Since so many people suggested Rhodes on this forum, do we have someone familiar with the curriculum there? (I can post it in Rhodes forum if necessary.) It looks like Rhodes has mandatory 3 Bible classes with extensive Bible study in the foundation core due to Bellingrath Trust. Somehow nobody ever mentioned it anywhere before and I did not expect it… Is anybody here with experience with these classes? This is kind of what we tried to avoid. Also, I was warned that Furman is maybe not a good fit for Jewish kids. Does Furman also have some similar mandatory courses that I overlooked?
Hmmm… two years ago we were told the relationship with the Bellingrath Foundation had ended. We never heard anything about required Biblical classes in the core curriculum at Rhodes or at Furman. Rhodes talked about the Foundations (I believe that is the term used for their core), but nothing was mentioned about required Biblical studies.
I suggest posting in the Rhodes and Furman forums for the most current information.
Thanks. Maybe I accidentally end up on Rhodes’s older page. I hope that is the case…
Have your D call and ask…if this is a deal breaker for her, she ought to be invested in the answer!
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I don’t see a 3 religion course requirement at Rhodes:
All students must enroll in either “The Search for Values in the Light of Western History and Religion” or “Life: Then and Now” to satisfy the F1 requirement in the Foundations Curriculum. Many entering students have questions about the exact nature of these two options. The best description of the programs is in the Rhodes College Catalogue, and that section should be read carefully.
This page has the rest of the “foundation” requirements.
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This is how I found it…
https://www.reddit.com/r/rhodescollege/comments/h7f59n/lifesearch_program_and_rising_students/
Have your D go read Rhodes’ current catalog (that reddit post is 3 years old), which the link in my above post suggests…that will have the definitive information she needs to make the best decision for her.
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Looks like well-hidden religious classes. I have a feeling that it is like mentioned in Reddit most students do not know about it until they commit to Rhodes… The description in catalog is done in such a way that it is not stand out like religious ones but just like very very strange requirements instead of normal Humanities…
If I’m looking at the right course description, it reads more like a comparative religion class on Jewish, Christian and Islamic tenets. But I agree it is best for your D to contact Rhodes for clarification.
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If the Foundation requirements are unknown to a student who enrolls in Rhodes, that is on them and demonstrates a lack of college readiness.
This is not rocket science and should be straightforward for anyone admitted Rhodes to research, learn, and understand. IMO this page has the most clear explanation of the Foundation requirements, and the differences between the various choices the students have:
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I missed it (I bet I am college ready :)). It looks like all experts from this board missed it too, given that requirement at the very top of the forum was a school with no religious classes. Even some people who visited Rhodes missed it (my friend visited with her daughter and had no idea.) All 4 possible foundation paths in the catalog (including the cultural knowledge one) are the Bible-based/religion-based. Given all of the above, Rhodes intentionally does not advertise it (more like hides it.)
If your daughter is not comfortable with these required courses…then just move on. She has other acceptances.
My own not Catholic kid went to a Jesuit college. Three religion courses were required. My kid loved them…gave her some insight into the beliefs of others, and also some context about her own religion. And they were a welcome contrast to all the science and math courses she was required to take for her two majors.
I understand that this type of course work is a non-starter for some families. If that is the case with the Rhodes courses…just scratch that one, and start looking seriously at her other acceptances.
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I found this information with one google search…how is that hidden?
Regardless, if each and every one of these 4 possible paths of 3 classes are disagreeable to your D, then Rhodes is off the list. Seems simple.
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The 3 course Foundation section offered below shouldn’t be considered a religious course. Reading sections of the Bible and the Qur’an does not equate to being a religion class. Especially when being read in the historical and cultural context. That’s like saying a course with readings from Marx is a communist/socialist course. I mean, in the same course - there are readings from Sappho…I don’t think this is a Lesbian course either.
The Search for Values in the Light of Western History & Religion. Humanities 101-102-201
In the first year:
- Students read the major texts that make up the Judeo-Christian and Greco-Roman traditions in historical and cultural context. In addition to the Bible, readings include the Qur’an, as well as the works of poets such as Sappho, Homer, Virgil, Dante, and Christine de Pizan and philosophers such as Plato, Aristotle, Epicurus, and St. Augustine.
- Through careful reading of the texts, students encounter questions about the ideas, arguments, beliefs, and institutions that have shaped Western thought. and wrestle with questions about justice, ethics, cultural difference, and community.
- Seminars are taught by faculty members from across the college.
In the second year:
- Seminars follow a chronological set of readings from the Renaissance to the present, including major thinkers, writers, and artists responding to and challenging the western tradition, such as Machiavelli, Shakespeare, Mary Shelley, Marx, Freud, W.E.B. DuBois, and Simone DeBeauvoir.
- Individual instructors focus on specific themes. Past themes have included: “Slavery and Capitalism,” “Monsters and the Body Politic,” “The Classical Tradition,” “Environmental Humanities and Disaster,” “Utopias and Dystopias,” “Modernity and Freedom,” “Humans and the Natural World.”
- Seminars are taught by faculty members from across the disciplines, including English, Greek and Roman Studies, History, Modern Languages, Music, Political Science, Philosophy, and Religious Studies.
- The following departments accept HUM 201 towards their major: History, Greek and Roman Studies, Political Science.
The student who chooses the Search for Values in the Light of Western History and Religion will:
- take Humanities 101 (HUM 101) in the Fall semester of the first year,
- take Humanities 102 (HUM 102) in the Spring semester of the first year, and
- take Humanities 201 (HUM 201) usually in the Fall semester of the second year.
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This was your original ask.
The classes listed are not theology courses they are comparative religion, history, philosophy and literary in nature given the course descriptions. Additionally they hardly appear to focus on any specific religion, philosophy, culture or denomination such that a person of any faith would feel marginalized.
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We are Jewish and when my D was looking for a college, since she was getting a Judaic studies minor, (originally IA and then switched to PS major), we definately focused on schools with jewish population. Even without the minor, she would not have felt comfortable without some Jewish life. My S was different and Jewish life was not important (CS major).
I read the information above, and the classes themselves in some of the tracks do not cause pause for me in a diverse setting. But being the only Jewish person in these classes might for some.
At this point I would wait for the rest of her acceptances and then weigh everything out. There has been a lot of talk about doing the NOVA program as well, as well as whether her DE credits count towards her GPA. But you dont have the whole picture, and neither does she.
At this point you may be over researching things on her behalf. Maybe take a step back, and wait until all the results are in. See where her head is at. What is really important to her.
Just the other day, my D who went to her “dream school” at the time was visiting her 2nd choice to do an event there. She came home and said that she thinks she might have been happier there, and regrets not giving it more thought. I remember begging her at the time to attend accepted students day at this school, but once in at her number 1, she put her blinders on. Hopefully your D will have a open mind and think about what she wants. You have done so much research here, and can guide her , but ultimately its her choice and yes, she may later in life think she should have picked a different path, but it needs to be on her.
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As a Jewish parent, I would also say many a Jewish kid - like my son - even if not religious, they don’t want to be the only Jewish kid around…that’s not fun.
I never thought Rhodes or Furman were good choices. Yes, they have Jews…someone pointed out they have an endowment to expand Hillel at Furman. That could be great.
But by and large Jewish kids that are the only - it’s very difficult - whether religious or not.
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So the Jewish population appears to be larger at Rhodes than schools like UA as a percentage of population.
I would suggest your kid visit and or make their decisions independent of anyone that hasn’t actually set foot on the campus.
Certainly looks like Rhodes wants to welcome Jewish students…
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Not sure why Alabama was brought up - it is not a part of the discussion.
The school estimates 1000 there - but that’s neither here nor there - OP is not considering them.
When you are Jewish - it’s not about percentages. It’s about volume. When a school has to share a Hillel with another school, that’s generally not a positive sign for the “presences” of Jews in their everyday life. One has to be Jewiish to understand what it is like to be that Jewish kid who is always left out from the norms and traditions of others.
Furman was a religious school until not long ago and is known by folks where I live to be overwhelmingly conservative and a Christian vibe. I know others disagree - but that’s the feedback I get in Nashville.
If it’s not right for OP and it’s for them to decide, then they still have lots of choices.
Let’s stick to the schools in contention instead of adding schools that are not a part of the discussion.
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I am Jewish (not all Jewish people share your views) and have never been on Rhodes campus. Have you?
Based on my lack of first hand experience with Rhodes, I will keep my mouth shut and only offer information not opinions based on speculation.
FYI you brought UA into the discussion by referencing your son.
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