Back (and possibly better than ever?) - Questions to the Teacher

If you dig deeply into our archives, you'll find a very nice series of small interviews with our professors. (Or just go the tab on the right and choose 'students interviewing professors'.)

In some ancient era (okay, about two years ago), my predecessors convinced all professors that were in some way connected to the RRE program, to answer five short questions. In the mean time, several new people have become involved in RRE and I thought it would be good to catch up.

So - we're back! And today's answers come from our very coordinator (and general trouble shooter, oracle in case of stupid questions and Open lecture planner, for all of us her in Lund): Andreas Westergren. Thanks for your answers! Surprise of the day: Andreas doesn't want to be Spiderman.

1. Please state your name, age, university and connection to the RREprogram

Andreas Westergren, 39, Lund University, coordinator and teacher in Lund.

2. What is your area of expertise? And which courses do you teach in the RREprogram?

History of Early Christianity, especially Hagiography. Right now I am part of an exciting project investigating the connections between Early Monasticism and Classical Paideia (mopai.lu.se). I used to teach Holy men and women.

3. How do you think of this way of teaching, which is not regular university courses but neither distance learning?

Generally, I think that it has a lot of potential, both because there is much more writing (and arguing) involved than in "regular university courses", which I think is good, and because the students still know each other much better than in normal distance learning (and many university courses, for that matter). This combination of academic training and social networking is very important, I think.

4. What do you expect from your students?

That they make their full share of work - and engage.

5. If you could have any superhuman power, what would it be and why?

Climbing walls, like Spiderman, sounds too much like a stressed out academic… To have claws, like Wolverine, and an adamantium skeleton which makes you practically invulnerable, is perhaps better for someone trying to survive in the academy… Still, I think that the blind attorney Matt Murdock's (asa Daredevil) hyperactive senses - while fumbling in the dark - is to prefer. Sometimes it would be convenient with bilocation, to be in two places at the same time, as Padre Pio, but most of the time I am just happy if I can stay enough focused to be where I actually am. 

Is there a teacher, coordinator or someone else connected to the program who hasn't been interviewed yet? Let me know and I'll send of him/her the questions as well.

/PD