May 30, 2008

BCU Theology, Sociology Professors’ Article Published

SIOUX CITY, Iowa – Briar Cliff University professors Sister Michaela Galles, O.S.F., and Paul Olson, Ph.D., have had their article published in Innovative Higher Education. 

In their article, entitled “A New Method of Linking Courses: A Theologian and a Sociologist Share Their Experience,” Galles and Olson describe their strategy for presenting courses on Protestant Churches and Racial, Ethnic, and Gender Inequality in a linked format. During the linked sessions, students discerned the connections between sociology and theology and then synthesized their collective knowledge to address issues relevant to both disciplines.

“It was great to see students make the connections between content in both courses, which they originally thought would have little in common,” said Olson, assistant professor of sociology.

 “We’re always looking for new ways to make learning exciting and more meaningful for our students,” added Sister Michaela Galles, associate professor of theology. “The students had a good learning experience. The professors had a good learning and teaching experience. It was a win-win for everyone.”

Innovative Higher Education is a refereed scholarly journal with a distinguished and internationally known editorial review board. Among its editorial goals are to present descriptions and evaluations of innovations and provocative new ideas with relevance for action beyond the immediate context in higher education and to focus on the effect of such innovations on teaching and students.

Briar Cliff University is a Catholic institution with an enrollment of more than 1,100 students from 26 states and four countries.  Students are educated in the Franciscan tradition of excellence in the liberal arts and career preparation in an environment of care and compassion. For more information, please visit www.briarcliff.edu.