Teaching “The Bible and Current Events” Online

    A blog like this blog, with hundreds of posts and thousands of comments from students and professors around the world, is a fabulous place to grow if the goal is to get people to argue about what the Bible has to say, and the use and abuse it receives from would-be friends and erstwhile enemies. The goal of a blog like this one is to build philosophical bridges, not burn them down; to search for intellectual common ground, without being afraid to note areas of disagreement.

    My problem as a lecturer is that I get a head of steam going, address a topic in depth, and maintain eye contact with the class for 30 minute stretches, during which you can’t hear a pin drop. That’s good but also limiting. What I really want is for students to argue with me and challenge my approach, and go on to develop topics I introduce in ways that make sense to them, but remain respectful of those with whom they disagree.

    The “The Bible and Current Events” class I am teaching is popular. More students want to take it than can. 45 students is the limit, so that is how many students I have. They include business, nursing, theatre, music, and religious studies majors; freshmen and sophomores, juniors and seniors. I am not actually teaching the course online (though once I figure out how to podcast the lectures, I may do that). But I am requiring students to comment on assigned threads. They are expected to offer questions, make arguments, and express feelings. I will grade their comment output for spelling, grammar, and coherence with the stated goals of the course.

    The goals of the course are the following.

The Bible and Current Events
RELSTDS 106-001C
Spring 2011
Tu & Th 9:40-11:10 AM

1. To approach the Bible with an open mind, according to the highest standards of academic inquiry. We will walk out of the classroom with questions, not answers.
2. To read widely in the Bible. We will also read from literature that once served as scripture in Jewish and Christian contexts but is largely unknown today.
3. To develop a critical eye for the ways in which the Bible is used to make an argument, express a way of life, evoke a truth or falsehood. The goal is to develop a capacity for self-scrutiny, a flair for imagining a narrative in which to live, and the ability to put oneself in another’s place (Martha Nussbaum, Cultivating Humanity [Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1997]).
4. To practice writing well. A premium will be placed on quality, not quantity.
5. To practice teamwork and think of it as a value. The need to evaluate individual performance exists, but when all is said and done, “individual performance” is an oxymoron. 

    I will pass on the course outline in a future post. Those who already comment here, please continue to do so. You will help me teach to and learn with my students.

    A warning: commenters who dish it out but are offended if someone dishes it back are not welcome. Drama queens will not be tolerated. Challenge me or another commenter all you want, but do so in a way that proves you are in full agreement with goals #3-#5 above.

Comments

[Chariots Of Fire]

I know its hard to be a Pastor and a teacher at the same time because I was in those shoes before. I was the president of my youth group, the band leader, and also a full-time worker. I know it's stressful to do these kind of work, but it's life and I think it was God's gift to you to do these kind of work. Keep up with what your doing because life is good when you stay positive.

[Nell 4]

Being both a teacher and Pastor I am sure can be frustrating at times, especially trying to figure out the best ways for your students to understand their interpretations of the bible. I know you want students to question and argue certain points of the bible in class but I think most feel not so confident in what we think. I can say for myself coming to class with an open mind is hard, especially when you grew up around a certain religion your entire life, but it is definitely nice knowing how others interpret the bible though. Shows how were all not so different after all.

[JohnFH]

I understand, Nell 4. Still, it's important to learn how to stand up for what one believes, or what one does not believe. Furthermore, the practice of arguing one's case while respecting the views of others is a great life skill.

[Nell 4]

I would have to agree it is important to stand up for what one believes or doesn't. It's definitely a great skill to have, but for some reason that's hard to do when it comes to the Bible. I guess I can say I am a confrontational person, but taking this class I find it being a challenge to speak up in class and say what I think. The group discussions do help a lot though. I find that my views and the way other view certain topics in the Bible are quite similar. That gives me more motivation in learning new things and to challenge myself.