Book Club

What is this Reading for Planet Earth Book Club about? We read books that have been advancing green thinking and doing. ‘Green’ could relate to nature conservation, (human) ecology, sustainable consumption, or to environmental sustainability in the broadest sense. We read classics as well as contemporary bestsellers and aim for an inclusive and diverse list of authors and topics.

Why a book club? Especially in an academic setting, reading is essential. Yet, it is so difficult to make time to read books. Committing to this book club will solve that. Further, discussing a book in a (small) group of people will enlarge and sharpen understanding and expand worlds. And it is more fun than thinking about it on your own.

For whom? Anyone is welcome; from first year students to facilitating staff and full professors. Also open to non-affiliates of the WUR.

What is the format? Every month you read a book. Then we discuss it in a physical (not digital) meeting of one hour. The format of these meetings may vary, but generally there will be a short plenary session, followed by discussions in small break-out groups, followed by a plenary wrap-up. The book reading is the cake; the meeting, the cherry on the cake.

What is the language of the book club? We read books published in, or translated into, English. Related meetings will also be held in English. Occassionally, there may be a book written in Dutch. Discussing those books can also be done in English.

I am a WUR BSc/MSc student. Can I earn something by participating?
For students -, in addition to the intellectual credits, - it may be possible to earn ECTS. For 3 ECTS you need to read 3 books from the list, participate in the 3 related meetings, and write a 2000 word synthesis paper according to social scientific academic standards. For 6 ECTS it’s 6 books and a 4000 word paper. If you want to make use of this opportunity, you can email Koen or speak to him after a book club session.

I am a WUR (WASS) PhD student. Can I earn something by participating? 
For PhD students connected to Wageningen School of Social Sciences (WASS), to prevent adding further stresses and obligations, WASS is prepared to provide you with 1 ECT for every book that you read + associated meeting you attend (with a maximum of 3 ECTS – Category A2 in your TSP). So, no need for PhD students to write papers or do anything else; just read and join a one hour discussion of the book. If you want to make use of this opportunity, you can email Koen or speak to him after a book club session.
For students from other graduate schools who want to participate for ECTS, it is best to check with you own graduate school first to see what may be possible. Potential opportunities can then be discussed with Koen.

How do I join? Simply read the book and come to the meeting. To keep up-to-date with announcements, sign up to the newsletter (at right), and don’t forget to confirm your subscription directly in your inbox. If you are interested but not sure if you can make it to many meetings, feel also free to sign up.

How do I obtain the books? The onus is on you to obtain the books. Some older titles may be available digitally through www.gutenberg.org. The (WUR) library may also have hard or digital copies available. Purchase requests to the library may also offer possibilities, but they would have to be made timely.