Cloud of Witnesses

Abstract

The context: I use this teaching tactic in all of my courses. It is especially beneficial in my “Introduction to Old Testament/Hebrew Bible,” which is designed for first-year MA and MDiv students. The pedagogical purpose: This tactic enhances students' awareness of the discipline and exposes them to the diversity of scholars within biblical studies. Description of the strategy: Each week, I announce a featured biblical scholar. (I use the “Announcements” section in my course management system.) I provide the name and institutional affiliation of the selected biblical scholar, including a hyperlink to the scholar's personal or faculty webpage. I select different types of scholars (for example, gender, race/ethnicity, nationality, type of institution, confessional stance, sub-discipline, and so forth). I use the featured scholars as examples in lecture and class discussion, especially if I have assigned their articles or books for the course. After attending professional meetings, I mention to students that I met, talked to, and heard presentations from these scholars (and purchased their books at a discount!). Why it is effective: This tactic helps to pique students' interest in biblical studies. I find that students refer to some of the posts in office hours and in class discussion. For example, Dr. Theodore Burgh, whose research covers archeology and ancient music, was one of my featured biblical scholars. He is on the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Wilmington and an alumnus of Howard University School of Divinity. I highlight him when I talk about archeological findings. Students have mentioned Dr. Burgh when asking me about archeology or joining a dig. This tactic is also effective in demonstrating that I value diversity and it supports my deliberate inclusion of scholars of color among required readings. The books and articles that we read are not disembodied texts but scholarship that reflects the time, effort, and research interests of real people, not all of whom are white, male, or Christian. Providing this exposure to the discipline helps students to see the world of scholarship outside of our classroom and the community of flesh-and-blood people who create such scholarship. Also, it increases the likelihood that students may see themselves as future contributors to such scholarship. I do not have a budget to invite lots of different scholars to campus, but the links give me a quick and easy way to show students a range of scholars.