One of the main requirements for our class is designing a syllabus for a course we would like to teach (and then teaching/leading some activity from an actually session). At first, this seemed easy enough to me. But I am trying to take to heart Dr. Smith’s encouragement to us to go outside our comfort zones and do some new things. So, I have changed from what I had initially planned to something else. What I am thinking about is some introductory class on the Bible that looks at it in a fresher or more appealing way. Having a great deal of interest also in all kinds of literature, it comes to me that something along the lines of the Bible as literature (a common course taught in community colleges these days) might be a possibility. The aim is to help persons make sense of the Bible by approaching it as literature. I’m not certain that many people realize the impact of the Bible, especially on western civilization and especially in literature. I also have a feeling that the Bible may well be seen as a mysterious, out-dated book that’s only read in Sunday school, which has no relevance to our world at all. So what I would like to do is offer something that would help persons overcome some of this, gain real ability to read and understand the Bible, and make connections on how it has and still is impacting society. It seems approaching it from a literary standpoint might be a good way to begin doing some of that. I know what I want to do with the course, but a title for it escapes me presently. I don’t know – are titles for course important? If so, how important? If you were a student at GMU or a community college, would a course like the one above have any interest at all? What might a more engaging, interesting title or even topic be? I’d appreciate your feedback and thoughts. Maybe I need to scrap that whole idea and come up with another. Thanks, Bass
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Don’t scrap the idea! A really rigorous look at the Bible as Literature would prove very appealing indeed, and I think it might allow you to achieve one of your aims for your teaching, too, the bringing together of students from all different faith traditions, or none at all, to study a single, influential text. I can imagine how being freed of the need to find find a faith-based meaning (or defend a specific, dearly held, faith-based meaning) all the time might liberate individuals to approach the words, and particularly the language, with a heightened attention.
Being a one-time scholar of the seventeenth century, I couldn’t conclude my response without begging for the King James’ version, but even the comparison of different translations – at different periods, and from different traditions – might be a fascinating element to the learning community. But for your major question, a title, I have to confess I have no ideas at the moment…
Thanks for the encouragement. I spent a part of the weekend doing more research and reflection on the whole subject of the Bible as literature. What I discovered was illuminating and helpful. It made me realize, along with your comments, that this could be an exciting course to teach. It would appeal to a diverse group. I would not have to approach it from the usual one (as you say), which would free me and challenge me to take a whole new tack on it. It has a lot of potential that I can see for students and to help me grow as a teacher. So I am going to go with that. But I still haven’t found a title I like. I have the same problem with sermon titles, too! But I am not going to force it at this time. I have a feeling that the more into it I get, something will come to mind. Thanks, Bass