There's a new literature and history course being offered in Augusta area high schools this year where the textbook is the best-selling book of all time.

“Make sure you go ahead and have your text out that you had to highlight and make questions from,” English teacher Marcus Allen said.

It's a new school year and a brand new class for Allen: The Literature and History of the Old Testament.

The elective course filled up quickly at Evans High School.

“On Open House night, I advised the parents who came in, it's not a bible study, it's a study of the bible,” Allen said.

In January, state lawmakers approved funding for the literature course in Georgia classrooms, but instructors must carefully follow the curriculum to make sure it doesn't turn into a religion course.

Rose Carraway is the director of student learning for Evans High.

“It's purely a study of the Bible from the literary and historic perspective, but the focus is on studying literary devices, writing conventions the history as it presented in this piece of literature,” Carraway said.

As a textbook, the school provides “The Hendrickson Parallel Bible” which contains four different translations, King James Version, New King James Version, New International Version and New Living Translation.

Students are also welcome to use their own Bibles.

Students also discuss other works related to biblical text, like Adam's Diary by Mark Twain.

“What impact does the use of first person have on the story,” Allen asked the class.

“This could possibly be what Adam was like it gives Adam perspective,” one student said.

“He makes it like Adam maybe did have a great sense of humor,” another student added.

Students say they're enjoying the roundtable format of the class that teaches, but never preaches.

“It's not like politics. It's not an argument about this or that. It's more of a questioning with respect and you learn from it,” Nick Morris, a senior, said.

“No matter what you believe, the Bible is a very rich text with lots of imagery, lots of different perspectives, different narratives; it's an impressive work,” Carraway said about its literary value.

Allen says he’s grading the students based on their discussions, quizzes and papers related to the reading assignments.

Students are also taking the Bible literature and history course in two Richmond County high schools this year.

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