August 2011

Dear Parent or Guardian and Student,

I want to welcome you and your student to the 2011 school year and one of our newest course selections, The Role of the Bible in the Development of Western Civilization.  To better help you understand what your student will be doing this year, I would like to offer you the course description from this year’s Course Selection Guide.

‘This course explores the role of both the Bible and also religion in the life and society of eastern and western Europe and the Americas.  The course includes a study of the basic narrative arc of the entire Bible and its literary origins.  The course will also include study of significant documents, cultural movements, public discourse, and the influence the Bible has had on political leaders, public reformers, and informed citizens.  The course also shows how biblical narrative, characters, and interpretations have formed a frame of reference throughout history.  This course explores how the language and concepts of the Bible have provided content for philosophers, writers, painters, sculptors, composers and filmmakers.  Finally, this course demonstrates the continuing influence of the Bible on popular culture”

This course will be an academic study of the Bible and its impact especially as a work of literature.  While surely religion will be a topic of discussion, at no time will the course be devotional or sectarian in nature.  This is not a “Bible Study” in the traditional sense of the word.  Great care will be taken to discuss religion and religious issues with respect to all participants in the class and their varied backgrounds and points of view.  Our goal is not so much to show what the Bible means, which is a religious question, but instead our goal is show how the Bible’s influence permeates our modern culture.

Here are few items which might help you as you and your student begin the year:

·          There will be a number of guest speakers throughout the year and you will receive written notification ahead of time on who the speaker is and the topic they will be addressing. 

·          There are 2 texts which will be utilized by the class.  The textbook we will be using is The Bible and Its Influence from BLP Publishing.  For more information about this text and its accompanying curriculum as well as guides dealing with the Bible and public schools please visit the following website.

http://www.bibleliteracy.org/Site/index2.htm

·          The following website will also take you to 3 documents which address the reasons for the inclusion of the Bible in public education as well as a guide to First Amendment issues and case law associated with the Bible in public schools. http://www.bibleliteracy.org/Site/Resources/index.htm

·          The other text each student will need is a Bible of their choosing.  They may choose any translation, but if they do not have a Bible please let me know as soon as possible.

·          If you have any questions about the class please feel free to contact me at your convenience at 903-839-5551.  It is easiest, however, to reach me via email at keelingj@whitehouseisd.org.

·          Please take a look at my website http://teachersites.schoolworld.com/webpages/JKeeling/ which is linked at the Whitehouse High School Website under Teacher Sites.  I will place assignments, notes, calendars, and extra credit opportunities there for you and your student to use.

·          Please talk to your students about the class.  This class is all about making connections to Biblical references in the western culture in which we live.  The more you talk to your students about these connections the more meaningful the class experience will be.

·          Please have your student fill in the student information sheet and return the parent acknowledgement form so we can begin communicating today.

Respectfully,

John B. Keeling

Social Studies Chair

Whitehouse High School