CURRENT LIST OF ONLINE COURSES AND DESCRIPTIONS  

Courses offered Fall 2011- Summer 2014  

  (last updated January 20, 2012)   

NOTE:   Consult the official Fuller Seminary Course Schedule , by selecting "Fuller Online" from the last drop down, to see which online courses are being offered in a particular quarter, and their respective ECD's.  Be sure you are ordering books from the ECD that corresponds to the quarter in which you plan to register for the course.   

MISSIOLOGY (SIS)      

MB 501: Insights for Cultural Understanding.  This course addresses cultural self-awareness and cross-cultural competence for building healthy relationships within diverse communities. Drawing upon anthropological, sociological, biblical, and theological perspectives, students gain basic principles and skills for researching and interacting among diverse cultural and social groups.      

MC 500: Church in Mission. Provides a biblical and theological framework for understanding the Church and the practical implications of its role in world mission.  

MD 500: Globalization, the Poor, and Christian Mission. This course examines the globalization phenomenon as a deeply rooted historical change process that has significant impact on the contemporary church and the poor. The course consists of two parts. The first part of the course examines the political, economic, and cultural dimensions of globalization with a view toward unraveling myth from reality and applying biblical lenses to this assessment. Supporters and skeptics are examined, as are the major global players who have the power to shape the nature of globalization. The second part of the course will briefly examine the impact of globalization on the church and global mission, but primarily focus on the impact of globalization on the poor and a critical examination of global proposals for eradicating poverty.  

MD 525: Transformational Development. This course explores the challenges of empowering the poor in a world marked by marginalization, disempowerment, abuse, and injustice. Topics to be covered include worldview issues that influence our understanding of social development; a biblical framework for transformational development; understanding poverty biblically; overview of contemporary development theory; Catholic social thinking of development; rights-based development and livelihood/food security; the development practitioner; and Christian witness through transformational development.           

*MD 535: Ethical Issues in Cross-Cultural Ministry. The purpose of the course is to explore the ethical nature of Cross-Cultural Ministries. Its thesis is that all cross-cultural ministries have ethical implications; these ministries change, modify or shift the religious beliefs, worldview assumptions, myths and values of a culture. Christians who are engaging in cross cultural ministries, then, must define and implement an ethical framework for their work, empowering them to make ethical decisions as they influence cultural change. This course is relevant for anyone who engages in domestic or foreign cross-cultural ministries. 

  

MD554: Ministering with Children Affected by HIV/AIDS. Considers the multiple ways HIV & AIDS affects children, assesses strategic short-term and long-term response strategies and looks at emerging issues involving treatment and prevention of the disease as well as care and assistance for those affected.   Special attention is given to the past and present role of the church in addressing these needs and issues.  Students will propose and defend a plan for moving forward.  

  

MD 555: Research with Children.This course focuses on how we can learn from and with children in order to inform ministry practices and contribute to the understanding of issues related to mission with children at risk. It explores some of the intercultural, ethical, legal, methodological, and practical issues related to doing theoretical and applied research with children.  There is an emphasis on how to conceptualize, design, implement and follow up effective research with children, including themes of child participation, monitoring and evaluation.    

  

MD 556: Spectrum of Care for Orphans and Vulnerable Children. The causes of and responses to orphans and vulnerable children in the world are complex and controversial.  This course critically examines traditional and contemporary approaches to orphan care, and proposes spectrum of care models for orphan care. Topics addressed include orphan prevention, delay, short- and long-term care, adoption, theological foundations, and the role of Christian organizations and churches. 

  

ME 506: Communicating the Gospel Crossculturally. Principles and processes of communicating from one culture to another. Focus on the relevance of incarnation as the model for intercultural communication of the gospel.   

ME 525: Worship and World Religions. This course examines and analyzes the religious worship practices and music expressions of five major world religions: Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism and Christianity. Their respective belief systems and worldviews are also discussed. In addition, issues pertaining to hybridity with local and folk religious practices and musical expressions, as well as implications for appropriate contextualization of Christian worship in multireligious contexts are addressed. 

ML 523: Mentoring. This course is an in-depth study of the informal training model called mentoring. It is a flexible model that can be used in organizations and churches or with individuals. Mentoring is a relational experience in which one person (called the mentor) empowers another person (called the mentoree) by a sharing of God-given resources (of many kinds). This course is a must for anyone who wants to be trained in an on-the-job situation and for anyone who anticipates training others in a personal way.  

ML 524: Focused Lives. This course comparatively studies a number of Christian leaders. These leaders, both men and women, were effective leaders who led focused lives. Out of these studies has emerged the concept of a focused life comprised of 4 components: (1) life purpose; (2) major role; (3) effective methodologies; (4) ultimate contribution set. Students will study a number of historical case studies and Biblical case studies, which illustrate focused lives concepts. Each student will then produce a case study of his/her own life from a focused life standpoint. As part of their personal case study, students will learn how to construct their own Personal Life Mandate - a major decision making tool for ministry and life. Students will find that they will be using these concepts in their ministries the rest of their lives. 

ML 530: Lifelong Leadership Development. Gives a biblical basis for the study of leadership selection processes. Identifies patterns such as time lines, development phases, process items, idealized time line, convergence, gift mix, spheres of influence, spiritual authority, and leadership principles, all in the context of study of actual biblical, historical and present-day leaders.  

ML 536: Value-Based Leadership in the New Testament. Examines New Testament perspectives on leadership elements and styles, philosophical models, mentoring, change dynamics, etc. Studies Peter, John, and Paul as leaders.   

ML 549: Partnership Development.  This course deals with the subject of developing collaborative, inter-organizational approaches to Christian ministry.  It focuses on building a necessary background in the various factors directly affecting collaboration, as well as identifying and developing the collaborative capacity of the student’s own organization.  This class is case study based wherein the primary case study is the student’s own context of collaboration.       

ML 584: Cross-cultural Dynamics of Global Leadership. Today's Christian leaders are increasingly called upon to understand and to negotiate with sensitivity the complexities of ministering in a diverse global context and within multicultural teams and organizations. Our ability to successfully navigate cross-cultural partnerships in ministry has become an essential part of the job description for the well-prepared leader. This course will offer (1) a deeper understanding of how our cultural frameworks impact organizational dynamics, leadership development, decision making, and conflict management; (2) an opportunity to diagnose and explore possibilities for improving the "climate" for cultural diversity in our own organizational contexts; and (3) practical suggestions about how Christian leaders might learn to leverage diversity to achieve positive change within their ministry contexts so that the Gospel of the Kingdom can spread more effectively from all peoples to all peoples.     

  

MN 520: Encountering the City. We live in a rapidly urbanizing world. We need to move toward understanding our increasingly urban world, as well as understanding our own responses and fears as we encounter this world. This course explores these dynamics, as well as various themes related to urban mission: what can we learn from the history of the church's relationship to the city, the importance of narrative in urban evangelism, moving beyond charity in our relationship with the poor; gentrification with justice; leadership in the city; approaches to community transformation (including use of the arts); and the relationship between globalization and urbanization. 

   

MN 534: Complex Urban Environments. The rapid pace of urbanization in our world today makes cities the primary focus of mission for the twenty-first century. This course examines how macro forces such as urbanization, migration, and globalization, as well as the dynamics of race, ethnicity, class, and gender, shape and are shaped by urban space. Utilizing this understanding, appropriate ministry responses to effectively engage these dynamics will be explored. 

  

MR 550: Introduction to Islam. An overview of Muslim faith and practice, with special attention to comparisons with Christianity, varieties of expression, and their implication for Christian witness  

MR 552: History of the Muslim-Christian Encounter. This course examines Muslim-Christian relations since the inception of Islam to the present days, with examples from around the world. Particular historical, ecclesiological and theological issues will be addressed and guidelines for practical encounters will be formulated.    

*MR554: Models of Witness in Muslim Context. This course will focus on various models of witness in Muslim contexts that are culturally relevant and bearing fruit. Special emphasis will be given to case studies and recent literature/research. Issues discussed in class include cultural adaptation of cross-cultural workers, Muslim worldview, relationship building, women’s issues, contextualization, power ministries, insider movements, intercessory prayer, culturally relevant Bible translations, and the planting of new congregations. As a part of the course, students will be expected to have interaction with Muslims in the community. 

MR 556: Current Trends in Islam. Examines the basic beliefs and practices that inspire and guide Islamic revival today. Issues to be addressed include the impact of colonialism, Western ideas, independence and petrodollars, the response to these stimuli, and their implications for Christian witness.  

MR 557: Women and the Family in Islam. An examination of the identity and role of women in historic and contemporary Islam as revealed by the Qur'an and Hadith and throughout society, covering various cultural contexts.  

  

MR 574:  Muslim Peoples: A Sociological Approach. This is a foundational course introducing students to sociological and anthropological studies of Islam. They will explore factors other than religion and common historical reference which influence and shape Muslim societies. They will look at the social organization within Muslim societies and the impact of culture on Muslim peoples. They will address issues such as “Is there a Muslim Society?” or “Is the veil defining Muslim women?” After exploring the ways early Islam interpreted cultural and social structures, students will analyze various factors that help us understand Muslim peoples in the present day, such as modernity, secularism, globalization, economic trends, local customs, and social practices. As they study the work of anthropologists and sociologists, students will become familiar with new methodologies for observing Muslim peoples. They will also discover the diversity of Islamic societies and the transformation they undergo. This class addresses as well the advantages and disadvantages of integrating these approaches to Christian mission and how they influence Christians’ respectful witness to Muslims. 

  

MT 500: Biblical Theology of Mission. During the past fifty years, Christian thinkers have examined and evaluated the theological presuppositions that underlie the thought and practice of Christian mission. In this course students will have an opportunity to learn from past mission thinkers and practitioners; hear from one another; and reflect personally on what God’s mission means for the mission of Christians and Christian churches in the rapidly changing, complex global city/village of the twenty-first century. Students will be introduced to a multi-disciplinary and inter-disciplinary approach to missiological reflection whereby the various components of Missiology (Word, church, personal spiritual pilgrimage, and world/context) are brought together in an integrated understanding of mission. 

MT 501:  Introduction to Theology in a Global Context.  This course provides a basic introduction to theological reflection as this has developed in various places and is currently emerging in multiple contexts. The goal is to provide the background and terminology necessary for students to begin exploring theology as an expanding conversation about the meaning of Scripture and the Christian life that extends itself through history and around the world.   

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THEOLOGY (SOT)    

*CF504: Formational Bible Study. Why is it so few laypeople study the Bible on their own? Why does the “professional” in the ministry seem to find it difficult to apply the Scriptures to his/her ministry and life? What causes some people to become enthusiasts of the Word seeing new truth? What does it take to teach others how to see the Scriptures as practical and a tool for bringing understanding? This course is to equip you to do more effective Bible study on your own, and to teach you how to teach someone else to study the Scriptures from the English text. It is built around an inductive study of the NASV English text of the Gospel of Mark. The course stresses direct observations of the text, seeking to determine significant facts which combine to give probable meaning and then application of those facts in a practical way to the student’s personal life. The experience gained in this study is preparation for leading others into Scripture in the same way. This is a course designed to teach you to become adept at studying the Word of God for realizing and responding to truth in everyday life. 

  

CF505: Teaching the Bible. The Bible is meant to communicate! So how do we join God in provoking conversations between twenty-first-century persons and this God who sends his interpersonal messages via multiple first-century and earlier authors who tell stories, write letters, record trips, admonish and encourage? How do we communicate the faithfulness of this timeless message to today’s youth and adults in such a way that they relate to this Communicator par excellence and want His story to be their story? The course is intended for all who value this message, want to understand it more fully, inhabit it more completely, communicate it more effectively, and enable others to know God more holistically. It includes a focus on interpreting what God is communicating, recognizing how persons hear and learn, and becoming aware of ways we become part of the teaching process in a learning situation. 

CF 560: Adult Formation and Discipleship. A biblical focus on ministering to adults, with a survey of adult psychological and developmental theories, goals in adult formation, developing adult learning designs, and discipleship models of adult enablement. Recommended background: CF500   

CH 500: Early Church History. A survey of the early church from the post-apostolic fathers through the Council of Chalcedon.  

CH502: Medieval and Reformation History. An introduction to the most important themes and people in church history and historical theology from A.D. 500 to 1600. 

CH 504: Modern Church History. The shaping of modern movements and churches from the Reformation to the Ecumenical Movement and Second Vatican Council.  

CH 506: American Church History. American Church History is a vibrant yet complex look at the personages, organizations, and movements that comprise the religious milieu of American history. Throughout the course, attention will be paid to denominational formation, theological innovations, religious movements, and social and political issues that arise out of the historic tensions in America’s religious history. The role of slavery, immigration, politics, and social movements arising out of the experience of Christianity in America will be addressed, as well as alternate religious traditions’ interactions with Christianity. Special attention will be given to persistent themes like individualism, the search for community, religion and reform, and religious conservatives. 

  

CH 551: American Presbyterian History and Programs. In studying the history of the Presbyterian Church attention will be given to important persons, ideas, and movements. The course will trace the roots of Presbyterianism from Europe to the American colonies and its spread throughout the States. A major focus will be the development of distinctive themes in American Presbyterianism. Main themes in Presbyterian history will also be related to current developments and programs in the denomination. 

  

CN 535: Grief, Loss, Death and Dying. End of life issues including human suffering, death and dying, the place of God in suffering and death. A major emphasis will be the dynamics of grief and loss and the challenges of pastoral ministry in these critical situations. The personal growth needed for effective pastoral presence and counseling will be a prime focus. 

CN 553: Pastoral Care and Abuse. This class seeks to provide a comprehensive introduction to abuse—sexual, emotional, physical, and spiritual. Several approaches to understanding abuse from a theological perspective will be explored. The class will also explore practical tools and skills needed for helpful pastoral responses to those who have been abused. 

CN568: Theological and Pastoral Perspectives on the Contemporary Family. This course examines perceptions of the family within the Christian tradition, and their relationship to wider cultural concerns in a variety of historical and contemporary settings.  

     

DP 502: United Methodist Doctrine. The course is an overview of the United Methodist doctrinal heritage. It will trace the development of doctrine from Wesley to the present and indicate the usefulness of the doctrinal heritage today. It will acquaint the student with the major doctrines of United Methodism. 

  

DP 512: United Methodist Polity. This course is designed to familiarize the student with the polity of the United Methodist Church with reference to its history, doctrine, and worship. Subject matter will include: organization of the church at the local, district, annual conference, jurisdictional and general conference levels; sources of authority within those structures; how the church finds expression through its structures; privileges and responsibilities of the connectional system; ordination and the various forms of ministry; recent trends in legislation; how leaders are selected; how decisions are made at all levels of church life; unique theological contribution; relationship to other communions. In addition, four worship services are analyzed and prepared. 

  

ET 501: Christian Ethics. This basic introduction to ethics aims to develop a systematic way of thinking about Christian morality, bringing biblically based convictions to bear on important moral problems.     

  

ET 520: Biblical and Practical Peacemaking.  The way of Jesus in the New Testament centrally includes the way of peacemaking. We will seek to deepen our understanding of that way and our ability to teach it and model it. We will compare major present-day ethical positions—nonviolence, just war, and just peacemaking—as they relate to overcoming terrorism, preventing nuclear war, peace in the Middle East, and practical peacemaking in churches. We will include role-playing conflict resolution for conflicts within churches. And we will study how to begin inward/outward journey small groups in churches with a mission of following Jesus in peacemaking. 

  

ET 522: Christian Ethical Traditions: African-American, Evangelical, and Emergent. Do you know your ethical tradition? How have various Christian traditions understood what it means to practice the faith in the face of political and moral challenges and responsibilities? This course will examine parts of the Christian ethical landscape, with a particular focus on African-American traditions, some of the denominations that reside under the “evangelical” umbrella (e.g., Anabaptist, Lutheran, Presbyterian, Pentecostal), and seek to discover the ethical framework associated with emergent church conversation. This course presents students with the opportunity to identify their ethical tradition and a generous understanding of other perspectives.   

  

ET 533: Christian Discipleship in a Secular Society. A study of urgent ethical issues in the church's ministry to persons caught in the cross-pressures of secular society with concentration on Bonhoeffer's Cost of Discipleship, family ethics, the economic debate and welfare reform, racism, nationalism, Christian community and an authentically transformationist understanding of the church's mission in the world.  

EV 500: The Art of Evangelism. A foundational course which explores evangelism from a biblical, theological, historical, and practical vantage point as it seeks to equip students for creative and effective outreach in a variety of settings.   

EV 514: Urban Evangelism. Concentrates on the city as the locus for ministry at the close of the century. Emphasis will be placed on the peculiar ethos of the city, the church's approach to the urban milieu, and models of current ministry in urban settings. Includes field trips and exposure to persons from urban ministries.   

EV 525: Contemporary Culture and Evangelism. By blending together communication theory and cultural analysis, the process of evangelism is considered from the point of view of the one being evangelized. Reaching baby boomers and Generation X will be a special focus   

EV 532: Recovery Ministry in the Local Church. This course will examine the theological foundations of recovery ministry as well as the personal dynamics of recovery and practical considerations for developing recovery ministries in the local church.      

  

NE 502: Exegetical Method and Practice. Basic principles and practice of exegesis in the Greek New Testament, with attention to methodological and bibliographical resources.  

  

NE 506: New Testament Exegesis (Greek text). Advanced exegetical study of the Greek text of a New Testament book or books or portions of a New Testament book. Prerequisites: LG512 and NE502. NS500 or NS501 may be required for some classes.    

  

NE 561: Luke and the American Road Movie. This course will pursue a dialogue between the biblical journey motif in Luke and the American road movie, engaging such shared themes as pilgrimage, dislocation, race, gender, wealth, family, community, and reconciliation. The course will (1) study the chief passages and theological themes found in the extensive journey motif in the Gospel of Luke, (2) view and discuss selected American road movies, (3) facilitate a cultural and theological dialogue between the two, and (4) foster interpretive skills for biblical narrative and contemporary film. 

  

NE 567: New Testament Exegesis (Modern text). Exegetical study of the text of a New Testament book or books or portions of a New Testament book in a modern language (check Registrar Course List for book; usually either Romans, Ephesians or Revelation of John).  

  

NS 500: New Testament 1: Gospels. An introduction to the literature of the four Gospels, including attention to the background, critical issues, and theological motifs.   (If student takes NS500, they should not take NT500.) 

  

NS 501: New Testament 2: Acts-Revelation. An introduction to the literature of Acts through Revelation, including attention to the background, critical issues, and theological motifs.   (If student takes NS501, they should not take NT500.) 

  

NS 539: Early Christologies. The course will study the gospel as formulated christologically. It will start with an investigation into Jesus’ self-revelation and into the rise of the apostolic kerygma, and then it will proceed (1) to expound the meanings of various kerygmatic formulae with various christological titles; (2) to appreciate some important models of Christology in the NT; and (3) to reflect systematically on the person and work of Christ. It will conclude with an appreciation of the development of the trinitarian conception of God. 

  

NS 547: The Old Testament in the New. This course will explore several great biblical themes that span both the Old and New Testaments. These will include God, creation, salvation, Israel, leadership, the kingdom of God, eschatology, and ethics. We will note the themes in their original contexts in the Old Testament, their development in Second Temple Judaism, and their development in early Christian theology. 

  

NS 563: Race and Christian Identity in the New Testament. This online course develops a biblically-based, theological approach to identity by exploring the relationship between racial identity, ethnic identity, and Christian identity. Lectures and discussions about selected NT passages and secondary literature about identity help students understand the biblical worldview, Greco-Roman thought, and modern and postmodern trends on the subject of racial and ethnic identity. Students will be ex posed to theoretical approaches that will be used to construct a uniquely Christian ethic about issues in race relations in U.S. society. 

NT500: New Testament Introduction. New Testament Introduction orients students to the literature of the New Testament in its various literary, historical, and theological contexts and to New Testament interpretation in service of Christian practice.  (If student takes NT500, they should not take NS500 and NS501) 

  

OT 500:  Writings as Introduction to the Old Testament. The course introduces study of the Old Testament as the Word of God, a work of literature, a work emerging out of Israel's history, and a work that needs to be studied critically to grasp its significance. It focuses on the third section of the Jewish canon, the Writings: Psalms, Job, Proverbs, the Scrolls (Ruth, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs, Lamentations, and Esther), Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Chronicles.    

OT 501: Pentateuch. The contents and theology of the first five books of the Old Testament. Primary attention will be given to literary nature and structure and theological message. Theories of origin and genetic development will also be covered.   

OT 502: Hebrew Prophets. The content and literary qualities of the Former and Latter Prophets in light of their historical background and their developing theological content.   

  

OT 567: OT Exegesis (English Text): Amos. This course will provide an overview of the historical context, literary forms and theological themes of the book of Amos, introduce the student to a variety of critical approaches to the text, and study the book chapter-by-chapter. 

  

PH 508: Philosophical Issues in Apologetics. An examination of assorted challenges to Christian belief, and a survey of resources for meeting those challenges. Sample topics: the problem of evil, challenges from science, the plurality of religions and worldviews.  

PH 514: Topics in Philosophy of Religion. An examination of three major areas in philosophy of religion: (1) faith and reason (including epistemology, the justification of religious belief, theological method); (2) the relation between Christianity and science (including historical issues, evolution and creation, the apologetic value of science); and (3) the nature of the human person (dualist and physicalist accounts, religious experience, life after death).  

SP 500:  Spiritual Traditions and Practices. Spiritual practices emerge out of spiritual traditions which, in turn, often emerge from the life and experience of spiritual pioneers. This course will deal with a number of representative figures, such as Benedict, Francis & Clare of Assisi, John Calvin, Teresa of Avila, John Wesley, William Seymour, Mother Teresa, Archbishop Oscar Romero, and the spiritual traditions they founded (or influenced). Within each tradition a spiritual practice will be examined (and sometimes experienced) with an eye to its place in the postmodern church. All this will be set in the context of the broad sweep of the history and theology of Christian spirituality.     

SP 508: The Spiritual Disciplines. An introduction to the classic disciplines of the Christian life, set in the context of spiritual theology and the history of spirituality with an emphasis on understanding and practicing these disciplines.  

ST 501: Systematic Theology I: Theology and Anthropology. The doctrines of revelation and Scripture. The doctrines of God, God's attributes, and God's trinitarian mode of existence. The doctrines of creation and providence. The origin and nature of humankind; the doctrines of the fall and sin. Also taught in Spanish. M.Div. core: STB.   

ST 502: Systematic Theology II: Christology and Soteriology. The doctrine of divine election, the covenant of grace, the person and work of Christ the Mediator. The doctrines of divine calling, regeneration, repentance, faith, justification, adoption and sanctification. Also taught in Spanish. M.Div. core: STB.   

ST 503: Systematic Theology III: Ecclesiology and Eschatology. The doctrine of the church, its nature and authority. The worship of the church, the sacraments and prayer. The doctrine of last things, death and resurrection, the final judgment, heaven and hell.  

  

ST 510: Introduction to Black Theology. This course is designed to introduce students to the nature of theological study, developing a structure of divine revelation as fundamental to understanding how African Americans have developed a systematic theology in America. This course will trace the development of African American theology along with its African origins. This course will also bring Womanist thought and theology to the center of the discussion and understanding of African American/Black Theology. 

  

ST 511: Orientation to Theological Studies. This course is designed as an introduction to theological research tools for incoming students. Research methods along with scholarly presentations will be discussed in an attempt to assist students as they appropriate and develop their own theological insights and resources.   

  

ST555: Latino(a)/Hispanic Theology. This course introduces the student to the major themes and specialized disciplines that deal with U.S. Latino(a)/Hispanic communities. The approach is practical and intends to forge a critical environment for interpreting religious practices, culture, ministry models, and social structures that so far have shaped the contours of Latino living. The end product is a critical ecclesiology for churches whose constituency is the Latina community or whose intention is to embrace such a community and issues at some point. (Spanish only) 

  

TC 500: Theology and Culture. This course is an introduction to contemporary culture, its philosophies and practices, and the challenges and opportunities it presents to effective Christian ministry and mission.     

*TC 509: Theology and Pop Culture. This multi-disciplinary course will engage students in a two-way dialogue between pop culture and theology, with emphasis upon music, movies, TV, art, fashion, and sports. Students will develop a biblical, theological, and sociological understanding of these art forms and a critical understanding of the advertising, consumerism, and globalization that drives pop culture. 

TC 516: Theology, Worship, and Art. This course is an introduction to Christian reflection and practice in the visual arts. Emphasis will be on developing a Christian perspective on the arts and aesthetics that is informed by biblical, historical and theological resources and that is familiar with ways the major Christian traditions have made use of the arts. By lectures, discussions, projects and museum visits, students will engage with significant examples of art as a way of developing a critical appreciation and a Christian appropriation of this dimension of life--with respect to its value for worship and witness.  

TC 521: Theology and Contemporary Literature. This course will explore (1) modern and post-modern attitudes toward the "spiritual/transcendent/God" found in selected American literature and (2) a variety of means for theological dialogue with these works. Writings by Kesey, Updike, O'Connor, DeVries, Potok, Morrison, Robbins, Kingsolver, and Lamott, as well as selected essays in critical theory will be read. While debunking or listening, symbolizing or secularizing, arguing or affirming, American fiction over the last fifty years is often found interacting with the religious/spiritual currents that pervade our culture. As such, it invites dialogue from a theological perspective.  

TC 530: Theology and Film. This course will consider one particular aspect of a theology of culture, theology and film. The course will view and discuss selected films, provide the student the critical skills helpful for film interpretation, and explore possible theological approaches to film criticism.     

  

TC 581: Worship, Theology, and the Arts Touchstone. This course is the introductory course for all students entering the Worship, Theology and the Arts (WTA) concentrations in the Master’s level. This course introduces the students in the WTA concentration to the methodology that will under gird their theological study of Christian worship, along with narrative, performing and plastic arts. Beginning with Augustine’s philosophy of language and learning as introduced and developed in De Magistro and De Doctrina Christina, and his assertion that all we have to communicate with are signs words and gestures, this course will explore methods of exegeting signs and gestures to supplement the exegesis of words. The course will be divided into modules, each one focusing on the application of this method to Christian worship and two art forms. One module will also focus on the topic of the Brehm Lectures which the students will be required to attend. 

  

TH 550: World Religions in Christian Perspective.   The purpose of this course is twofold. First it will provide an overview of the world’s major religions—Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, and Sikhism—focusing on their emergence and history, core beliefs and practices, religious texts and interpretations, as well as contemporary influence and expres sions. Second, this course introduces various approaches on how Christianity relates to other religions and religious pluralisms, technically known as the “theology of religions.” We will critically discuss Catholic and Protestant proposals and responses and attempt an outline of Evangelical approach. Case studies will be conducted regarding Islam-, Hindu-, Buddhist-, and Sikh-Christian encounters.        

  

TH 544: The African Roots of Black Theology. This course is designed to introduce students to the nature of theological study, developing a structure of divine revelation as fundamental to understanding how African theology influenced the development of an organized, coherent, relevant theology in the African Diaspora. This course will trace the relationship of African American theology with its African origins by focusing on ancient African theology  

WS518: Worship Ministry on the Lord's Day. This course explores both the practical and theological dimensions of worship leadership and examines issues relating to the planning and implementing of worship on the Lord's Day (Sunday or Sabbath) in various Christian traditions. A significant part of the course will be devoted to the careful theological planning of worship on the Lord's Day. Students will be introduced the histories and theologies of Christian worship through time and around the globe.  Students will also be exposed to the worship life of an actual congregation, and plan worship for that church. Further, the course gives opportunity to develop skills in crafting various elements for worship; application of pastoral care to worship; musical selection and leadership.      

*YF 500: Foundation of Youth Ministry. This course gives an overview of contemporary culture, especially as it affects youth ministry, and provides historical and theological youth ministry concepts and grounding. In addition, a broad spectrum of ministry programs and issues will be addressed, such as “youth ministry as practical theology,” the changing family, organizing a ministry program, missions and service, and ministering in a multi-cultural, multi-contextual world.  

  

YF 502: Leadership in Youth Ministry. The purpose of this course is to teach students the calling, roles, and responsibility of Christian leadership in any context, but especially youth ministry. Issues discussed are: the meaning of being a Christian leader; how to develop a volunteer leadership program, how to recruit, initiate, train, nurture and care for volunteer leadership, the necessity for encouraging people in their giftedness, and how to lead, equip and best utilize interns and paid staff. 

  

YF 503: Youth Outreach and Evangelism. This course explores the biblical mandate to "go and make disciples" as it relates to the adolescent subculture. Students will learn how to articulate and pass on to others the biblical and theological view of evangelism and outreach. Through readings, lecture, projects, and discussion, students will learn how to design an incarnational as well as relational ministry program which takes seriously Christian care and evangelism with unbelieving students. Issues covered are: the content and message of the Gospel as it relates to an age-specific population, contemporary models of youth evangelism, and the partnership and networking of local parishes and the para church.   

  

YF 506: Urban Youth Culture. This course is an in-depth examination of the unique and complex dynamics of urban youth culture in the United States, with a particular focus on the values, attitudes, norms and rituals of several subcultures found in urban contexts. The significant role of popular culture in shaping U.S. urban youth culture will also be explored, notably in regard to the entertainment industry. The emanative impact of U.S. urban youth culture on young people around the globe will also be considered, as well as globalization's impact on urban youth culture in the U.S. Global urban youth issues will also be discussed.  

  

YF 518: Theological Foundations for Mission and Ministry: The Apostles' Creed as a Template. The Apostles’ Creed uniquely teaches the theological basis for both faith and ministry and therefore offers an effective template to educate, inspire and empower those ministering.  We will look at each of the Creed’s tenets in order to understand what they affirm and how these affirmations might inform our lives and ministries. 

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 MARRIAGE AND FAMILY (SOP)     

  

FS 510: Human Development in Context. This course provides an integrated overview of the process of human development in various social contexts. We will address psychological, cultural, and theological perspectives on the nature of personal and social development as we seek to answer the question, “What is God’s intention for persons to develop into?” Development will be explored from the poles of flourishing and languishing as informed by humankind’s origin in God. A life-span approach will explore core areas of identity development including moral/faith, gender and sexuality, family, and cultural/ethnicity. Students will also reflect on their own life experiences in light of the course content. 

  

FS 529: Ministry Issues in Human Sexuality. This course focuses on sexuality issues relevant to persons in Christian ministry by considering the spiritual, psychological, sociological, and physiological aspects of human sexuality.      

  

*Tentative