I went along to a lecture with Josh last week for a subject I'm really interested in. It's called the Christian Imagination. It's about the theology behind art, and using art to explore theology. It includes a visit to a monastry, a local sculptors studio, singing lessons, dancing, poetry and more.
And yet half of the assessment is a response to the readings. A lot of readings. And that part really scares me. Because the readings are heavy. The type you have to read and then re-read. Some are olden day style too, they just don't read smoothly to me. And poetry. Perhaps I'm not a real artist if I don't understand poetry, but to me it's like strange modern art. I find it so cryptic. Please don't get me wrong, I'm not opposed to poetry, I just don't speak that language.
Josh read me a quote from one of his text books which had way too many big words in one sentence. It made me angry. I feel like it is pompus and elitist the way "educated" people use exclusive language that the average 'Jo' can't understand.
I took a 4 year teaching course and it took me until near the end to work out that the 'pedagogy' they'd been talking about all along just meant 'teaching'. Why on earth can't they just say that then?
I think people at universities make up words.
So, all of this to say that I no long desire to study. BUT I do desire (and plan to continue) to learn and read and be taught by inspiring people.
Ah Show, you've captured my fears about Bible College so accurately. Sometimes academics can get so caught up in thier academia that they forget how to speak simply. As for poetry, I don't think it detracts at all from your right to be called an artist, it's just another form like a tradesperson being a carpenter rather than an electrician. I struggle to understand poetry too most of the time.
ReplyDeleteSo cute that you're tagging along for lectures. What does Joshy think of it?
Love you xx
I'm hearing you!
ReplyDeleteCatherine, Josh is really keen to do it - especially the poetry(!) although he's a bit apprehensive about the dancing, so I'd like to be a fly on the wall to see that :)
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that bible colleges have a high standard, and it's important to have people who really know their stuff.
Thanks Cassie!
You took the words right out of my mouth! My teaching course isn't too bad (once you learn the buzzwords like pedagogy and multiliteracies), but I have had a few readings where it was like translating a sentence from Chinese to English because they said something simple in all these big, fluffy words! I feel exactly the same - it appears pompous and annoying at times...but I think you're right that maybe academics just forget that not everyone speaks in jargonese.
ReplyDeleteDancing?? What's that? I'd like to be a fly on the wall for that one too!!
ReplyDeletei agree with all of the above. I love art, love to read heaps, but the academics....?? And poetry? Some of it I love, but a lot is inaccessible to me.