Team Teaching at Penn State Abington
At Penn State Abington, you can get two teachers for the price of one.
Mel Seeholtz, liberal critic of organized religion, and Bryan Polk, campus chaplain, have co-taught RL ST 140Y: “Religion in American Life and Thought” for the past two years.
According to The Chronicle of Higher Education, these liberal/conservative counterparts have equally shared the responsibility of teaching the class, which covers the functions and tensions of modern religion. Controversial stuff.
Rather than promoting vehement debate, the class allows the teachers to explore unconventional viewpoints. The manifest curriculum focuses on modern religion, but the latent curriculum teaches students to respect the opposing opinions of others.
The teachers build off of each other’s opinions to create an ad-lib-esque classroom experience. Guest speakers frequently make appearances to pepper the debates with additional religious perspectives (Mormons, Christian Scientists, etc.).
I wish Penn State offered more courses like this one. What do you think?
Your ad blocker is on.
Please choose an option below.
Purchase a Subscription!
About the Author
The Juice Is Worth The Squeeze: Jack Anderson-Jussen’s Senior Column
“If I’ve learned anything worth sharing, it’s this: be kind. Help when you can. Offer grace even when life isn’t offering it to you.”
Penn State Women’s Volleyball To Play At AT&T Stadium August 27
The event features a $1 million prize pool, the largest ever in women’s sports.
Fundraiser Benefits Indian Orphans
Interested in food, music, and a good cause? Come to the HOINA Spaghetti Dinner tomorrow evening to satisfy these three interests and more.
The price of $7 includes dinner, dessert, and live instrumental music, ranging from a viola quartet to traditional Indian kirtans.
Homes of the Indian Nation (HOINA) is a nonprofit organization which runs an orphanage and school in Andhra Pradesh, India. All proceeds from the fundraiser will directly benefit the orphans themselves.
Learn more about the event after the jump.