are the usual papi stores (our name for bodegas), folks sitting out on their stoops and hanging on the street corners, men drinking in empty lots and kids running wild, and then, out of nowhere, a Black man comes charging down the street on a full-grown horse.
In my neighborhood, that could happen any time.”
• • •
First-year students will discuss Crossing the Line with your First-Year Seminar and introductory English class, and have the opportunity to meet (and get your book signed by) the author, Kareem Rosser, on Thursday, October 6, when he visits Arcadia’s campus. All first-year students will also have the opportunity to submit questions for Rosser, and 10 students will be chosen to ask their questions, live, on October 6.
Submit a Question
First-year students can submit questions for a Q&A session with Kareem Rosser. Ten students will be chosen to ask their questions live on October 6.
Essay Contest
First-year students can submit written, photo, or video essays to the Common Read Essay Contest for the chance to win a cash prize.










David Hogg, Glimmer of Hope (2019)
Sister Helen Prejean, Dead Man Walking (2018)
Nicole Maines, Becoming Nicole (2017)
Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy (2016)
Alan Cumming, Not My Father’s Son (2015)
David Hogg, Glimmer of Hope (2019)
Sister Helen Prejean, Dead Man Walking (2018)
Nicole Maines, Becoming Nicole (2017)
Bryan Stevenson, Just Mercy (2016)
Alan Cumming, Not My Father’s Son (2015)