Those of us who teach in humanities fields at university face the threshold of every new semester with the sinking feeling that we have dedicated our lives to something “the culture” no longer values. We’re useless, if not downright nefarious.
Another Semester of Being Useless Read More »
arts, college life
And I was surprised to find: I felt some grief. Why, for goodness sake? Was The Bit Between My Teeth: A Literary Chronicle of 1950-1965 (from 1965, not surprisingly) somehow personally important to me? It was not.
Goodbye to the Books Read More »
Calvin events, college life
Our brains are altered by swimming in digital media, its allures and distractions. And our lives of continuous partial attention make deep concentration more difficult. We can still do it, but it’s harder.
We’ve Forgotten How to Read Read More »
college life, spirituality
It’s a modern day Cinderella trope, isn’t it? The long-suffering, virtuous-and-talented high schooler is visited by a talent agent/scout/special teacher/fairy godperson who provides them with the means to zing through the Dress Ball of Admissions and be whisked off to Handsome Prince University, which of course ensures them a rich and fulfilling future although we remain fuzzy on the details.
Lies We Tell Young People Read More »
Calvin events, college life, cultural commentary
I’m paying now, hiking up a very steep learning curve as I try to get back in the game. The game, of course, has changed.
Adventures in Face-to-Face Learning: A Week in Lists Read More »
college life
It’s disturbing to recognize that in the Noah story, God does the same sort of thing that the Babylonian gods do in their flood story.” That’s what she said, this bold and thoughtful student in world lit class. We had been pondering the flood story in the ancient Sumerian/Babylonian epic Gilgamesh, sorting out the differences from
Word of the Lord, Thanks Be to God Read More »
college life, spirituality
For all you college students out there, it’s time to gird up your binders and get ready for a parade of professors thrusting their course syllabi at you. On the off chance that you will actually read these syllabi—my research shows that only about one-third of students do, and only when gently bribed—you might be
The College Syllabus: An Annotated Guide Read More »
college life, silly
Next time you encounter a college senior, you will inevitably be tempted to ask, “So what’s your major?” and “So what are you going to do with that?” Before you utter those words, please stop. Be gentle. Think of something else to ask. Why? Because in the words of one of my dear current seniors:
Please Stop: Calvin Seniors on Vocation Read More »
college life, spirituality, theology
I couldn’t even watch one whole episode. The first season of the new Marie Kondo television series, Tidying Up with Marie Kondo, dropped on Netflix this week. Obviously, Netflix timed this premier to capitalize on our New Year’s ambitions before they fade into Februarian disappointment. The beloved “Japanese tidying guru” was no doubt destined for
Legacy Sorting the KonMari Way Read More »
college life, cultural commentary, pop culture
On a typical day, I prepare to teach three different texts for the three courses I’m currently teaching: Shakespeare, Early British Literature, and introductory creative writing. This seems inefficient, don’t you think? What if I could prepare only one reading for all three courses?
How To Achieve Syllabus Efficiency Read More »
college life, silly