Category: From the Faculty

From the Faculty, ISSUE #28 | MAR 2020

Things Below: Thoughts on the World and Literature, Part Two of Two

Continued from last issue. O’Connor’s sense of the fantastic nature and Rev. Ames’ wonder at the lovely particularity of creation are, in my experience, unusual among Christians. In fact, it’s rare among people anywhere, no matter their religious perspective. This general inattentiveness to nature’s quiet glories draws the attention of Emerson, for instance, in his book Nature, where, regarding the stars, he writes, “Seen in … Continue reading Things Below: Thoughts on the World and Literature, Part Two of Two

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From the Faculty, ISSUE #27 | DEC 2019

Things Below: Thoughts on the World and Literature, Part One of Two

When on July 15, 1838, Ralph Waldo Emerson addressed the graduating class of Harvard Divinity School, he didn’t open his remarks as one would expect, by quoting a passage of scripture.  The young men to whom he spoke were, after all, seminarians who had spent their time at Harvard studying the Bible and preparing for a career in the ministry.  We’d assume that the speaker … Continue reading Things Below: Thoughts on the World and Literature, Part One of Two

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From the Faculty, ISSUE #23 | DEC 2018

Caroling with Scrooge

It’s the most wonderful time of the year. Come December (or November, or October—there’s no accounting for taste), when our townspeople begin to erect, not only trees and lights, but monstrous, inflatable snow globes; when entire radio stations change over to non-stop holiday music, oppressive with a surfeit of sleigh bells; when our august retail institutions flood the market with plastic consumer goods designed to … Continue reading Caroling with Scrooge

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From the Faculty

Splendor without Spectacle

  Some wry reflection in the current style on how the wonder of the eclipse seemed rather darkened by the contraceptive glasses that my eye doctor insisted must be worn to keep my sight, partially was obscured by clouds blowing in at the totality and contemplated by naked eyes, an unexpected splendor needing no interposition.     Benjamin Beier is an Assistant Professor of Education.   Continue reading Splendor without Spectacle

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From the Faculty

82.3% Eclipse of the Heart

There are two types of Trekkies: those who love Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and those who don’t. Similarly, in the physics community, there are two types of solar-eclipse viewers: those who go for totality, and losers. During the Great Eclipse of 2017, I was the only member of my physics department not to boldly go to far-flung destinations to experience totality. And I felt … Continue reading 82.3% Eclipse of the Heart

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