West Virginia Metro News
Bible Courses Underway In Wood County Schools
Two
out of three Wood County high schools are teaching an elective
course on the Bible this semester. Both Williamstown and Parkersburg
high schools had enough students sign-up to offer one class at each
school. South Parkersburg also offered the class, but not enough
students signed up.
Wood County Assistant Superintendent Dr. Frieda Owen stresses the
class is not about teaching Christianity in the schools, but rather
the Bible's impact on two subjects.
"There are so many illusions to the Bible in literature and it has
effected the history of our own nation and the world,” Owen said.
Twenty-five students are enrolled in the class at Williamstown and
20 at Parkersburg High. The class is using the textbook 'The Bible
and Its Influences.'
Dr. Owen says the two educators teaching the classes take a look at
the Bible from an academic prospective. "The teacher at Parkersburg
High School is an English certified teacher and the teacher at
Williamstown High is social studies certified and the two teachers
are working together so that both of those focuses will be addressed
in the class,” she said.
Dr. Owen says she was a proponent of the class because it's such a
timely topic.
As for its impact, Owen says that's yet to be seen. They'll monitor
the class over the semester and if there's interest from students
for next semester they'll likely offer it again.
Two
out of three Wood County high schools are teaching an elective
course on the Bible this semester. Both Williamstown and Parkersburg
high schools had enough students sign-up to offer one class at each
school. South Parkersburg also offered the class, but not enough
students signed up.