Mohammed AL-Abdulla

4/1/2013

                                                            Carol K. Coburn

 

            Today at Avila University, I did an interview with Carol K. Coburn, Professor of Religious Studies and Women Studies. It was very interesting. First I asked her about her background. She said that she had a Ph. D. in Educational history, and she had been teaching at Avila University for twenty-four years. She also teaches American religious history, and teaches disciplinary courses and courses in women and gender studies. She spends a lot of time with the American religious history. She spoke about how multiple diverse religions affect the US culture and society, and how American culture society has influence on religions, because most of the religions that comes to this continent, for example native American were here first, and they have their own spiritual beliefs. But then we had a large number of Europeans. First Protestant Europeans, then Catholic Europeans, then Jewish Europeans and then west African religious traditions when people were kidnapped into slavery and brought to this country. And then after slavery, African-Americans adapted their own religious styles and traditions as well. In her class, she spends time talking about the groups and the ways which they have influenced everything from our government, to our society, to our economics. And how the American society changed their influence to certain religious groups.

            Second I asked what kind of homework she lets her students focus on. She said she tries to mix it up with in-class exams, out of class writing assignments, in-class group activities and take home questions which she calls “thought questions”. So she likes to use a variety of homework and activities.

            Thirdly I asked about her future plans. She said that right now she wants to continue teaching at Avila University, and to continue teaching some of theses courses.. She also teaches ISS classes, peace studies, and women, religion and community in the United States, as well as teaching Women and Science. She previously taught a course called ‘The Three R’s’, which is race, religion, and reform in the American education. So her plan is to continue teaching these courses, and to also work with archival materials in the library to learn more about and save the history of the university, particularly the history related to the Sisters of St. Joseph, who founded the college almost a hundred years ago.

            I then asked her about her future plan for her family. She said that right now she has a nephew who is two years old, and her mother is still living and is ninety years old. She said that her husband had passed away, so she has a very small family. She said that she invites her niece and sister and sees them whenever she can. They get together on holidays, mail each other, and talk on the phone.