Rome is a bastion of religious sites. It’s a boon for teaching World Religions. We actually get to physically see the historic sites that reflect the formation, growth, and change of major Western religions, such as Christianity, Judaism, and even Islam. The images also show the global nature of our world — then and now — via the influences of cultures upon one another. A Humanities/Religions professor could ask for no better place for students to explore.
For the parents reading this blog, your children are phenomenal. They are doing a great job with reflection, review, reading and writing.
Alas, it is the last day of the trip. We went to the oldest park in Italy to play and then to the Capuccino monks to see some lovely bone art. Shopping and our last big excursion (Roman hills) tonight. Parents reading this blog, as an instructor I have to say that this trip was an EXCELLENT one. The price is far less for doing so much more (I’d done Rome before and let me tell you, I certainly paid more). I truly hope that the students have a chance to realize exactly what they got to do…it was fantabulous!
Today we stopped by the building that once housed Francis of Assisi, from whom the current Pope has taken his name. This man was rather revolutionary, from working the mystic angle of religion (preaching to nature, animals, and in the nude) to working on humanizing Christianity. No longer would saints be limited to people set aside from society who gave up their lives to pray. By bringing out the humanity of Jesus via images of his birth and death (how very human!) he equated that the average person could also be like Jesus and find sanctity through every day life. He gave up his wealth to create a begging order which was so controversial for the time that he almost did not get it established. It’s always the most eccentric individuals who make the best history.
This afternoon we visited the consulate to the Holy See. Awesome stuff. Interesting to see how Pope Francis is working so hard with the embassy on several things, including ending human trafficking. Remember that Florida (Clearwater) has one of the worst records for human trafficking in America, so that hits close to home. Afterward, we had our photo shoot.
Class was held in St. Peter’s at the Vatican. We merged with crowds of thousands from all over the world. We watched the Pope bless children and the sick, then drive past the crowds. We actually were within 10 or so feet of him at one point and I think that most of us got good photos of him! We listened to his teaching on Christian unity. We watched cardinals and high ranking members of his cabinet talk to various nations represented (German, South America, North America, Africa, Arabic-speaking countries….so many more). It was fantastic. It is the one day that I can say the Pope was my guest speaker.
I challenge any other religion professor to top that!
Coliseum. The strangest thing that we learned is that most Christians were not martyred there. However, people WERE killed there. During the lunch break the intermission show was usually of a myth. If someone died in the myth, then someone died in the re-enactment of the myth. So, a slave was usually picked to play the doomed soul.
We also went through the Roman Forum to see quite a few marvels. We walked on the same road as Caesar and Cleopatra, stood on Julius Caesar’s rostrum (where he made speeches) and discussed Constantine at the emperor’s arch.
It was a long flight of 3 hours to New York, 8 1/2 hours to Rome. I don’t think many of us slept on the plane, but we got caught up on movie watching!
Once we arrived and checked into the hotel, we had our first authentic Italian lunch. Next, we went to the Vatican — which is 100 feet from here. Yes, we walk DAILY to the Vatican.
This is the coolest class experience to have and to offer! We learned about the old and new buildings in Rome (old is over 1000 years and new is under 500 years). Since the Vatican was Renaissance it is considered new!
We did the dome tour to the very top of the Vatican. The students and I kept up quite the march. I don’t think that I have seen so many varieties of steps — at least 6 or more — and various stairways for quite some time.
We climbed THROUGH the double dome structure that makes the piece and saw the city from the top — a view worth noting and sharing. It was excellent!
Class today covered introductory terms and some information on Primal/Tribal traditions.
This afternoon we are going to the Roman ruins. I need to buy flowers for Caesar. Love that man.
Wow, well I can’t believe we are at the two week mark for this trip (actually, we’re just under that now…yikes!) I have pretty well completed all of the purchases needed for this trip — wardrobe, adapter plugs, and travel items. Getting ready to teach the pre-trip information next week — looking forward to getting to know my travel companions. First we’ll explore the differences in general philosophies of Eastern and Western ideologies, then utilize some discussion on Confucianism, Taoism, and Islam to see how these philosophies manifest. Should be fun.
Hope all of you are ready for a great learning experience. Rest now — Italy sounds like it will be packed with things to do and learn!
To learn more about what the Italy High School program students will do and see, visit the program website: http://www.spcollege.edu/italy_hs/
I’m Dr. Brandy Stark, faculty for SPC since 2000. My main campus is Downtown where I teach both Humanities and Religious Studies. I love learning and am continuing to study for a second post-PhD graduate degree in Liberal Studies. No matter how much one has learned there is always something new in the world to study.
One of my favorite courses is REL 2300 (World Religions). It was the first class I taught for the college 14 years ago and is a mainstay of my teaching roster. The ability to study the people and culture is phenomenal, and even though this is a survey course of the major world religion we can learn so much about each other. It is truly a fantastic course to teach.
One of my other degrees is in Classics,which is the study of Greek and Roman culture. It is a love that is near and dear to me. I’m a fan of the Roman Empire and have traveled through Italy a few times before to poke through the ruins, religious centers, and even a bit of the fashion. Italy has such a rich history overlaid upon it through the centuries that I am ecstatic to go back again this summer.
However, this does leave my family caring for my pugs and small pocket pets. Students must remind me to buy wonderful gifts to bring home — my pets are a handful. I do plan to create a journal around Homer the Surrogate Pug, a plush doll that has traveled with me around the world. He photographs well and it’s a fun way to convey information to friends and family at home.
Rome is a bastion of religious sites. It’s a boon for teaching World Religions. We actually get to physically see the historic sites that reflect the formation, growth, and change of major Western religions, such as Christianity, Judaism, and even Islam. The images also show the global nature of our world — then and now — via the influences of cultures upon one another. A Humanities/Religions professor could ask for no better place for students to explore.
