A Valentine Miscellany
Otherwise known as my life lately as a medieval history professor & public scholar
I’m teaching an upper level medieval history course for the first time since I became an associate dean in the Baylor Graduate School (so 2017 or 2018). As I have now returned to the History Department, I have begun teaching my regular rotation of graduate seminars, medieval history courses, and women’s history courses.
I love it so much.
Last week I joined my Religion colleague David Whitford in taking our classes to the Baylor Library for a “scriptorium” (as I called it on my syllabus). On the first day, our students experienced a range of medieval manuscript facsimiles/fine art copies, one fifteenth-century choral manuscript, and even learned how to write like a medieval cleric. On the second day, they experienced a range of biblical manuscripts (facsimiles & original texts) from the Codex Vaticanus, to the Gutenburg Bible,the Breeches Bible, and even to Luther’s Bible. They also learned how to work a printing press. I think I had as much fun as the students.
We had to return to lecture today in our regular classroom, but as my students learned about Lady Godiva and heroic nuns, I don’t think they minded. My only regret is that I forgot to tell them about the first Valentine’s letter! I made a short video for the history department instead (part of our 90 second history series), and I will post it tomorrow on instagram. I think you will find it interesting!
I’m really glad my class is going so well because last week was jarring for me. I did not expect John Fea’s piece in The Atlantic which targeted me and
, calling our books (The Making of Biblical Womanhood and Jesus and John Wayne) “woefully flat”. If you missed it, I recommend you catch up with Kristin’s response or the response by Sarah Jones in the New York Magazine. As for me, I’m ready to move on as I have a book to finish.On a final note, I had the privilege of joining Lynn Cohick and Kelly Dippolito on the Alabaster Jar podcast. We talked medieval Christianity, women, and pastoral care—which was a lot of fun.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Your students are fortunate to have you. And to see what it looks like to just move forward with personal and academic integrity when yet another influential white male goes looking for scapegoats when it’s no longer convenient to speak truth to power when the wind starts blowing in the other direction. The defenders of patriarchy just can’t seem to move beyond wanting to control their own narrative and play the victim when necessary to try to have it both ways. It’s can’t stay this way when leaders like you, Dr. DuMez and Dr. Tisby continue to show such strength, courage and integrity in the face of these cheap shots. Keep up the good work!