Prepping Class with Newspaper in Hand Posted on August 25, 2014 by Julia FoggI have observed that most of my traditional undergraduates do not read the day’s news reports, listen to weekly political analysts, or even follow current issues on social media. Unfortunately, this lacunae can further the perceived disconnect between the classroom/campus and “real life”…. ….so how can a newspaper help? What happens when we put contemporary issues side by side with biblical texts in the classroom? Can we prep class like Jeremiah, one eye on God’s word and the other on the political jungle around us?
Tech for Adjuncts: Four Commandments for Getting By Posted on August 18, 2014 by Josh KingcadeWhile full time faculty have access to equipment and training, many adjuncts must just wing it with what they already have…. I’m fully committed to a responsible and robust use of technology for my teaching. So what am I to do? Well, I’ve found ways to manage, and I’d like to share a few with you.
Building Trust Posted on August 11, 2014 by Jane S. Webster“The dog ate my homework.” Sigh. We have all heard it before in one form or another. It’s hard to know when students are being truthful. In the past, we may have tried keeping track of excuses, checking to make sure the printers actually worked, and calling the coach to make sure they had a game. In the end, we might give them the benefit of the doubt because it is less trouble. But what we might not be realizing is that we might be actually harming our students when we don’t trust them. Today, let’s consider why it is so important to build trust between teachers and students….
Repository of Truth: Full and Unrestricted Access? Posted on August 1, 2014 by Gregory CuéllarAdmissions policies for entering into a repository of truth—whether it be museums, archives, or libraries—are more complex than simple technical rules involving security and preservation. Although the stewardship of material culture is a genuine concern, all rules of admission contain social and political dimensions….
The Bible and Pop Culture: An Academic Journey? Posted on July 18, 2014 by Chris ParisWhenever I learn of classes that feature pop culture, my initial enthusiasm is always tempered by wondering how any of these courses can truly be academic. I had the opportunity to wrestle with this issue when Vanderbilt Divinity School allowed me to teach The Bible in American Culture….