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Final essay asked students to reflect on 4 readings/videos/artwork/etc from the semester that most impacted/challenged/changed/expanded their views of theology, christianity, &/or religion (first year core intro). They were WONDERFUL to read -and also instructive for me./1
Things I learned/had confirmed: 1. diverse art is such an important component for opening the mind to God & theology....Kelly Latimore's ( @KLICONS ) Trinity in particular was groundbreaking for many in my class opening up possibility to think differently on God & gender./2
2. Even though was much harder than in person discussions, navigating discomfort is something often appreciated. More than 1/2 my class wrote about James Cone's Strange Fruit essay (a short, workable summary of his Cross & lynching tree book). & due to COVID19, they were home /3
& wrote about making their parents/families read it so that they too would discuss & think about it. More than 1 noted connection to Amaud case & this was the reading I was most nervous about not having in person processing for./4
4. Every student picked some reading with connection to asking BIG questions about God but not settling answers....whether #Aquinas #Luther @JamesMartinSJ or Anne Nasimiyu-Wasike on African Women's Experience....students noted the space to ask questions w/o 1 answer helpful./5
Similarly, most also note that openness wasn't what they expected from theology (based in experience of ccd/hs or popular media). Key role Theology & Philosophy play in #core is creating space for students 2 learn 2 pursue big questions abt life, sacred, God, themselves openly./6
It was a privilege to accompany these young adults on their journey, for a little while, and despite all the chaos of covid19 & stress for many - some meaningful learning happened for all of us. #lovemyjob #loveSJUstudents (finding positive in othwerise awful semester)/end.
