Saturday, February 24, 2007

Reformed Curriculum

So lately I have been thinking about (and discussing) the idea of a Reformed Curriculum and whether or not there are idiosyncracies that make it unique to other types of curriculum. Russ Warren presented on his analysis of this subject, and indeed it was not only extremely well articulated and researched, it was also compelling. However, I begin to question how, practically speaking, this plays out in what is offered in the curriculum and how this is different than what any other college is doing. At Geneva we talk a lot about our "Reformed Perspective", and indeed we are a Reformed Presbyterian college rooted in the Reformed tradition. However, what is to say that our "Reformed" curriculum is not exactly like that of Liberty University (definitely NOT Reformed), Nyack College, or (gasp) that "liberal" Christian school in St. Davids, PA, Eastern University. We articulate well our theoretical and theological positions on the curriculum (which Russ did very well), yet I am not sure it plays out any differently than other colleges. Can we honestly say that offering a random assortment of English, Speech, Science, Political Science, Humanities, etc. is any different? Is the content of these course any different, especially within mainstream Christian schools like those in the CCCU (by mainstream I mean schools like Mt. Vernon, Grove City, Waynesburg...not schools like Bob Jones University and Pensecola Christian College). Some of us have heard the rumblings of a change in the curriculum by our Academic Dean Dave Guthrie. If those supposed changes go through (which I hope they do) I think our curriculum will then make a serious attempt to reflect our "Reformed Perspective" in a practical way. These supposed changes include a core than is tied together by not only a central theme but a department that makes sure this cohesion exists. Additionally there would be less credits per major and room for more electives. All of this, of course, is not unlike what already occurs at "secular" albeit very selective liberal arts colleges like Amherst in Massachusetts. Students take more electives to become more well-rounded in a variety of areas. Does this not exemplify a glimpse of the "Reformed Perspective?" I tend to believe that it does, but I would love to hear your thoughts.

3 comments:

Chris said...

i think i agree. but i'm definitely biased because elective credits are the best thing that ever happened to me and my major was full of them.

geneva is a lot closer to a reformed perspective than a lot of schools, but unfortunately it is a lot closer to fundamentalism than a lot of other schools. that's the part that i rubs me the wrong me. i find the reformed perspective compelling, but the fundamentalist, uh, non-compelling.

i'm definitely looking forward to seeing what guthrie will do.

Anonymous said...

Although I agree that Geneva needs to change the curriculum to "stand out" from the rest of the "run of the mill" Christian Schools like Guthrie has entertained. My question Byran is what do you mean by "reformed curriculum"? I have an idea, but we may have different views.

. said...

Bryan - great blog man. I blogged about your blog. funny! So i hope you all get to come out this coming weekend. It would be goot to hang out with yall.

As for the reformed tradition, i can see from your line of sight (i think) and those types of changes are exciting. I think anything like needing to pick more electives will fight the indifference and lack of intellectual curiosity that comes with a cookie-cutter academic schedule.

Freedom needs room, and it seems like Dr. G (the good doctor) is heading down an exciting path.