Notes on This List

• This list of courses offered will help you plan your coursework. It includes offerings through the Spring semester beginning in January 2010. Please remember that course schedules are subject to change. Check the current schedule, available each semester from the registrar's office, for the most up-to-date offerings. If you are a recent applicant or prospective student, you can obtain a list of courses available to entering students from the Office of Admissions.
• Wesley Theological Seminary reserves the right to cancel a course if low registration or other unforeseen circumstances require.
• Seminars have limited enrollment; prior consent of the professor is required for registration.
• Registration for all courses, including summer session, must be at regular registration periods.
• The unit of credit for all courses is the semester hour.
• Courses in history, doctrine, and polity for other denominations are offered as needed depending on enrollments.
• Beginning with the 2006-2007 catalog, changes have been made in the course numbering scheme.  In this scheme the course number will indicate degree requirements and prerequisites:
• 100 level = required courses with no prerequisites
• 200 level = elective courses with no prerequisites
• 300 level = required courses with prerequisites
• 400 level = elective courses with prerequisites
• 500 level = directed study and other unique courses
• In addition, courses related to the Practice in Ministry and Mission program have been given a new prefix (MM).  See Appendix I for a cross-reference of old course numbers.

A Note on Ordination Requirements
The 2004 Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church (Par.315) requires that all candidates for ordained ministry shall have completed the basic graduate theological studies requirements, including the areas of United Methodist history, United Methodist doctrine, United Methodist polity, and evangelism.  These courses may be completed independently or as part of a degree program.  However, election to probationary membership and commissioning cannot be granted until these requirements are successfully completed.

Biblical Interpretation: Hebrew Scriptures (BI)

Bruce C. Birch, David C. Hopkins, Denise Dombkowski Hopkins

BI-101 Introduction to Hebrew Bible I
Part I of a two-semester survey of Hebrew scriptures. Part II is offered during the Spring semester. Both semesters are required to fulfill Hebrew Bible requirements in M.Div., M.A., and M.T.S. programs. 2 hours. Faculty. Each fall.

BI-102 Introduction to Hebrew Bible II
Part II of a two-semester survey of Hebrew Scriptures. Both semesters are required to fulfill the Hebrew Bible requirement in M.Div., M.A., and M.T.S. programs. 2 hours. Faculty. Each spring.

BI-105 Introduction to Hebrew Bible I and II
Same as BI-101 and BI-102. 4 hours. Birch. Fall 2007, Fall 2008.

BI-211 Biblical Hebrew I
Grammar and vocabulary for beginners. 3 hours. Hopkins. Hopkins. Fall 2008.

BI-212 Biblical Hebrew II
Continuation of BI-211. Prerequisites: BI-211. 3 hours. Hopkins.  Fall 2008.

BI-213 Biblical Hebrew I and II
Grammar, vocabulary and thought forms. 6 hours. Faculty. Each summer term.

Old Testament Exegesis
English texts, with attention to literary and interpretive features, methods, and theological issues. Prerequisites: BI-101, -102, -171, -172.

BI-401 Genesis Hopkins.  Spring 2009.

BI-409 I and II Samuel 3 hours. Birch. Spring 2008.

BI-415 Megilloth (Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Ruth, Song of Songs, and Esther) 3 hours. Dombkowski Hopkins. Spring 2008.

BI-416 Job 3 hours. Birch. Spring 2009.

BI-417 Psalms 3 hours. Dombkowski Hopkins. Fall 2007

BI-425 Second Temple Judaism
Literature produced by the various forms of Judaism between 200 BCE and 200 CE, i.e. apocalyptic, apocryphal and pseudipigraphical works, and the Dead Sea Scrolls. Prerequisites: BI-101 and -102 or equivalent. 3 hours. Dombkowski Hopkins. Spring 2008.

BI-481 Intermediate Hebrew
Hebrew readings in prose and poetry with stress on method (formerly BI-301). Prerequisites: BI-211 and -212 3 hours. Hopkins. Fall 2007.

BI-485  Grounded in the Living Word:  Pastoral Practices and the Hebrew Bible
An interdisciplinary dialogue between Hebrew Bible and pastoral theology with attention to intersections between the biblical text and the human text with their resulting tension, ambiguities, and complexities, and their impact upon both biblical interpretation and ministerial practices.  Prerequisites:  (BI-101 and BI-102) or BI-105.  3 hours.  Dombkowski Hopkins and Koppel.  Spring 2009.

Biblical Interpretation: New Testament (BI)
Claudia Barnes, Craig C. Hill, Sharon H. Ringe

BI-171 Introduction to the New Testament: Gospels
Origins, critical methods, outstanding theological ideas of selected portions. BI-171 and -172 are required to fulfill New Testament requirements in M.Div., M.A., and M.T.S. programs. 2 hours. Faculty. Each fall.

BI-172 Introduction to the New Testament: Epistles, Acts and Revelation
Origins, critical methods, outstanding theological ideas of selected portions. BI-171 and -172 are required to fulfill the New Testament requirement in M.Div., M.A., and M.T.S. programs. 2 hours. Faculty. Each spring.

BI-261 New Testament Greek I
Grammar, vocabulary, and thought forms. 3 hours. Barnes. Fall 2007, Fall 2009.

BI-262 New Testament Greek II
A continuation of New Testament Greek I. 3 hours. Barnes. Spring 2008, Spring 2010.

BI-263 New Testament Greek I and II
Grammar, vocabulary, and thought forms. 6 hours. Barnes.  Each summer term.

New Testament Exegesis
Readings in English with attention to method and theological ideas. Prerequisites: BI-101, -102, -171, -172 and BI-341 or two semesters of a biblical language Students who use Greek may meet in an extra session each week in lieu of some written assignments.

BI-441 Matthew  3 hours. Ringe. Fall 2008

BI-442 Mark 3 hours. Ringe. Spring 2008, Spring 2010

BI-444 John 3 hours.  Ringe.  Fall 2009.

BI-448 Galatians  Grieb.  Fall 2007.

BI-461 The Christmas Story in Gospels and Art
An exploration of the Christmas stories in the Gospels through exegesis and the visual, literary and musical arts. 3 hours. Ringe and Sokolove. Fall 2007.

BI-483 Greek Exegesis
Readings with attention to method and theological ideas. Prerequisites: BI-261 and 262. 3 hours. Barnes. Fall 2008.

General Bible (BI)

BI-341 Practicum in Biblical Interpretation
Practice in the use of the tools and methods of exegesis with particular attention to the hermeneutical issues relating to biblical theology and the role of the Bible in the church. Prerequisites: BI-101 and -102, BI-171 and -172 Students who have successfully completed 6 hours. of Hebrew or Greek are excused from taking this required course. 2 hours. Faculty. Each semester.

BI-428 The Social and Material World of the Bible
Reconstruction of every day life of biblical times drawing upon archaeological and anthropological research. Emphasis on the rootedness of the Bible in the real world of biblical communities. Prerequisites: BI-101 and -102 3 hours. Hopkins. Spring 2008, Spring 2010.

BI-551 Directed Study

The following courses are proposed in this area and are pending faculty approval:

• Introduction to the Septuagint.  Barnes.  Spring 2009.
• Wisdom Literature.  Dombkowski Hopkins.  Fall 2008.

Christian Teaching and Formation (CF)

Jessicah Duckworth, Susan Willhauck

CF-120 Perennial Issues in Christian Education
Models of Christian Education and historical and contemporary issues in the field including faith development, multiculturalism, nurture and conversion, and curricular concerns. Satisfies Christian Teaching and Formation requirement for M. Div. students. 3 hours. Willhauck.

CF-122 Coming to Faith: Theories of Religious Nurture and Development
Traditional and contemporary expressions of Christian nurture in the church community and family settings. Contributions of socialization theorists, developmentalists, and moral theologians concerned with character formation will be explored and assessed in light of personal faith histories and John Wesley's doctrine of sanctification. Satisfies Christian Teaching and Formation requirement for M. Div. students. 3 hours. Willhauck.

CF-125 History and Mission of Diaconal and Lay Ministries
Survey of the ministry of the Deacon and Lay Minister from the beginning of the church to the present Required for all M.A. Degree candidates. 2 hours. Willhauck.  Spring 2009.

CF-131 Teaching the Bible
The process of teaching the literature and history of the Old and New Testament scriptures in the Church. Focus on youth and adult learners. Satisfies Christian Teaching and Formation requirement for M. Div. students. 3 hours. Kissel-Ito. 

CF-133 Teaching and Learning in Christian Education
Explores the theory and practice of learning in the faith community and examines the teaching office in the church and contextual issues of teaching. 3 hours. Duckworth. Spring 2008; Willhauck. Fall 2008.

CF-201 Foundations of Christian Spirituality
Common and enduring elements of the spiritual life and their unique expressions in Christianity. An examination of spiritual theology including conversion, salvation, stages of growth, spiritual disciplines, prayer, ascetical and mystical dimensions, spiritual empowerment, and spiritual direction in order to write one's faith-autobiography. 3 hours. Not offered 2007-08

CF-202 Spiritual Disciplines
An examination of such disciplines as prayer, study, silence, Sabbath, solitude, care of the body, meditation, contemplation, spiritual direction, and service in order to develop a rule for one's spiritual life. 3 hours. Thomas.  Spring 2008.

CF-203 Spirituality for Ministry
A survey of the classics of the Christian contemplative heritage, and a practicum in the spiritual disciplines necessary for the formation of ministers. Includes mysticism and prophetism in the religions of the West, spirituality for church leadership, spiritual direction, issues of personal power and justice, and types of prayer. 2 hours. Not offered 2007-08.

CF-210  African Spirituality and the Growth of the Christian Church in Africa
African spirituality, as well as an understanding of the cultural, social, and political forces that influenced the growth of the Christian Church in African in the 20th and 21st centuries.  1 hour.  Matsikenyiri.  Fall 2007

CF-240 Youth Ministry: Foundations
Exploration of biblical, theological and philosophical foundations undergirding the practice of ministry to, with and through young people with special emphasis on cultural and contextual considerations that enhance relational youth ministry. 3 hours. Not offered 2007-08.

CF-246 The Practice of Youth Ministry
A vital reflection and critical examination upon the wide range of issues inherent within the practice of youth ministry, with particular attention upon ministry models, opportunities for youth ministry development, management needs and ministry accountability within diverse cultural and socio-economic contexts. 3 hours. Not offered 2007-08.

CF-250 Readings in Adolescent Spirituality
An examination of recent literature in the spirituality of adolescents and adolescent faith development in post modern times and implications for youth ministry.  Strategies for practicing spiritual and vocation discernment with youth.  2 hours.  Willhauck.  Fall 2007.

CF-551 Directed Study 1 or 2 hours.

The following courses are proposed in this area and are pending faculty approval:

• Adult Formation in the Church.  Duckworth.  Spring 2008.

History of Christianity and Historical Theology (CH)

Beverly E. Mitchell, Amy G. Oden

CH-101 The Church in History: Early Church to Reformation
Historical life of the church to the 16th century: institutional formation and doctrinal development in historical context. 3 hours. Faculty. Each fall semester.

CH-102 The Church in History: Reformation to Present
Historical life of the church from the Reformation to the present: institutional formation and doctrinal development in historical context. 3 hours.  Faculty. Each spring semester.

CH-205 Baptist History
Historical origins and basic theological perspectives in Baptist traditions.  3 hours.  Moyer.  Spring 2008.

CH-212 African American Religious History
Survey of the African-American religious experience from the Atlantic slave trade to the black liberation movement. 3 hours. Mitchell. Fall 2008.

CH-217 Prophetic Literature in the African American Tradition
Exploration of literature from the African American religious tradition, from the period of slavery through the modern civil rights movement, which bears witness to the prophetic dimensions of the gospel. 3 hours. Mitchell. Spring 2008, Spring 2010.

Readings in the Christian Tradition
Examinations of selected theological writings and lives in the Christian tradition.

CH-227 Augustine Pass/fail only. 1 hour. Oden. Spring 2008.

CH-401 Early Christian Communities
Development of the history and thought of early Christian communities; examination of movements, figures, practices and teachings with focus on primary sources. Prerequisite: CH-101 or CH-102. 2 hours. Oden. Spring 2009.

CH-402  Hospitality:  Welcoming the Stranger
Examination of hospitality as both virtue and practice in early Christianity, with emphasis on biblical, theological, ethical and ecclesial aspects.  Consideration of its recovery in ethics and congregational life today.  Prerequisites:  CH-101 or CH-102.  3 hours.  Oden.  Spring 2008.

CH-420  Historical Theology:  Doctrines of Sin and Salvation
History and development of teachings about sin and salvation in the Christian tradition form the early communities through the modern period; includes New Testament sources, Augustine, Aquinas, Julian of Norwich, Luther, Teresa of Avila, Calvin, and Wesley, among others.  3 hours.  Oden.  Spring 2010.

CH-450 The Theology of John Wesley
Studies in the life, thought and significance of John Wesley.  Use of primary materials. Prerequisite: CH-102. 2 hours. Kisker. Spring 2010.

CH-451 A Historical/Theological Introduction to the Pentecostal and Charismatic Movements
An examination of the twentieth-century Pentecostal and Charismatic movements, using primarily a thematic approach.  Attention to the theological distinctives as they developed in their historical, cultural and ecclesial contexts. Prerequisite:  CH-102.  Faupel. Fall 2008.

CH-475 History of Christian Spiritual Practices
Examination of spiritual practices and disciplines within Christianity from 2nd to 20th centuries, including experiential exploration of practices.  Focus on the practices for spiritual growth developed by various Christian communities. 3 hours. Oden. Each spring semester.

CH-551 Directed Study 1 or 2 hours.

The following courses are proposed in this area and are pending faculty approval:

• Charles Wesley.  Soulen.  Spring 2010.

Congregational Life and Mission (CM)

Scott Thomas Kisker, Kyunglim Shin Lee, Lewis A. Parks, Lovett H. Weems, Jr.

CM-133 Best Practices in Church Leadership and Administration
Positive models for approaching specific leadership and administration issues typically faced by pastors in the first years of ministry; emphasis on local church experience and the constant need to filter that experience through the lenses of vocation, polity, and theological reflection. An introductory level course that will help students identify particular issues for further study while in seminary. Fulfills Church Administration requirement. 3 hours. Weems. Each fall semester.

CM-136 Leadership and Administration for Small Churches
Various exercises in ecclesiology (e.g., naming the marks of the true church, searching for the "soul" of the congregation, unfolding the ministry of all Christians) for the sake of uncovering a contemporary vision of hope for small churches. The application of this vision to the fiscal, sociological, cultural, and denominational challenges facing small churches. Includes leadership and administration topics such as starting out, discerning direction, time management, and the character of the called. Fulfills Church Administration requirement. 3 hours. Parks. Each spring semester.

CM-206 Introduction to Deaf Ministry
An introduction to the dynamics of deaf ministry: communication, education, and worship with the deaf and hearing impaired. 3 hours. Johnson.

CM-207 Accessibility and the Church: Ministry with People with Disabilities
An examination of a wide spectrum of issues relating to ministry with people with disabilities including a Biblical theology of disability, language issues, architectural and attitudinal accessibility, an overview of a variety of disability communities, and practical information. 3 hours. Johnson. Not offered 2007-08.

CM-208 Studying Congregational Ministry
Examination of congregations and other settings of ministry in their contexts, using theory and methods from cultural anthropology, sociology, family systems, and organizational behavior. Fulfills Ministry and Social Sciences requirement. 2 hours. Faculty. Each fall semester.

CM-221 Visual Technologies for the Church
The use of visual technologies for worship and Christian Education applications. Methodologies, hardware and software options, worship space and classroom design and functionality with specific examples form churches engaged in the use of visual technologies. 2 hours. Conte.  Fall 2007.

CM-230 Foundations of Urban Ministry I
Develop a theological and biblical vision for urban ministry. Explore the racial and social justice vision of The Beloved Community of M. L. King, Jr. and The Kingdom of God in the Social Gospel of Raushenbusch. Examine biblical texts as resources for urban ministry. Learn literary and socio-historical exegetical methods. 3 hours. Smith. Each fall semester. Not offered 2007-08

CM-231 Foundations of Urban Ministry II
Learn basic principles of leading faith-based service delivery, community building, community development corporations, and community organizing, with a focus on practices of grant writing, non-profit issues, community coalitions, and participatory action research. 3 hours. Smith. Each spring semester.

CM-239 Church Growth with Theological Integrity
Survey and critique of several current schools of church growth strategy and articulation of a feasible and theologically defensible vision of vital congregations. 2 hours. Parks. Each fall semester.

CM-251 Polity of the United Methodist Church
The Constitution and structural relationships of The United Methodist Church are examined with a particular focus upon the workings of the local church. (Satisfies United Methodist polity requirement stated in Discipline Par.315.4c and 326(1)(d)) 2 hours. Parks. Fall 2007.

CM-254 Presbyterian Polity, Structure and Program
A study of present polity, organization and program of Presbyterian congregations. Presbyteries, Synods, and General Assembly, and ways of developing local congregation structure and program; presentations by representatives of various Presbyterian agencies, exposure to materials, role play, study of models. 2 hours. Jervis. Fall 2007.

CM-255 Baptist Polity
Historical origins and basic theological perspectives in Baptist traditions; study of present polity, organization, and program of Baptist congregations.  Not offered 2007-08.

CM-256 Polity of the Unitarian Universalist Church
Study of present polity, organization, and program of Unitarian Universalist congregations. 2 hours. Hardies.  Not offered 2007-08.

CM-257 Polity of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
Study of present polity, organization, and program of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. 2 hours. Byrd.  Not offered 2007-08..

CM-258 Polity of the United Church of Christ
Study of present polity, organization, and program of United Church of Christ congregations. 2 hours. Brown Zikmund.  Spring 2008.

CM-270 Evangelism in the Contemporary Church and World
Theological foundations of Christian evangelism. Various models of theological praxis from the early to the contemporary church. Particular emphasis on contemporary strategies for evangelism and theological criteria for critical evaluation. Fulfills the evangelism requirement for election to probationary membership and commissioning in The United Methodist Church as specified in The Book of Discipline 2000, para. 315. 2 hours. Kisker. Each fall semester.

CM-271 Evangelism in the Wesleyan/Methodist Tradition
Wesley's theology of evangelism, appropriation and development of evangelistic purpose by early Methodist movements, historical models of Wesleyan evangelism, contemporary models of evangelism within the Wesleyan/Methodist tradition.  2 hours.  Kisker.  Spring 2009.

CM-272 The Korean Immigrant Church
Exploration of mission and ministry in the Korean immigrant community. Emerging immigrant theology, practical skills for ministry, consideration of various settings and concerns for the future of immigrant ministry. 3 hours. Shin Lee. Spring 2008.

CM-401 Practicum in Visual Technologies
Advanced skills in visual technologies for ministry.  1 hour.  Conte.  Fall 2007.

CM-416 High Potential Metro Churches
Church growth and development in metropolitan areas; churches in transition due to economic decline, as well as racial, ethnic and class transitions.  Develop skills in congregational studies, evangelism, urban missions and church planting. Prerequisite:  CM-231, ES-251, or ES-253 2 hours. Smith. Spring 2008.

CM-551 Directed Study 1 or 2 credits.

Christian Ethics, Sociology, and Politics (ES)

Shaun A. Casey, Barbara Green, James M. Shopshire, Sondra Ely Wheeler

ES-216  The Moral Imagination
Exploration of the power of arts to reinforce or transform the way we see.  Uses novels, poetry, drama, film and visual art to illuminate perceptions of race.  2 hours.  Wheeler.  Spring 2009.

ES-221 Christianity and Politics
Theological and ethical perspectives on government, public policy, and the vocation of politics. Religious influences on American political culture. Contributions of political science to understanding religious behavior. Political ministry of the churches. 3 hours. Casey. Fall 2009

ES-228 Ethics, War and Film
An examination of the morality of war as portrayed in the medium of film.  2 hours.  Casey.  Fall 2007.

ES-230 Current Topics in Bioethics
An exploration of a set of current issues such as reproductive technology, research on human embryos and genetic intervention. Focuses on ethical and theological implications. 3 hours. Wheeler. Spring 2010.

ES-234 Sexual Issues in Parish Ministry
Exploration of an understanding of sexuality and investigation of current sexual issues using the case method. 2 hours. Hardman-Cromwell. Each spring semester.

ES-241 Readings:  Ending Global Poverty
A reading course examining two recent economic proposals to address global poverty:  The End of Poverty by Jeffrey Sachs and Making Globalization Work by Josephy Stiglitz.  1 hour.  Casey.  Fall 2007.

ES-251 Sociology of Religion
An introduction to the social scientific study of religion with emphasis on understanding the organization and function of the church as a social institution, and patterns of interaction between ideas, structures and processes in religion and society. Fulfills Ministry and Social Sciences requirement. 3 hours. Shopshire. Each fall semester.

ES-265 Urban Ministry: Church and Community Settings
An introductory supervised internship in a ministry setting for exposure to and observation of urban ministry practice in the social context of congregation and community. Seminar and field experience each week. 3 hours. Daniels. Spring 2008.

ES-266 Contemporary Issues in Urban Ministry
Examination of metropolitan issues of poverty, racism, crime, housing, education, immigration, urban gangs, urban policy and fiscal crisis. Single topic focus during each semester offered. Topics: 2007-The Income and Wealth Gap; 2009-Inter-ethnic Conflict. 3 hours. Shopshire. Each Fall Semester.

ES-270 Urban Ministry Action
Topical issues in urban ministry. Topics: 2008-The Churches and Public Education; 2010-Ministry and the Criminal Justice System. 3 hours. Shopshire. Each Spring semester.

ES-302 Ethical Dimensions of Ministry
The dimensions of ministry involving moral teaching, counsel, and mediation of moral conflicts, along with moral challenges raised by the practice of ministry (e.g., confidentiality and boundary setting). Prerequisites: BI-101 and -102, -171 and -172; CH-101 and -102 Fulfills Christian Ethics requirement in the M.Div. program. 3 hours. Wheeler. Fall 2007, Spring 2009.

ES-303 Sources of Christian Moral Insight
Consideration of the four traditional sources of moral insight and authority for Christian faith: Scripture, Tradition, Reason, and Experience. Discussion of the meaning of the "quadrilateral" by those who formulated it, and as understood today. Relationships of these, and how they can-and cannot-legitimately function in diverse Christian communities. Prerequisites: BI-101 and -102, -171 and -172; CH-101 and -102 Fulfills Christian Ethics requirement in the M.Div. program. 3 hours. Wheeler. Spring 2008, Spring 2010.

ES-308 Formative Influences in the Christian Moral Tradition
Foundations of Christian theological ethics with focus on seminal thinkers in the tradition including: Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin and Wesley. Prerequisites: BI-101 and -102, -171 and -172; CH-101 and -102 Fulfills Christian Ethics requirement in the M.Div. program. 3 hours. Wheeler. Fall 2007, Fall 2009.

ES-318 Christian Ethics: A Topical Approach
Consideration of a changing set of issues in Christian ethics as occasion for examining the nature of the discipline: study of diverse sources, how we know what we know morally, sources of moral insight and moral reasoning. Prerequisites: BI-101 and -102, -171 and -172; CH-101 and -102. Fulfills Christian Ethics requirement in the M.Div. program. 3 hours. Wheeler. Fall 2008.

ES-402 Bioethics and Pastoral Care
Foundations, methods and issues of contemporary biomedical ethics. Special attention to theological bases and implications of health care and to the relevance of medical ethics for chaplaincy and pastoral ministry. Prerequisites: Christian Ethics requirement. 3 hours. Wheeler. Fall 2008.

ES-403 Ethics of Personal Relationships
Addresses issues of truth-telling, confidentiality, promise-keeping, friendship and sexual ethics as dimensions of ethical responsibility in human relationships. Prerequisite: Basic Christian Ethics requirement. 3 hours. Wheeler. Fall 2007.

ES-454 Sociology of the Black Religious Experience
A sociological view of religious beliefs and practices in relationship to patterns of group identity, social action/interaction roles, institutions and processes of change in the experience of Black people Prerequisites: An introductory course in Sociology of Religion or permission of instructor. Topics: 2008-Black Churches as Financial Institutions in a Global Economy. 3 hours. Shopshire. Each spring semester.

ES-491 NCSS Interaction/Reflection Seminar
Exploration of significant public issues and political processes and their theological and practical implications through meetings with public officials, political figures, lobbyists, and church social action leaders. Group seminar sessions, mutual critique of student position papers, selected readings. Prerequisites: Enrollment limited to participants in the National Capital Semester for Seminarians. 4 hours. Casey. Each spring semester.

ES-495 NCSS Individual Research Project
Research on a selected issue of national or international significance emphasizing its theological/ethical implications and its implications for Christian political action. Enrollment limited to participants in The National Capital Semester for Seminarians. Must be taken concurrently with ES-491. 3 hours. Casey. Each spring semester.

ES-497 Supervised Social Ethics Internship
Practical field experience in settings other than local church. Inter-professional encounter, cooperation, and dialogue. 6 hours. per week plus two hours. in class. 3 hours. Casey. Each spring semester.

ES-551 Directed Study 1 or 2 credits.

The following courses are proposed in this area and are pending faculty approval:

• Readings in Virtue Ethics.  Wheeler.  Spring 2008.

Integrated Theological Studies (IS)

IS-205 American Culture Seminar for International Students
Cultural issues and values in the United States, cultural adjustment and adaptation, major themes in American life:  education, politics, customs, values, relationships/family, communications/media, religion, diversity and geography.  Open only to international students.  1 credit. A. Davis. Fall 2007.

IS-218 Writing for Ministry and the Ministry of Writing
A practical approach to effective writing for those preparing for Christian ministry or active lay participation in the church. 2 hours. Hepler. Each spring semester.

IS-301 M.T.S. Thesis
Prerequisites: M.T.S. candidates only. See academic calendar for submission deadlines. 3 hours. Faculty. Each semester.

IS-551 Directed Study 1 or 2 hours.

Non-credit Courses (NC)

NC-112 Foundations for Writing for International Students
Practicum in writing skills. Hepler. Each fall semester.

Practice in Ministry and Mission (MM)

Youtha Hardman-Cromwell, Fred Douglas Smith, Jr., Joseph S. Tortorici

Contextual Education: Ministry in an Interconnected World
Certain courses in the Congregational Life and Mission area are to be taken in conjunction with a placement in a teaching congregation or ministerial setting as detailed in the full descriptions of degrees earlier in this catalog. The courses must be taken consecutively and the entire sequence must be completed to fulfill the degree requirement.

Master of Arts students and Master of Divinity students in the Practice of Ministry and Mission and Urban Ministry Programs must complete Covenant Discipleship (MM-101 and -102) prior to beginning the PMM sequence. Master of Divinity students in the Student Pastor Program take Covenant Discipleship (MM-101 and -102) concurrently with the first year of the sequence. All students must complete Intercultural Immersion (MM-150) as part of the Contextual Education sequence. The courses which fulfill the Contextual Education requirement are listed below by program. Full descriptions follow in the course listings.

Master of Arts Program (4 hours):

• MM-301 and -302 Master of Arts Colloquy I

Practice in Ministry and Mission Program (8 hours):

• MM-311 and -312 Practice in Ministry and Mission Colloquy I
• MM-313 and -314 Practice in Ministry and Mission Colloquy II

Student Pastor Program (8 hours):

• MM-321 and -322 Student Pastor Program Seminar I
• MM-323 and -324 Student Pastor Program Seminar II
• MM-325 and -326 Student Pastor Program Seminar III

Internship in Ministry and Mission (8 hours):

• MM-331 and MM-332 Internship in Ministry and Mission

MM-101 Covenant Discipleship Colloquy I
An adaptation of the early Methodist class meeting, these weekly groups are designed to introduce students to the sustained practice of spiritual disciplines and provide a model of mutual accountability. A two-semester course for all M.Div. and M.A. students, to be taken during first year of studies. Graded Pass/Fail only. 2 hours. Kisker. Each fall semester.

MM-102 Covenant Discipleship Colloquy II
An adaptation of the early Methodist class meeting, these weekly groups are designed to introduce students to the sustained practice of spiritual disciplines and provide a model of mutual accountability. Prerequisites: MM-101. A two-semester course for all M.Div. and M.A. students, to be taken during first year of studies. Graded Pass/Fail only. 1 hour. Kisker. Each spring semester.

MM-150 PMM: Intercultural Immersion
Participation in an immersion experience in a cross-cultural context, either internationally or in the United States. Pass/Fail only. Required of all M.Div. and M.A. students. 2 hours. Faculty. Each semester.

MM-301 PMM: Master of Arts Colloquy I
Two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring). Placement in a learning setting-arranged through the PMM office-is required by May 1 of the prior year. Pass/Fail only. 2 hours. Faculty. Each fall semester.

MM-302 PMM: Master of Arts Colloquy II
Two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring). Placement in a learning setting-arranged through the PMM office-is required by May 1 of the prior year. Prerequisites: MM-301 Pass/Fail only. 2 hours. Faculty. Each spring semester.

MM-311 PMM: Practice in Ministry and Mission Colloquy I
Pass/Fail only. Two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring) following completion of the first 30 hours (see M.Div. degree requirements). Placement in a learning setting-arranged through the PMM office-is required by May 1 of the prior year. Corequisite: Ministry and Social Sciences requirement.  2 hours. Faculty. Each fall semester.

MM-312 PMM: Practice in Ministry and Mission Colloquy I
Prerequisite:  MM-311.  Pass/Fail only. Two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring) following completion of the first 30 hours (see M.Div degree requirements). Placement in a learning setting-arranged through the PMM office-is required by May 1 of the prior year. 2 hours. Faculty. Each spring semester.

MM-313 PMM: Practice in Ministry and Mission Program Colloquy II
Prerequisite: MM-312. Pass/Fail only. Two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring) following completion of CM-361 and -362. 2 hours. Faculty. Each fall semester.

MM-314 PMM: Practice in Ministry and Mission Program Colloquy II
Prerequisite: MM-313. Pass/Fail only. Two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring) following completion of CM-361 and -362. 2 hours. Faculty. Each spring semester.

MM-321 PMM: Student Pastor Program Seminar I
Those enrolled will participate in a weekly ministry reflection seminar. Each student will develop a local church mission statement and an evaluation process with the Learning Partners and an approved Pastoral Mentor. Prerequisites: Limited to persons in the Student Pastor Track. Pass/Fail only. Corequisite: Ministry and Social Sciences requirement. 1.5 hours. Parks. Each fall semester.

MM-322 PMM: Student Pastor Program Seminar I
Those enrolled will participate in a weekly ministry reflection seminar. Each student will develop a local church mission statement and an evaluation process with the Learning Partners and an approved Pastoral Mentor. Prerequisites: MM-321. Limited to persons in the Student Pastor Track. Pass/Fail only. 1.5 hours. Parks. Each spring semester.

MM-323 PMM: Student Pastor Program Seminar I
Those enrolled will participate in a weekly ministry reflection seminar. Each student will develop a local church mission statement and an evaluation process with the Learning Partners and an approved Pastoral Mentor. Prerequisites: MM-322. Limited to persons in the Student Pastor Track. Pass/Fail only. 1.5 hours. Stewart. Each fall semester.

MM-324 PMM: Student Pastor Program Seminar II
Those enrolled will participate in a weekly ministry reflection seminar. Each student will develop a local church mission statement and an evaluation process with the Learning Partners and an approved Pastoral Mentor. Prerequisites: MM-323. Limited to persons in the Student Pastor Track. Pass/Fail only. 1.5 hours. Stewart. Each spring semester.

MM-325 PMM: Student Pastor Program Seminar III
Those enrolled will participate in a weekly ministry reflection seminar. Each student will develop a local church mission statement and an evaluation process with the Learning Partners and an approved Pastoral Mentor. Prerequisites: MM-324. Limited to persons in the Student Pastor Track. Pass/Fail only. 1 hour. Shropshire. Each fall semester.

MM-326 PMM: Student Pastor Program Seminar III
Those enrolled will participate in a weekly ministry reflection seminar. Each student will develop a local church mission statement and an evaluation process with the Learning Partners and an approved Pastoral Mentor. Prerequisites: MM-325. Limited to persons in the Student Pastor Track Pass/Fail only. 1 hour. Shropshire. Each spring semester.

MM-331 Internship in Ministry and Mission
One year of full-time work under supervision in an approved field setting. Prerequisites: a minimum of two semesters of full-time seminary work. Learning contract and evaluation procedures to be determined in relation to the Practice in Ministry and Mission Office and subject to its approval. Pass/Fail only. Students may not enroll in any other course while enrolled in internship. 4 hours. Each fall semester.

MM-332 Internship in Ministry and Mission
One year of full-time work under supervision in an approved field setting. Prerequisites: MM-331 a minimum of two semesters of full-time seminary work. Learning contract and evaluation procedures to be determined in relation to the Practice in Ministry and Mission Office and subject to its approval. Pass/Fail only. Students may not enroll in any other course while enrolled in internship. 4 hours. Each spring semester.

Pastoral Care and Counseling (PC)

Michael S. Koppel, Mary Clark Moschella

PC-101 Counseling Skills for Pastoral Ministry
Skill-building in listening, responding, asserting self, dealing with conflict and problem solving. An overview of the counseling process with some focus on life-stage development, stress, crisis and bereavement. A laboratory course including audio and video role-play and verbatims. 3 hours. Koppel, Moschella, or Miller. Each semester.

PC-111 Pastoral are and Counseling in Contexts
A survey introducing basic areas of care and counseling of the minister in parish situations: visitation, hospital ministry, addictions and co-dependence, etc., with attention to issues of gender, cross-culture, spirituality and sexual orientation as related to social justice issues of the church. Theory and skill-building involved. 3 hours. Koppel or Moschella. Each semester.

PC-226 Spirituality of Pastoral Care and Counseling
Investigation of interrelationship between spirituality, care and counseling. The theoretical and professional development of religious leaders a care gives including attention to: nature of spirituality and spiritual well-being and assessment; spiritual care and pastoral conversations; spiritual direction and relationship to pastoral care and counseling; religious problems in pastoral care and counseling. 3 credits. Koppel. Fall 2007.

PC-244 Feminist and Womanist Perspectives on Pastoral Theology
A seminar on a range of feminist and womanist perspectives on theology and pastoral theology, including third-world liberationist views; analysis of the role of social location (e.g., gender, class, and race) in theology and pastoral practice. 3 hours. Mitchell and Moschella. Fall 2009.

PC-252 Pastoral Perspectives on Mental Illness and Substance Abuse
The symptoms and signs of mental illness and substance abuse. Memoirs, film and guest speakers convey the experiential quality of schizophrenia, depression, alcoholism, bipolar disease, drug abuse and various forms of anxiety. 2 hours. Moschella. Spring 2009.

PC-275  Ethnography and Transformation in Congregations and Communities I
Part one of a year-long seminar in ethnography as a form of pastoral listening.  Focus on the study of religious practice, emphasizing description and interpretation.  Original research, with attention to ethnography's impact on relationships.  2 hours.  Moschella.  Fall 2009

PC-276  Ethnography and Transformation in Congregations and Communities II
Part two of a year-long seminary in ethnography and pastoral theology.  Emphasis on data analysis, writing, and sharing research results with the community. Explores spiritual and social transformation.  Prerequisite:  PC-275.  Completion of PC-275 and PC-276 fulfills the Ministry and Social Sciences requirement.  2 hours.  Moschella.  Spring 2010.

PC-401 Play Theory and Plays: Creativity in Pastoral Ministry
Engaging contemporary play scripts and pastoral theological literature for critical pastoral theological reflection on the complex dynamics of human relationship; theoretical resources and practical pastoral skills (such as improvisation) for developing and enhancing creativity in the practice of ministry. 3 hours. Berger and Koppel. Fall 2008

PC-402 Seminar: Cross-cultural Pastoral Care and Counseling
Issues of pastoral care and counseling in our increasingly cross-cultural congregations; cross-cultural communication skills, cross-cultural sensitivity, overcoming racism in pastoral care and counseling, and models of multi-cultural ministry. 3 hours. Koppel. Spring 2008

PC-403 Pastoral Perspectives on Couples' and Family Counseling
Pastoral work with couples preparing for marriage as well as families moving through divorce. An overview of couple, marriage and family counseling, and cross-cultural issues in family health and healing. Prerequisites: PC-101 or -111 3 hours. Moschella. Spring 2008.

PC-404 Death, Dying, and Bereavement
Pastoral care with dying and grieving persons. Prerequisite: PC-101 or -111. 3 hours. Koppel. Spring 2010.

PC-405 Poetics and Politics of Religious Conversion
Analysis of personal and social dimensions of religious conversion. Presentation of a cross-disciplinary perspective (psychology and sociology) with which to view the event and process of religious conversion in preparation for parish ministry and mission in the world. 3 hours. Clarke and Moschella.  Fall 2008.

PC-491 Clinical Pastoral Education
Clinical pastoral training and supervision in approved institutions such as D.C. area's Catholic University Pastoral Center, Sibley Memorial Hospital, St. Elizabeth's Hospital, Washington Hospital Center, Asbury Village, Holy Cross Hospital, Suburban Hospital, National Institutes of Health. One half unit C.P.E. Pass/fail only.  Prerequisites: PC-101 or PC-111 3 hours. Each semester.

PC-493 Clinical Pastoral Education
Full-time summer clinical pastoral training in approved institutions. Concentrated full unit of C.P.E. offered in one semester or summer. Pass/fail only.  (See PC-491). Prerequisites: PC-101 or -111 6 hours. Each semester.

PC-551 Directed Study 1 or 2 hours.

Preaching and Worship (PW)

Lucy L. Hogan, William B. McClain, Laurence Hull Stookey

PW-101 Introduction to Corporate Worship
Theological foundations, history, and practice of Christian worship with particular attention given to the sacraments and the liturgical calendar; ecumenical and related to congregational life and faith. 3 hours. Stookey. Fall 2007.

PW-201 The Lively Word
Principles and dynamics of reading scripture and liturgy aloud. Voice work to develop relaxation and range in presentation. Pass/Fail only. 2 hours. R. Kisker. Each semester.

Readings in Preaching
Examination of writings and sermons throughout the history of Christianity.  Pass/Fail only.  1 hour.

PW-211 Women Preachers Hogan. Fall 2009.

PW-373 Writing for Worship
History and contemporary usese of liturgical languages; services for specific occasions; writing and analyzing prayer texts, responsive readings, and other spoken corporate worship material; attention to rhetorical style, inclusive language, and ease of readability.  2 hours.  Sokolove.  Spring 2008, Spring 2010.

PW-301 Pastoral Liturgics Practicum
The pastor as leader of Sunday worship, both eucharistic and non-eucharistic, and as leader of the occasional rites (including initiation, marriage, and burial). Emphasis upon the planning and conduct of the services within the various denominational traditions represented in the class. Prerequisites: PW-101 Pass/Fail only. 2 hours. Faculty. Each semester.

PW-324 Worship Today
Theoretical and practical examination of significant changes occurring in the worship and preaching of many congregations.  3 hours.  Guenther and Hogan.  Spring 2008

PW-325 Foundations of Preaching
Purpose and practice of preaching. Homiletical theory and method. Prerequisites: BI-101, -102, -171, and -172. 3 hours. Faculty. Each semester.

Preaching Practicum
Development of skills of sermon preparation, delivery and critical analysis, based on sermons written for and preached to the class. Offered in topical or general sections.  Prerequisites:  PW-171.  2 hours.

PW-334 Preaching for Contemporary Worship  Lunt.  Spring 2008

PW-335 Preaching the Lectionary  Hogan. Matthew Fall 2007; Mark Fall 2008; Luke Fall 2009

PW-336 Preaching the Season Hogan. Lent/Easter/Pentecost Fall 2007; Advent/Christmas/Epiphany Fall 2008; Lent/Easter/Pentecost Spring 2010

PW-337 Situational Preaching  Hogan. Weddings/Funerals/Crises  Fall 2008

PW-338 Themes of Preaching  Hogan. Images of God in Preaching Fall 2009

PW-339 The New Stained Glass  Hogan. Visual Media in Preaching Spring 2009 

PW-340 General Preaching  Faculty.  Each semester. 

PW-371 Parish Preaching
Preaching in relation to other aspects of parish ministry. Emphasis on the parish setting for pastoral preaching (to encourage, support, enable) and prophetic preaching (to confront, disturb, challenge). Practice in delivery of sermons. Prerequisites: PW-171. 3 hours. McClain. Fall 2007

PW-372 Biblical Preaching
Preparation and delivery of biblical sermons. Prerequisites: PW-171 or demonstrated competence. 3 hours. McClain. Spring 2008.

PW-373 Preaching and Worship in the Black Tradition
The art of preaching from a black perspective; distinctive aspects of this preaching due to the crucible of affliction out of which it comes; its inherently prophetic character. 3 hours. McClain. Spring 2008.

PW-402 Worship Today
Theoretical and practical examination of significant changes occurring in the worship and preaching of many congregations. 3 hours. Guenther and Hogan. Spring 2008.

PW-551 Directed Study 1 or 2 hours.

Religion and the Arts

Deryl Davis, Eileen Guenther, Catherine A. Kapikian, Deborah Sokolove

RA-112 The Holy in Washington DC Art: Art as Embodiment
Theological themes and major styles of art encountered through studio lectures, slide presentations, and field trips to this city's painting, sculpture, manuscript illumination, icons, and stained glass. Application of learnings to local church 3 hours. Kapikian. Fall 2007, Spring 2010.

RA-113  Art as Worship, Worship as Art
Exploration of the relationships between art-making as a spiritual discipline, using art as a focus for personal devotion, incorporating artforms into corporate worship, and seeing corporate worship itself as a form of art.  2 hours.  Sokolove.  Spring 2009.

RA-114 Ecclesiastical Design and Construction: Art as Proclamation
Seeing church environments critically; programming visual initiatives; utilize visual symbols; experience contemporary religious works on-site; designing and, where possible constructing student's choice of paraments, vestments,banners, site specific work, and graphics. 2 hours. Kapikian. Spring 2009.

RA-116 Art and Spirituality: A Quest to Encounter God
The challenge of images to Christian devotion from the catacombs to the present. The influence of particular schools of spirituality on art and artists. Study of spiritual classics and art masterpieces. 3 hours. Kapikian and Thomas. Fall 2008.

RA-130 Chapel Choir
Participation in singing for community worship: reflection on the role of church music in Christian worship. May be taken a maximum of six semesters for credit. 1 hour. Guenther. Each semester.

RA-132 Sacred Music in the USA
Close look at America's sacred music from colonial "fuging tunes" to contemporary gospel, including assessing music forms that can enhance worship of churches large and small. 2 hours. Guenther. Fall 2007.

RA-133 Masterpieces of Western Sacred Music
An opportunity for in-depth studyof some of the great works in Western Christian musical literature, including Handel's Messiah, Hayden' s Creation, Bach's passion setting and others, withan eye to the relationship of the music, set texts and their biblical origins. 2 hours. Spring 2009.

RA-134 Sacred Music of the World
Sacred music of Latin America, Asia, and Africa, the repertoire, the instruments, performance and language issues, as well as of teaching this music for incorporation in worship. 3 hours. Guenther. Spring 2010.

RA-135 Music Skills for the Local Church
The basics of music for pastors and others in local church ministry. Music reading, terminology, listening drills, singing of hymn tunes and basic sight reading. This course is intended for those who have little or no previous musical experience. 2 hours. Guenther. Fall 2008

RA-137 Exploring the Hymnal
Examines the United Methodist Hymnal and hymnals from other major Protestant denominations, focusing on diverse cultural traditions that are part of today's worship. 2 hours. Guenther. Fall 2009.

RA-142 Language of Grace: Readings in Modern Literature
Twentieth century literature's affirmation, criticism and revision of basic Christian themes: faith, love and family relationships, life and death, sin and grace, the church, clergy and scriptural teaching. 3 hours. Staudt. Spring 2010.

RA-144 Scripture in Literature
An exploration of how writers from different times, places, and cultural perspectives have retold and reinterpreted stories from scripture: including John Milton, Renita Weems, Frederick Buechner, Lucille Clifton, Denise Levertov, Margaret Atwood, James Weldon Johnson and others. 3 hours. Staudt. Spring 2009.

RA-152 Contemplative Drawing: Nurturing the Spiritual Self
Stimulate prophetic imagination through seeing, drawing, being. Explore creative process in relationship to spiritual formation. Left-hemispheric verbal, logical, and analytical processing integrated with right-hemispheric spatial, intuitive processing. Especially for non-artists. Evaluation on process rather than product. 2 hours. Kapikian. Fall 2009.

RA-186 Drama for Worship and Ministry
Application of dramatic techniques for church worship and ministry-building; writing and performance of brief dramas based upon a biblical text or parable; acting and directing techniques applicable to larger productions for church, seminary, or other settings. 2 hours. Davis. Not offered 2007-08.

RA-188 Tools for Drama in Ministry
Basic theatre techniques for application in church and ministry settings. Includes improvisation, role playing from biblical sources, choral presentation of scripture, and performance of an original short liturgical drama. Reading includes essays in performance theory and biblical storytelling, as well as selected plays. No prior experience in drama necessary.  2 hours.  Davis.  Fall 2007.

RA-189  Writing for Drama in Worship
Playwriting techniques for short dramas from biblical/theological texts designed for worship.  2 hours.  Davis.  Spring 2008.

RA-220 Oxnam Chapel Visuals
Principles of design and visual proclamation for an architectural setting through collaborative work with other students and the Chapel Elder to plan, design, and execute paraments, banners, and other visual materials for community worship in Oxnam Chapel, taking into account the liturgical calendar, lectionary readings, and special celebrations that occur during the semester. 2 hours. Sokolove. Fall 2008.

RA-253 Art for God's Sake: Art, Visual Culture and Christian Understanding
Investigate the ways that art has been used in shaping Christian faith, understandings and attitudes. Engage the pallets of aesthetics and function of fine art, popular art and devotional art in the church and the wider society. 2 hours. Sokolove. Fall 2010.

RA-295 Arts Practicum
Individual projects with theological focus in student's choice of medium such as paint, fabric (vestments, banners, tapestry), clay, wood, calligraphy, photography, poetry, dance, etc. Students unacquainted with dynamics of creative process in relationship to spiritual formation (art as meditation) and unacquainted with non-verbal expressions of Christian proclamation encouraged to participate. May be repeated once for credit. 1 hour. Kapikian and Artists-in-Residence. Each semester.

RA-420 Practicum in Worship Visuals
Student designs and fabricates, or designs for fabrication by others, a work of visual proclamation for student's worship setting. Frontals (table, pulpit, etc.), vestments (stoles, chasubles, etc.), processional pieces (crosses, banners, etc.), seasonal installations, bulletin covers, funeral palls, and miscellaneous imaginings are options. 1 hour. Kapikian. Each semester.

RA-421 Visual Arts Apprenticeship
Work with one of the instructor's ecclesial commissions under supervision. Participate in creative process and work through design phases from inception of idea to installation of completed product (paraments, banners, vestments and wood and fiber installations). Enrollment requires interview with instructor prior to registration. 1, 2 or 3 hours. Kapikian. Each semester.

RA-480 Chancel Drama Practicum
Hands-on development of choral presentations and dramatic scenes for performance in Wesley chapel services, community life events, and at local churches. Involves scripting, acting, and limited set design. No prerequisite required.1 hour. Davis. Each semester.

Systematic Theology (ST)

R. Kendall Soulen, Josiah Ulysses Young, III

ST-201 Orientation to Christian Theology
Introduction to the tasks and themes of Christian theology. Topics covered include the nature and goals of Christian theology, central Christian doctrines and their relevance to the practice of ministry, and an overview of contemporary approaches to theology. 2 hours. Soulen. Fall 2008.

ST-181 Philosophical Backgrounds
Introduction to the history and problems of philosophy, with special emphasis on the questions of philosophical theology and their implications for Christian theology and social practice. 3 hours. Soulen or Young. Each fall semester.

ST-210 Space, Time, and Deity: A Dialogue Between Science and Religion
An introduction to the dialogue between science and religion and their contributions to an understanding of the nature of God and the world and humanity's place in it. Focal issues: methodology, creation myths, the size of the universe, miracles, the efficacy of prayer, and the limits of life. 3 hours. Shropshire. Not offered 2007-08.

ST-211 Providence and Scientific Understanding
An exploration of issues in the dialogue between science and religion; scientific evidence for and against the modes of God's action in the creation, governance and care of all things in the cosmos. Shropshire. Fall 2007.

ST-225 The Gospel in a Consumer Culture
Exploration of the meaning and practice of Christian faith in a consumer culture.  Special attention to the emergence of modern market economies, imbalances of economic resources, and proposals from the field of systematic theology. 3 hours. Soulen. Spring 2009.

ST-229 Theologies of Resistance and Liberation: Martin Luther King Jr. and Mohandas K. Gandhi
A study of the legacies of Martin Luther King Jr. and Mohandas K. Gandhi in light of their relationships to oppressed communities and commitments to human rights. Special focus on nonviolence as a means of societal reform and a spiritual discipline. 3 hours. Clarke and Young. Spring 2009.

ST-242 The Black Theology of James Cone
A study of the writings of James Cone, with attention to the problem of hermeneutics and African-American experience. 3 hours. Young. Not offered 2006-07.

ST-245 James Baldwin as Social Critic and Theologian
A study of James Baldwin's novels and essays.  Focus on the ways in which his critique of racism involves insights derived from his formation in the Sanctified Church. 3 hours. Young. Fall 2009.

ST-291 Themes and Trajectories of Contemporary Liberation Theologies
An introduction to the context, methods, and themes of liberation theologies from various situations of oppression; analysis of similarities and differences of such movements; clues for dealing with the challenges for doing theology in a globalized world that offers and promises freedom but produces inequity. 3 hours. Clarke. Spring 2009.

ST-294  Globalization, Mission and the Church:  Ecclesiology for the 21st Century
Introduction to various models of mission-shaped Church in our contemporary world; Possibilities for re-imagining the Church of the 21st century for the advancement of God's mission in our glocal world; Special focus on ecclesiological reflections from African-American, feminist/womanist, liberationist and emerging Churches.  3 hours.  Clarke.  Fall 2007.

ST-295 The Search for a Theology of Human Rights
Historical analysis of the church's attempt to formulate a distinctively Christian response to the human rights movement in light of the major challenges to the integrity of the human family in the twentieth century. 3 hours. Mitchell. Fall 2007; Fall 2008.

ST-305 Systematic Theology I
Revelation and theological knowledge: the doctrines of God, creation, providence, human nature, person and work of Christ, the Holy Spirit, church, and eschatology. Prerequisites: BI-101 and -102, BI-171, BI-172, CH-101, CH-102. NOTE: Any undergraduate philosophy deficiency must be cleared prior to taking this course. 3 hours. Faculty. Each fall semester.

ST-306 Systematic Theology II
A continuation of Systematic Theology I. Prerequisites: ST-305. 3 hours. Faculty. Each spring semester.

ST-402 Seminar: Reformed Theology
A study of the Reformed theological tradition stemming from Zwingli and Calvin: its background, distinguished tenets, ethos and outstanding theologians. Prerequisites: CH-101, -102. 3 hours. Kirkpatrick.  Spring 2008.

ST-407 Feminist Liberation Theologies
Exploration of current feminist and womanist theologies in the First and Third Worlds. Prerequisites: ST-305 and -306 3 hours. Mitchell. Fall 2007.

ST-420 Making Christ Work for the Nations: Faces of Jesus in World Christianity
An introduction to select theories of symbolization; locating, analyzing and interpreting representations of Jesus from different parts of the world and by different human collectives; inquiry into the possibilities of utilizing diverse images of Jesus for the purpose of constructing a meaningful, satisfactory and liberative Christology. 3 hours. Clarke. Spring 2008.

ST-465  Seminar:  Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Historical development of Bonhoeffer's thought.  3 hours.  Young.  Spring 2010.

ST-466 Seminar: Karl Barth
Barth's background, theological method, main emphasis and significance. 3 hours. Soulen. Spring 2008.

ST-551 Directed Study 1 or 2 Faculty. Each semester.

World Religions, Ecumenics, Mission (WR)

Sathianathan Clarke, Rabbi Stuart Weinblatt

WR-201 World Religions as Resource for Christian Theology and Church Ministry
Developing a respectful understanding of the basic beliefs and practices of the major world religions; theological options for correlating Christian faith with religious plurality and conceptualizing ministries in pluralistic settings. 3 hours. Clarke. Fall 2008.

WR-242 Modern Judaism and its History
Turning points in the Jewish people's spiritual journey from biblical origins to the re-emergence of Jewish nationhood in Israel in the 20th century. Analysis of the contemporary varieties of Judaism as a religion and a way of life. Sponsored by The Jewish Chautauqua Society. 3 hours. Weinblatt. Spring 2010.

WR-246 Biblical Readings from a Jewish Perspective
Readings of Biblical texts from the Jewish perspective developed by the rabbis through the medium of Midrash and Talmud. Sponsored by The Jewish Chautauqua Society. 3 hours. Weinblatt. Spring 2008.

WR-248 Jewish Thought and Theology
Exploration of aspects of ancient, medieval and modern Jewish theology and philosophy. Sponsored by the Jewish Chautauqua Society. 3 hours. Weinblatt. Spring 2009.

WR-261 Islam: History and Traditions
A general orientation to Islam, its history and practice, across time and space until the present day. Introduces the basic belief system - the Muhammadan Paradigm-and the concept of law, as well as popular and divergent forms of Islam and mysticism. Examines Islamic culture: art, architecture, music, and celebrations. 3 hours.  Alwani.  Fall 2007.

WR-294 Religion, Violence and Peace: Christian Mission in the Context of Hindu, Muslim and Christian Fundamentalism
Analysis of religious fundamentalism and the internal (theological and hermeneutical traditions) and external (economic, cultural, nationalist, and globalizing trends) factors which fuel its growth; exploration of contemporary avenues for Christian mission, which both confront the violence stemming from religious fundamentalism and advance the gospel of peace with justice in our fragmented world. 2 hours. Clarke. Spring 2009.

WR-551 Directed Study  1 or 2 credits.

Doctor of Ministry Studies (DM)

Lewis A. Parks

All courses with the prefix "DM" are designed exclusively for D.Min. students. Each intensive area or "track" includes a required Project Seminar.

Campus Ministries

DM-C311 Ministry to Young Adults and Non-Traditional Students
The life issues and spiritual challenges of college students; reading the campus context for ministry; the changing roles of the campus minister. 3 hours. January 2008.

DM-C312 Give a Reason for the Hope: Campus Ministry and Apologetics
The questions, concepts, and passion for God-talk in the contemporary campus setting. 3 hours. January 2008.

DM-C321 Education for Stability and Change: Biblical Perspective
New perspectives on the wisdom literature of the Bible; the voice of the Teacher and the walk of the disciple; questions that engage and answers that require commitment; the wisdom literature as experience. 3 hours. June 2008.

DM-C322 Worship for Campus Ministers and Chaplains
Adapting the best of traditional, contemporary, and blended worship to the campus chapel. 3 hours. June 2008.

DM-C331 The Life and Vision of Howard Thurman
The life and vision of Howard Thurman with special attention to his model for bringing about social transformation. 3 hours. January 2009.

DM-C332 Moral Discernment in the Context of Pluralism
Pluralism as fact and as exaggeration; why moral discernment still matters; starting where you are, starting where they are; the role of the campus minister and of the campus ministry in the moral formation of students. 3 hours. January 2009.

DM-C341 Best Practices in Leadership and Administration for Campus Ministers
Addressing the hard issues of organizing, leading, and funding a campus ministry; leadership strategies for adapting to the challenges of a shrinking base of support; new models for reconnecting campus ministries to the local church. 3 hours. June 2009.

DM-C342 Project Seminar
Naming the project question and its context, finding the right theological component, imagining the project steps, searching for bibliography, planning to write the project paper, and making a public presentation. 3 hours. June 2009.

Wesley and the Poor

DM-W111 John Wesley and the Poor
Wesley's encounters with the poor and his lifelong commitment to intervene for the good of their bodies, minds, and souls; the early Methodist challenge to social hierarchy. 3 hours. January 2008.

DM-W112 The Church and the Poor: A Study in Social Location
Identifying "the poor" today and finding better ways for middle and upper class churches to be in ministry to and with them. 3 hours. January 2008.

DM-W121 Hearing the Voice of the Poor in the Bible
Biblical narratives in which the cries of the poor always reach God's ear but only sometimes move God's people to action. 3 hours. May 2008.                       

DM-W122 Pastoral Theology and Economic Justice
Appreciating the weight of economic inequities and the blindness of privilege, providing care and counseling that empowers rather than pacifies, receiving the witness to faith from the poor. 3 hours. May 2008.

DM-W131 St. John's Downtown, Houston, TX: A Case Study in Ministry to and with the Poor
A church revitalized by turning to the constituency camped on its doorsteps, destitute families and homeless men and women. 6 hours. January 2009.

DM-W141 Teaching the Church's Moral Tradition on Wealth
From The Letter of James to the latest denomination resolution, from calls to compassion to calls for justice, from the office of deacon to the office of lobbyist, the church wrestles with abundance, scarcity, and an equitable distribution of goods. 3 hours. May 2009.        

DM-W142 Project Seminar
Naming the project question and its context, finding the right theological component, imagining the project steps, searching for bibliography, planning to write the project paper, and making a public presentation. 3 hours. May 2009.

Church Leadership Excellence

DM-L611 Effective and Visionary Leadership
Best practices for church leaders in reading situations, facing facts, summoning vision, and shepherding the next faithful step for congregations. 3 hours. May 2007.

DM-L612 Leading God's People: Lessons from the Old Testament
Examining the biblical foundations and practices of pastoral leadership through Old Testament perspectives on human gifts and divine providence in leading God's people. 3 hours. May 2007.

DM-L621 Paul and Church Leadership
The repertoire of tools with which the apostle Paul responds to congregations in various stages of corporate crisis or development. 3 hours. January 2008.

DM-L622 Leadership in Diversity in the 21^st Century
The leadership vision, wisdom, and skills needed to shape a church that will reflect rather than lag behind the demographic realities of its ministry setting. 3 hours. January 2008.

DM-L631 The Cultural Dynamics of Leadership
Reading the corporate culture of the congregation, building social capital, introducing change, surviving conflict. 3 hours. May 2008.

DM-L632 The Art of Leadership Improvisation
Developing a repertoire of right brain leadership skills including imagination, sense of timing, discernment of patterns, intuitive moves, and playful practices. 3 hours. May 2008.

DM-L641 The Project Seminar
Naming the project question and its context, finding the right theological component, imagining the project steps, searching for bibliography, planning to write the project paper, and making a public presentation. 3 hours. January 2009.

DM-L642 The Leader as Communicator
The evidence that the ability to articulate is crucial to effective leadership, the possibilities for improvement, and the unique opportunities afforded the church leader who also occupies a pulpit. 3 hours. January 2009.

Spirituality and Story

DM-S811 Spiritual Biography and Autobiography        
The reading and analysis of several classics of spiritual autobiography written in differing genres and encompassing a wide range of Christian history. Exploring varied ways to communicate our own Christian experience and the experiences of others. 3 hours. May 2007.

DM-S812 Theology as Story              
The use of narrative in theology to provide rich possibilities for understanding and interpreting the content of faith, and to open new channels of conversation between the systematic theologian, the biblical scholar, the social scientist, and, most importantly, the lay person. 3 hours. May 2007.

DM-S821 The African American Novel as Theological Resource
The use of the novel for insight into the struggle for racial justice in the United States, largely through the works of Toni Morrison. 3 hours. January 2008.

DM-S822 Negotiating Otherness
Appropriating the stories of non-Christian faith communities and reading the Bible through the eyes of the poor and the outcast for the sake of stretching the content and contours of Christian spirituality. 3 hours. January 2008.

DM-S831 Life Story and Spiritual Practice
Exploration of the interface between life story and spiritual disciplines; how they shape one another. Includes an overview of the basic disciplines of the Christian life. 3 hours. May 2008 in Nashville.

DM-S832 A Word of Silence: Narrative, Spirituality, and Preaching
The preaching task as spiritual journey. The depth encounter with God and neighbor at the intersection of the Bible's narratives, the preacher's life, and the larger community's issues. 3 hours. May 2008 in Nashville.

DM-S841 The Project Seminar
Naming the project question and its context, finding the right theological component, imagining the project steps, searching for bibliography, planning to write the project paper, and making a public presentation. 3 hours. January 2009.

DM-S842 Narrative Collapse and Restoration: Story and Healing
A cross disciplinary study of the phenomena of the self-narratives of persons and congregations and what happens when those narratives suffer serious disruption; work in the therapies and strategies for addressing personal and corporate narrative collapse. 3 hours. January 2009.

Together: Spirituality for Transforming Community

DM-S711 Spirituality and Social Transformation
Spiritual formation and responsible Christian social action. 3 hours. May 2006.

DM-S712 Contemplative Grounding for Congregational Life and Worship
A cornucopia of ancient and contemporary spiritual disciplines introduced by the staff of the Shalem Institute. 3 hours. May 2006.

DM-S721 Listening as a Tool for Transformation of the Congregation
Recent insights from the social sciences to support the work of equipping congregations for greater effectiveness in nurture and mission. 3 hours. January 2007.

DM-S722 Howard Thurman
The life and vision of Howard Thurman with special attention to his years as the Dean of Rankin Chapel, Howard University. 3 hours. January 2007.

DM-S731 The Congregation as Family: Applications of Family Systems to Life in the Congregation
The staying power of the family systems tools for diagnosing problems and introducing lasting change into congregations. 3 hours. May 2007.

DM-S732 Exodus, Covenant, Exile: The Formation and Transformation of God's People
The church as a community of released captives, believers in community, and aliens far from home. 3 hours. May 2007.

DM-S741 Life in Communion: Trinity, Church, and World
Contemporary theologies of the Trinity as a language for exploring issues of the ministry of all Christians in the local congregation. 3 hours. January 2008.

DM-S742 The Project Seminar
Naming the project question and its context, finding the right theological component, imagining the project steps, searching for bibliography, planning to write the project paper, and making a public presentation. 3 hours. January 2008.

Preaching in the 21st Century

DM-P211 Words and The Word: Theology and Rhetoric
We will join and engage the contemporary homiletical conversation. 3 hours. May 2006.

DM-P212 Invigorating the High Holy Days
Help for those who think there is nothing new to say for Advent/Christmas or Lent/Easter. 3 hours. May 2006.

DM-P221 The Public Pulpit
A church that is to be more than one of society's conforming institutions needs preaching that is prophetic even while offered in a liturgical setting. 3 hours. January 2007.

DM-P222 Biblical Interpretation for Preaching to a New Generation
Preaching that is open to the influence of new perspectives and interpretive methods in biblical studies as well as receptive to new contexts. 3 hours. January 2007.

DM-P231 Project Seminar
Naming the project question and its context, finding the right theological component, imagining the project steps, searching for bibliography, planning to write the project paper, and making a public presentation. 3 hours. June 2007.

DM-P232 Sermon Series that Engage the Heart and the Mind
At The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection, Leawood, Kansas. Students will attend activities and worship at COR as part of this course. 3 hours. June 2007.

DM-P241 Harry Emerson Fosdick: A Case Study in the Preacher as Pastoral Care Giver
Fosdick as catalyst for contemporary attempts to exercise pastoral care from the pulpit. 3 hours. January 2008.

DM-P242 Preaching with Prophetic Imagination
An acculturated church needs more than right beliefs and noble intentions to break out. 3 hours. January 2008.

DM-P251 Preaching and Multi-Media
Participants will explore the historical, theological, aesthetic and practical elements of multi-media preaching. 3 hours. May 2008.

DM-P252 Leading through Preaching
Effective pastoral leaders view their preaching as critical to their leadership and carefully use it as a primary means of moving forward the People of God. 3 hours. May 2008.

Spiritual Leadership for the Global Church: The Asian Track

DM-G111 Mission for the Global Church
Emerging issues, new approaches, important voices from other continents, and key theological breakthroughs in the contemporary theology of mission for the global church. 3 credit hours; July 2006; Seoul, Korea.

DM-G112 New Testament  
Recent trends in New Testament scholarship, the expanded circle of global dialogue partners with attention to implications for the practice of ministry. 3 credit hours; July 2006; Seoul, Korea.

DM-G121 Pastoral Care and Counseling
In care and counseling, the pastor models the congregation's call to hospitality toward an increasingly diverse constituency in a global context. 3 credit hours; January 2007; Seoul, Korea.

DM-G122 Preaching and Worship
Theological foundations, history, and practice of Christian worship and preaching with particular attention to new resources from the global church. 3 credit hours; January 2007; Seoul, Korea.

DM-G131 Project Seminar
Planning and executing a worthy project, incorporating evaluation, identifying and including the theological component, dealing with obstacles, writing the DMin Project Paper, and preparing for a public presentation. 3 credit hours; June 2007; Washington, DC.

DM-G132 Leadership.
Best practices for church leaders in reading situations, facing facts, summoning vision, and shepherding the next step faithful step for congregations in a global context 3 credit hours; June 2007; Washington, DC.

DM-G141 Old Testament
Recent trends in Old Testament scholarship, the expanded circle of global dialogue partners with attention to implications for the practice of ministry. 3 credit hours; January 2008; Seoul, Korea.

DM-G142 Spiritual Formation
An advanced survey of the classics of the Christian contemplative traditions (Eastern and Western) and the spiritual disciplines grounded in them necessary for the formation of ministers. 3 credit hours; January 2008; Seoul, Korea.

DM-G151 Christian Formation and Discipleship
The theological foundation for making and training disciples, models from the early church to the contemporary church, new models from the global church. 3 credit hours; July 2008; Seoul, Korea.

DM-G152 Christian Ethics
Foundations of Christian theological ethics with focus on certain thinkers who are  appreciated across time and cultures: Augustine, Aquinas, Luther, Calvin and Wesley. 3 credit hours; July 2008; Seoul, Korea.

Faith and the Health of Communities

DM-H111 Dynamics of Power and Health
Introduction to the challenges and opportunities which pastors, chaplains, and other religious professionals face when they attempt to relate faith to public health issues. 3 credits. January 2007.

DM-H112 Salvation, Health and Community
The theological foundations that support care for the whole person as both an individual created in God's image and a valued member of the covenant community. Visits to NIH, Capitol Hill, the World Bank, Church Lobbies, the Church of the Saviour. 3 credits. January 2007.     

DM-H121 Biblical Faith and Human Health
The biblical anthropology that underlies the church's long history of involvement with individual and public health. 3 credits. May 2007.

DM-H122 Health as Urban Ministry
The city as an environment with incredible potential for dis-ease and for wellness. The church as agent of healing and hope. Visits to Methodist Healthcare, the National Civil Rights Museum, Church Health Center of Memphis. 3 credits. May 2007.

DM-H131 Faith, Flesh, Health Alignment 
The need for the church to form new alliances for addressing health issues from a public perspective and the religious professional as catalyst for those alliances. 3 credits. January 2008.

DM-H132 Building Religious Leadership Competencies for Serving
Developing leaders who combine vision and tenacity, cognitive and emotional intelligence, spiritual reserves and political savvy for the work of thriving at the interface of faith and public health. 3 credits. January 2008.

DM-H141  Project Seminar
Planning and executing a worthy project, building in evaluation, identifying and including the theological component, dealing with obstacles, writing the DMin Project Paper, and preparing for a public presentation.   3 credits. May 2008.

DM-H142 Religion as an Asset for Health: The Social Science Perspective
The traditional tension between religious faith and the social sciences. Recent models for a more cooperative and constructive approach. 3 credits. May 2008.

Pastoral Theology, Care, and Counseling

Students in this program will select one of two possible tracks for clinical training:

• Pastoral Counseling: In this track students will be required to complete 400 clinical hours in an AAPC (American Association of Pastoral Counseling) affiliated or accredited center. Normally, these client hours as well as additional supervisory and case conference meetings will occur over a period of two years.
• Clinical Pastoral Education: In this track students will be required to complete two units of ACPE (Association for Clinical Pastoral Education) recognized CPE from the time of entering the DMin program. These may be full time or extended units of CPE.

DM-P111 Foundations and New Directions in Pastoral Theology and Practice
An overview of current theory and best practices with a strong emphasis on biblical and theological foundations. 3 credits. January 2006

DM-P112 Assessment, Diagnosis, and Psychopathology
Tools for intervention when holiness and wholeness become disconnected. 3 credits. January 2006.

DM-P121 Theological Foundations for Pastoral Care and Counseling
A conversation with classical, modern, liberation, and post-modern theologians about contemporary pastoral practices. 3 credits. May 2006.

DM-P122 Intercultural Pastoral Care and Counseling
The pastor models in care and counseling the congregation's call to hospitality toward an increasingly diverse constituency. 3 credits. May 2006.

DM-P131 The Bible as Source for Pastoral Care and Counseling
The canonical scriptures as wellspring of stories, wisdom, and faith stewarded with hermeneutical integrity. 3 credits. January 2007. 

DM-P132 Ethnography and Transformation of Congregations
Active listening as a tool for assessing the congregation's story, strengths, and adaptive issues; pastoral leadership and care that is "in touch." 3 credits. January 2007. 

DM-P141 The Care and Counseling of Couples and Families
Vision and support for personal relationships of theological significance, adapting to environments more or less supportive. 3 credits. May 2007.

DM-P142 The Project Seminar
Planning and executing a worthy project, incorporating evaluation, identifying and including the theological component, dealing with obstacles, writing the DMin Project Paper, and preparing for a public presentation. 3 credits. May 2007.

DM-P151 and DM-P152 Clinical Training
Four hundred clinical hours in an AAPC affiliated or accredited center, or two units of ACPE recognized CPE. 6 credits. September 2006-May 2008.

Church Leadership Excellence

DM-L411 Effective and Visionary Leadership
Best practices for church leaders in reading situations, facing facts, summoning vision, and shepherding the next faithful step for congregations. 3 hours. May 2005.

DM-L412 The Many Faces of Leadership in the Hebrew Bible
Men and women, young and old, rich and poor, insiders and outsiders, obvious candidates, complete surprises: the parade of leaders in the Hebrew Bible. 3 hours. May 2005.

DM-L421 Leadership Diversity in the 21st Century
Theological and socio-cultural analysis of leadership in diverse ministry settings. Contemporary church and social concerns such as racism, sexism, heterosexism, ableism, ageism, ethnocentrism, classism and other forms of diversity and "difference." 3 Hours. January 2006.

DM-L422 Paul: A Case Study in Church Leadership
The church leadership practices of the Apostle Paul as captured in Acts, Romans, and 1 & 2 Corinthians. 3 hours. January 2006.

DM-L431 Contemporary Issues and Best Practices in Church Leadership
The staff of the G. Douglass Lewis Center for Church Leadership and guests of national reputation address timely subjects of church leadership; major themes vary according to the needs of each specific D.Min. track. 3 hours. May 2006.

DM-L432 Leading a Community of Moral Formation
Moral challenges in the practice of ministry: confidentiality, maintenance of appropriate boundaries, use of pastoral power. Concentration on ways for pastors to be nurtured and sustained for faithful ministry to those in their care. 3 Hours. January 2004.

DM-L441 Project Seminar
Planning and executing a worthy project, incorporating evaluation, identifying and including the theological component, dealing with obstacles, writing the DMin Project Paper, and preparing for a public presentation. 3 Hours. May 2004.

DM-L442 Creativity and Play for Church Leaders
A serious look at the process of creativity and the disciplines that flow from it for the sake of effectiveness, durability, and zest in ministry. 3 hours. January 2007.