The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1916-10-15
BIBLE AND DRAMA
NOW BEING TAUGHT
AT THE UNIVERSITY
Professor Arthur Bonner
and Prof. E. III. Strobe
Are Conducting Work
BY TOM GARNER

University, October 14-(Special For
several years past the University of Ala
bama has been offering students an in
creasing variety of courses. The oppor-
tunities for broad and comprehensive
educations along the lines of individual
preference or fitness were never so in.
viting as now and the men and women
from the Tennessee line to the gulf are
showing an appreciation of this greater
provision for their welfare.
In no department has this application
of courses been more alluring than in the
English work. The English courses al
the university have always been noted
for their thoroughness and their broad
covering of the field and this year has
marked still further advance
One of the new members of the faculty
for this session is Prof Arthur Bonner,
who, in addition to other classes and lee
lures, is offering a course in the Bible as
literature. This is In line with the policy
of the foremost institutions of the coun-
try which are making the study of the
Bible an important part of the currricu-
lum offered. This course, elective
one, is proving quite popular and has
justified the wisdom which inaugurated
the movement
While differing s-.g.--- from similar
courses given in other universities it re-
3embles them in its main features. Dur
ing the first part of the course and while
the student is. securing an Introductory
knowledge of the simpler aspects of bibli-
cal literature, a historical background is
laid by brief survey of the ancient man
uscripts and versions the canon and the
various English translations. The secta-
rian and controversial attitude is avoided
The moral and spiritual messages are
not ignored but the object of the course
is primarily to discover and appreciate
the unrivaled beauty of the literary set
ting of these truths in tl1S worlds great
est library. In addition to the Bible itself
the principal text book used is the lit
erary study of the Bible, by Prof Richard
G. Moulton, Phi. D. Supplementary work
is given in class lectures.
Professor Bonner, who presents the
course, is we'll equipped for the work. He
not only bears the A. NJ. and Phi. D. de-
grees from Boston university, but is also
a graduate of the theological department
with degree of S. T. B. from the same
institution. AS a regularly ordained cler-
gyman his ministerial connection from
this time will be held with the north
Alabama conference of the Methodist
Episcopal church, south.
Courses in the drama are given by
Prof e. III. Strobe, director of public
speaking One of these courses, classed
in the public speaking department, is de-
voted to dramatic Interpretation and adj
vanced reading and is designed for those
who intend to give public readings or do
stage work or for those who, as teachers
in high schools, may be called upon TO
coach amateur plays, Selections are
read from the poets like Browning, Ten
nyson, Arnold, Keats, Poe, Wordsworth
and Shakespeare scenes being studied
from Hamlet" Julius Caesar" Twelfth
Night and the Merchant of Venice,
also the ''Sehool for Scandal" by Sheri-
dan, and the latter's THE Rivals" Mod
ern plays will also be taken up, includ-
ing works of Shaw, Barrie, Pinero Oscar
Wilde, PercivaI Wilde, Fitch, Galswor-
thy. Lady Gregory, Houghton and De
Mile.
A new course, designated as English