I believe that teaching and learning consist of dynamic and complex interactions and encounters. Teaching introduces delightful and challenging relationships between students, teacher, the subject matter, and the world. I design courses with concern for the critical content of my discipline, structuring them with the expectation that each class brings its own unique set of factors and establishes its own community of learning.
Courses Taught
- REL/HIST 204 Religion in America
- REL 130 Encountering Religious Diversity
- REL 101 Old Testament (Hebrew Bible)
- REL 102 New Testament (Christian Scriptures)
- REL 207 Dimensions of Pilgrimage
- REL 231 Women and Religion
- REL 221 Christian Faith, Peace, and Justice
- REL 222 Internship in Ministry
- REL 272 Eve (and Adam), Cultural History, HONORS course
- REL 277 Studies in Religion, Great Couples of the Bible
Santiago De Compostela, Spain, May Term abroad, REL 204 Dimensions of Pilgrimage, May 2019
Student Evaluations
Selections of comments from evaluations of REL 101 Hebrew Bible, Fall 2023:
- "She is VERY passionate and her love for her subject flowed into many of her students. She read the Bible in a way I never had and made it fun. I thoroughly enjoyed all the assignments that she gave in her class, even the tests."
- "Incredibly captivating lectures, very understandable. Coursework is challenging yet useful."
- "This course encourages students to engage in critical thinking by consulting primary source material which sometimes contradict modern mainstream religious narratives. Unlike most of the lower-level history courses I've taken, this course forced me to recognize that these texts, viewed as holy by many, were written by actual human beings whose choices reflect the sociohistorical context of when they were written. I think that this course's material serves as an excellent introduction to the hermeneutic cycle for students who might not have previously learned how to read critically and properly cite their sources. Also, I always try to praise teachers who are enthusiastic about their subject matter since the energy that they bring to the classroom is critical for student engagement. This instructor is clearly passionate about their field of study and happy to discuss student questions and alternative interpretations of the course's subject matter."
- "The layout of the course is great. It provides not only historical context but moves through the text in a way that makes total sense. The assignments are all beneficial and line up with the course perfectly. Dr. Low is also a great professor."
- "Dr.Low is an amazing professor. She in engaging and excited with sharing her course material. This has been one of my favorite classes I have taken at my time at MBU and I attribute that to Dr.Low as the instructor."
Teaching Statement
The most energizing and fulfilling part of my position is engaging students in the classroom. Students pick up on the energy I bring to my classes. Students overwhelmingly use the words "passionate" and "engaging" to describe my style in teaching evaluations. The highest rated category from Fall 2011 to Spring 2014 (before the evaluation forms changed) was my ability as an instructor to demonstrate respect for all students. Remarks on evaluations reflect that I answer questions respectfully. This high mark comes from my awareness that an introductory course in religious studies can be challenging for undergraduates, particularly those who come from devotional communities in which critical, historical, or cultural questions are not regularly engaged. I strive to create a classroom environment that is communal in nature, in which questions are welcomed and discussion encouraged. The second highest rated category is my strong demonstration of a command of the subject matter. I pass along the importance of my discipline to students in my classes and I expect to update my skills regularly, therefore, being involved in the wider academy in my field remains important to me as a teacher-scholar.