Comments on: Denial’s End

By: Chris Jones

Chris Jones — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:08:58 +0000

Teaching: Intro to Judaism. Taking: Didactic Wisdom Lit (from Fox, the “other” master–i.e. not Seow), Linguisics and Biblical Hebrew, and Biblical Archeology. Studying Syriac independently. Excited about: trying new pedagogical techniques, like assigning close readings (well, it’s new to us) and focusing on conceptual, rather than factual, learning.

Also excited about giving my second academic lecture (and first-ever to undergrads). Thanks, by the way, for giving me the opportunity to give my first (even if it was on Chronicles).

By: Christopher B. Hays

Christopher B. Hays — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 04:00:06 +0000

One colleague has said that the quarter system is good for students–it’s like a tasting menu for them–but not for faculty.

At a couple of levels it’s a wash — we teach a 2-2-2 (or less with a Ph.D. advising load), and actual class time is comparable to semesters with a 2-2. And the summers are the same length, though time-shifted.

The way that quarters stink is in prep — and since I have nothing but new preps for two solid years… Once I have my syllabi set up and can just tinker, and design a new course now and then, I think I’ll be much less concerned about that, though.

I guess if there’s an advantage, it’s that I “get” to teach a lot of interesting things, as opposed to being on a 2-2 at a university, where one would have to devote one’s energy to fewer subjects. It certainly keeps you sharp. I mean, Ugaritic and Akkadian on top of two Hebrew exegesis courses and two doctoral seminars all in the first two years? Show me another job where I could have done that.

By: anummabrooke

anummabrooke — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:19:18 +0000

Chris, I’ll ask you in another venue if you don’t check back here, but: Do you like quarters, as a teacher? If so, what do you like? If not, what don’t you like?

Strictly curiosity. I’ve only taught a bit on the quarter system, and it was languages, which you know to be an idiosyncratic kind of subject matter.

By: anummabrooke

anummabrooke — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 01:12:59 +0000

I agree: reports, please! And not just comparison of rigor, but anything on pedagogy that I might fruitfully steal, er, emulate.

By: adamofclay

adamofclay — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 00:42:47 +0000

I am most excited about testing my year of Hebrew tutelage under the one and only Dr. G. Brooke Lester at another school (North Park) for a Hebrew readings class. It is always a thrill to see how your school matches up with the place down the street.

By: Alan Lenzi

Alan Lenzi — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 03:09:00 +0000

You’re showing us all up with your pedagogical reading. That’ll look good to employers.

By: Christopher B. Hays

Christopher B. Hays — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 02:46:20 +0000

Reminder: Those of us on quarters started summer a month later and still have a month to go.

By: Amanda Baker

Amanda Baker — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:50:11 +0000

PS.. your bit about the change to Hebrew has me intrigued.

By: Amanda Baker

Amanda Baker — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 22:49:15 +0000

This semester I’m taking, or rather, retaking, UM Studies Wesley and 19th century. I am excited about the opportunity to finish something I started last fall, but had to withdraw from the course due to my illness/pregnancy/insane schedule. I’ll also be taking Christian Moral Theology. I don’t know a lot about the course, but I will be taking it from Dr. Brent Waters, a man from whom I have been told numerous times not to leave Garrett without taking a class. I’m also taking my last semester of Vocational Formation and Church Leadership, I’ve already seen the syllabus, and several new changes have me intrigued.