Yesterday I was talking with an employee at the college about ways that I could serve the college. I had asked months ago whether or not they had a chaplaincy dept. (They don't) But she was asking whatever happened with my inquiry. Then she handed me a catalog, and said, "Why don't you teach a non-credit course?" She seemed confident that if I put together a course in practical theology, that I could get in the catalog.
I thought that was a really cool idea. I'd love to hear what kind of class you think: a. I could teach well, 2. would appeal to the public, and D. that people would pay to come to. What are your thoughts?
--Ben
* Yes, I know that my numbering is wrong, that is a shout out to Buzz, a character in Home Alone the movie.
7 comments:
I think you're on to something Ben. In this setting, by virtue of the fact that you're "clergy" you're an "expert." So I think you could definitely pull this off. Not to mention, you're a gifted teacher/speaker. Here are a couple of ideas:
1. I took a course years ago at AACC on "The Bible as Literature". The course looked at Scripture as a piece of literature (with a rather non-conservative bias). It also looked at various modern works of fiction that used themes, motifs and images from the Bible. It was a good, if frustrating course. It whet my appetite for more.
2. Christianity and Culture - A course that looks specifically at how Christianity has shaped modern American culture (for both good and ill). It could also look at the culture's influence on the American church today.
3. American Jesus - similar to the course above, but focused on the person of Christ. Perhaps could look at depictions of Jesus in film, comedy & literature. (Boy it would be fun to watch the Life of Brian in class!) It could also look at the biblical picture (of course).
4. Christianity and Politics (or Christianity and the Public Good): The trick with this one would be to steer the class away from equating "Christian" with white-anglo-saxon protestant conservative Republicans. The class could look at Christianity's influence (for good or for ill) on public policy throughout history. For instance, the church's advocacy for the poor and abandoned since its beginning, the seeds of democracy in the reformation, the church and human rights, etc.
What an exciting prospect!
Wow...Great input, Jim. My idea was along the same lines as the Christianity and Politics Class that Jim outlined. You enjoy Politics so much that I think you would do a really good job on both fronts and this would be a great year to do it.
S
Professor, where did you learn to outline- a,2,D?? Teach a course on outlining. %^)
Pupil, Read the fine print at the bottom of the syllabus.
--Prof.
What a wonderful opportunity! If I may offer a thought ... I'll bet Global University or Chi Alpha would have wonderful material so you wouldn't have to reinvent the wheel and could focus your energy on building relationships with the students. Even just offering the 'Alpha' course would be a possibility.
Keep up the good work!!
what about adapting some of the teaching series you've already done, like the parenting, sex, money topics. You could call it "21st century Christianity."
Grasshopper, when I clicked the "Show Original Post" button it did not show the addendum.
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