Hospes: The Wabash Center as a Site of Transformative Hospitality

Abstract. The Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion is a place of hospitality and its staff the epitome of the “good host.” This essay explores the meaning of hospitality, including its problematic dimensions, drawing on a number of voices and texts: Jacques Derrida's Of Hospitality; Henri M. Nouwen's Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life, N. Lynne Westfield's Dear Sisters: A Womanist Practice of Hospitality, Arthur Sutherland's I Was a Stranger: A Christian Theology of Hospitality, and Kathleen Norris's “Hospitality.” Beginning with the claim that hospitality is concerned with power and grace, the essay explores the relationship between hospitality and teaching, and the modes by which the Wabash Center helps teachers both find their identities and heal.     

Reviews

Books reviewed Webb, Stephen H., Taking Religion to School: Christian Theology and Secular Education Hillocks, George, Jr., Ways of Thinking, Ways of Teaching Brinkley, Alan; Dessants, Betty; Flamm, Michael; Fleming, Cynthia; Forcey, Charles; and Rothschild, Eric, The Chicago Handbook for Teachers: A Practical Guide to the College Classroom Kiely, Robert, Learning: Spiritual Sketches from a Professor's Life Hart, D. G., University Gets Religion: Religious Studies in American Higher Education Sutherland, Peter, (ed.), Adult Learning: A Reader Seldin, Peter. (ed.), Changing Practices in Evaluating Teaching: A Practical Guide to Improved Faculty Performance and Promotion/Tenure Decisions Hayes, Elizabeth; Flannery, Daniele D. with Brooks, Ann K., Tisdell, Elizabeth J.; and Hugo, Jane M., Women as Learners: The Significance of Gender in Adult Learning     

Reviews

Books reviewed Martha C. Nussbaum, Cultivating Humanity: A Classical Defense of Reform in Liberal Education Arthur Levine and Jeanette Cureton, When Hope and Fear Collide: A Portrait of Today's College Student Peter Sacks, Generation X goes to college: An Eye-Opening Account of Teaching in Postmodern America Nancey C. Murphy, Reasoning and Rhetoric in Religion Anna Neumann and Penelope L. Peterson (eds), Learning From Our Lives: Women, Research, and Aitobiography in Education Barbara J. Millis and Philip G. Cottell, Jr, Cooperatibe Learning for Higher Education Faculty Timothy E. Fulop and Albert J. Raboteau Jr (eds), African-American Religion: Interpretive Essays in History and Culture Bart D. Ehrman, The New Testament: A Historical Introduction to the Early Christian Writings Martin S. Jaffee, Early Judaism     

Reviews

Books reviewed Mark Taylor, ed. Critical Terms for Religious Studies James Tunstead Burtchaell The Dying of the Light: The Disengagement of Colleges & Universities from their Christian Churches Stephen D. Brookfield and Stephen Preskill Discussion as a Way of Teaching: Tools and Techniques for Democratic Classrooms Janet Eyler and Dwight E. Giles, jr. Where’s the Learning in Service‐Learning W. Paul Vogt Tolerance and Education: Learning to Live with Diversity and Difference     

Reviews

Books reviewed: Peter C. Hodgson God's Wisdom: Toward a Theology of Education Charles F. Melchert Wise Teaching: Biblical Wisdom and Educational Ministry Fernando F. Segovia and Mary Ann Tolbert, eds., Teaching the Bible: The Discourses and Politics and Biblical Pedagogy H. Edward Everding, Jr. Mary W. Wilcox, Lucinda A. Huffaker and Clarence H. SnellingViewpoints: Faith Perspectives and Christian Nurture Peter McLaren Revolutionary Multiculturalism: Pedagogies of Dissent for the New Millennium     

Reviews

Ammerman, Nancy, Congregation and Community Centre for the Study of Religion and Society, University of VictoriaWomen in religion: Parts I and II (video) Gilpin, W., Clark, A. A Preface to Theology Kuklik, Bruce and Hart, D. G., eds., Religious Advocacy and American History Marsden, George M., The Outrageous Idea of Christian Scholarship O'Hare, Padraic, The Enduring Covenant: The Education of Christians and the End of Antisemitism Reiser, William, S. J., Ed., Love of Learning: Desire for Justice, Undergraduate Education and the Option for the Poor Roth, John K., ed., Inspiring Teaching: Carnegie Professors of the Year Speak     

The Politics and Ethics of Introductions to the New Testament

Book reviewed in this essay: Lane Ryo Hirabayashi, (ed.) Teaching Asian America: Diversity and the Problem of Community Ellen T. Charry, By the Renewing of Your Minds: The Pastoral Function of Christian Doctrine Lynne Celli Sarasin, Learning Style Perspectives: Impact in the Classroom     

Reviews

Books reviewed Hirabayashi, Lane Ryo, (ed.), Teaching Asian America: Diversity and the Problem of Community Charry, Ellen T., By the Renewing of Your Minds: The Pastoral Function of Christian Doctrine Sarasin, Lynne C., Learning Style Perspectives: Impact in the Classroom     

High Tech or High Touch: Will Technology Help or Hurt Our Teaching?

Books reviewed in this article: David G. Brown, Interactive Learning: Vignettes from America's Most Wired Campuses Marc Eisenstadt and Tom Vincent, The Knowledge Web: Learning and Collaborating on the Net Pat Maier, Liz Bamett, Adam Warren, and David Brunner, Using Technology in Teaching and Learning Adam Warren, David Brunner, Pat Maier, and Liz Barnett, Using Technology in Teaching and Learning: An Introductory Guide Steve Ryan, Bernard Scott, Howard Freeman, and Daxa Patel, The Virtual University: The Internet and Resource‐Based Learning     

Book Reviews

Book reviewed in this article: Ronald Rolheiser, Seeking Spirituality: Guidelines for a Christian Spirituality for the Twenty‐First Century Constance L. Benson, God and Caesar: Troeltsch's Social Teaching as Legitimation Karl‐Josef Kuschel, The Poet as Mirror: Human Nature, God and Jesus in Twentieth‐Century Literature     

In Search of the Whole Person: Critical Reflections on Community Language Learning

Teaching methods in the modem-language classroom are widely assumed to be relatively value-neutral techniques, justified by their pragmatic usefulness. Charles A. Curran's “Community Language Learning” is unusual in that it deploys concepts taken from Christian theology in order to expound its core ideas. This article examines the degree to which Curran's methods harmonize with Christian faith, focusing in particular on the concepts of community, autonomy, agency, and the “whole person.” By means of this specific study, the author hopes to shed light on the larger question of how methods in modem-language teaching may be evaluated critically by Christian educators.     

Reviews

Books reviewed: L. Dee Fink. Creating Significant Learning Experiences: An Integrated Approach to Designing College Courses.
Reviewed by David C. Ratke
Lenoir‐Rhyne College Peter Jarvis, John Holford, and Colin Griffin. The Theory & Practice of Learning.
Reviewed by Philip L. Tite
McGill University, Montreal, Canada Katie Geneva Cannon. Teaching Preaching: Isaac Rufus Clark and Black Sacred Rhetoric.
Reviewed by Gregory Heille, O.P.
Aquinas Institute of Theology Heather Fry, Steve Ketteridge, and Stephanie Marshall. A Handbook for Teaching & Learning in Higher Education: Enhancing Academic Practice.
Reviewed by Jacob W. Elias
Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary William M. Timpson, Silvia Sara Canetto, Evelinn Borrayo, and Raymond Yang. Teaching Diversity: Challenges and Complexities, Identities and Integrity.
Reviewed by Michael N. Jagessar
Queen's Foundation for Ecumenical Theological Education UK Bonnie TuSmith and Maureen T. Reddy. Race in the College Classroom: Pedagogy and Politics.
Reviewed by Carol Hepokoski
Meadville Lombard Theological School Annie Howell and Frank Tuitt. Race and Higher Education: Rethinking Pedagogy in Diverse College Classrooms.
Reviewed by David Esterline
McCormick Theological Seminary Julie Kailin. Antiracist Education: From Theory to Practice.
Reviewed by Laura Stivers
Pfeiffer University     

Reviews

Books reviewed Edited by Stephen R. Haynes, Professing in the Postmodern Academy: Faculty and the Future of Church‐Related Colleges. Janet Gail Donald., Learning to Think: Disciplinary Perspectives Edited by Rodney L. Petersen and Nancy M. Rourke, Theological Literacy for the Twenty‐First Century. Clifford Williams, The Life of the Mind: A Christian Perspective Elizabeth Rankin, The Work of Writing: Insights and Strategies for Academics and Professionals James E. Zull, The Art of Changing the Brain: Enriching the Practice of Teaching by Exploring the Biology of Learning. Ministry in a Multicultural World: Beyond Borders. CD‐ROM. Windows 95/XP. 1 disk, no printed guide. San Antonio: Mexican American Cultural Center and JM Communications, 2001 Produced and Directed by Sarah Feinbloom, What Do You Believe? American Teenagers, Spirituality and Freedom of Religion John L. Esposito, Darrell J. Fasching, and Todd Lewis, World Religions Today     

Reviews

Books reviewed: Palloff, Rena M. and Pratt, Keith, Building Learning Communities in Cyberspace: Effective Strategies for the Online Classroom Peters, Otto, Learning and Teaching in Distance Education: Analyses and Interpretations from an International Perspective Katz, Richard N. and associates, Dancing with the Devil: Information Technology and the New Competition in Higher Education White, Ken W. and Weight, Bob H., The Online Teaching Guide: A Handbook of Attitudes, Strategies, and Techniques for the Virtual Classroom Horton, Sarah, Web Teaching Guide: A Practical Approach to Creating Course Web Sites     

Teaching Race: Pedagogical Challenges in Predominantly White Undergraduate Theology Classrooms

While a number of scholars in the field of Christian theology have argued for the importance of teaching diversity and social justice in theology and religious studies classrooms, little has been done to document and assess formally the implementation of such pedagogy. In this article, the authors discuss the findings of a yearlong Scholarship of Multicultural Teaching and Learning (SoMTL) study, which examined student learning and faculty teaching regarding race and white privilege in two theology classrooms. After a brief overview of the study's design and execution, we reflect upon our findings and draw out implications for pedagogical practices. In particular we discuss students' emotional responses to the material and the role of cognitive dissonance in student learning with respect to racial inequality via social structures. See a companion essay in this issue of the journal (Karen Teel, “Getting Out of the Left Lane: The Possibility of White Antiracist Pedagogy”) and responses by the authors of both essays, also published in this issue of the journal (“Responses: Toward an Antiracist Pedagogy”).     

Reviews

Books reviewed Finkel, Donald L., Teaching with Your Mouth Shut Moon, Jennifer A., Reflection in Learning & Professional Development: Theory & Practice Murphy, Terrence J., A Catholic University: Vision and Opportunities Gearon, Liam, ed., English Literature, Theology and the Curriculum Braxton, John M. and Bayer, Alan E., Faculty Misconduct in Collegiate Teaching Daloz, Laurent A., Mentor: Guiding the Journey of Adult Learners Zachary, Lois J., The Mentor's Guide: Facilitating Effective Learning Relationships Maher, Frances A. and Tetreault, Mary Kay Thompson, The Feminist Classroom: Dynamics of Gender, Race and Privilege Logan, Regina L. and Fromberg, Robert, (eds.), The Feminist Classroom: Dynamics of Gender, Race and Privilege Race, Phil, 500 Tips on Group Learning     

Reviews

Books reviewed: Pierre Dominicé,Learning from Our Lives: Using Educational Biographies with Adults Peter Connolly (ed.), Approaches to the Study of Religion Willi Braun, and Russell T. McCutcheon (eds), Guide to the Study of Religion Russell T. McCutcheon, Critics Not Caretakers: Redescribing the Public Study of Religion Michael Palmer, The Question of God: An Introduction and Sourcebook Michael Joseph Brown, What They Don’t Tell You: A Survivor’s Guide to Biblical Studies Deborah DeZure (ed.), Learning from CHANGE: Landmarks in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education from CHANGE Magazine 1969–1999     

Reviews

Chris M. Anson, Lesley K. Cafarelli, Carol Rutz and Michelle R. Weis (eds) Dilemmas in Teaching: Cases for Collaborative Faculty Reflection Patricia Senn Breivik Student Learning in the Information Age Barbara E. Walvoord and Virginai Johnson Anderson Effective Grading: A Tool for Learning and Assessment William E. Campbell and Karl A. Smith (eds) New Paradigms for College Teaching Ann Intili Morey and Margie K. Kitano Multicultural Course Transformation in Higher Education Francis X. S. J. Clooney Hindu Wisdom for All God's Children Stephen R. Haynes Holocaust Education and the Church-Related College: Restoring Ruptured Traditions Warren A. Nord Religion and American Education: Rethinking a National Dilemma D. G. Hart and R. Albert Mohler, Jr (eds) Theological Education in the Evangelical Tradition Patrick W. Carey and Earl C. S. J. Muller (eds) Theological Education in the Catholic Tradition: Contemporary Challenges     

SHORT NOTICES

Solar Ethics, Don Cupitt Is There a God?, Richard Swinburne Birth of a Worldview: Early Christianity in Its Jewish and Pagan Context, Robert Doran Teaching and Learning Religion: A Phenomenological Approach, Terence Lovat Cross and Crescenk Responding to the Challenge of Islam, Colin Chapman Christian Values. Theory and Practice in Christian Ethics Today, J. Ian H. McDonald, T. & T. Clark Learning for Life: A Handbook of Adult Religious Education, Yvonne Craig A Sense of the Divine. The Natural Environment from a Theocentric Perspective, James M. Gustafson, T. & T. Clark A Dignified Dying, Hans Kung and Walter Jens Aquinas and the Jews, John Y. B. Hood On Earth as It is in Heaven: Temple Symbolism in the New Testament, Margaret Barker, T. & T. Clark Worship in the Primary School, Elaine McCreery, David Fulton Classic Texts in Mission and World Christianity, Norman E. Thomas (ed.) Kant's Idealism, Philip J. Neujahr Religion in Modem Britain, Steve Bruce Ordered Universes: Approaches to the Anthropology of Religion, Morton Klass