As part of the coursework for HIST 352—Reformations: Early Modern Europe in the Department of History and Political Science this past spring, Olivet Nazarene University students wrote and produced a 10-episode podcast titled Hear the Voice and Prayer: Christianity and Belief in Early Modern Europe.
Hosted by the professor of the course, Dr. Kyle Robinson, each episode features a discussion of original research from one of the nine students who were enrolled in the class. With Dr. Robinson, students discussed different aspects of Christian religious change between the lives of Martin Luther and John Wesley — engaging contemporary audiences with historical content. The introductory episode features Dr. Mark Quanstrom, professor in the School of Theology and Christian Ministry and senior pastor at College Church of the Nazarene – University Avenue.
The Department of History and Political Science had not previously produced a podcast, but Dr. Robinson thought it would be the perfect way to make scholarship accessible in today’s technologically advanced society.
“The Digital Humanities uses the communication revolutions of the 21st century to help historians make their work and methodologies more accessible and facilitate new approaches and visualizations to historical questions,” he said. “A podcast is a small way for our students to think about the way that their academic research can translate to a permanently accessible piece of public scholarship.”
Producing the podcast added an element of interdisciplinary education through a partnership with the University radio station, Shine.FM and communications student Shemara Fontes ’21.
Reflecting on the success of his students’ engagement in the semester-long project, Dr. Robinson said, “Hardly anyone ever re-reads a traditional final paper after the semester ends, but, a podcast is something that will be available as long as the internet exists and has your own voice on it, making students a little more invested in the outcome. It also lets our history students already develop a profile as public scholars, and that is amazing!”
The 10 episodes premiered throughout the spring 2021 semester and are still available via Spotify, Apple Podcasts, other streaming services and hearthevoiceandprayer.com.
For more information about the Department of History and Political Science, and the 140+ other areas of study offered at Olivet, contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@olivet.edu or 800-648-1463.
Published 8/5/2021
LB
