In-Person if the course requires attendance at a specific location and time for some or all course activities. These courses will have section codes starting in 0 or 4.
Online – Asynchronous if the course has no requirement for attendance at a specific time or location for any activities or exams. These courses will have the section code starting with 61.
Online – Synchronous if online attendance is expected at a specific time for some or all course activities, and attendance at a specific location is not expected for any activities or exams. These courses will have the section code starting with 62.
Hybrid if the course requires attendance at a specific location and time, however 33-66% of the course is delivered online. If online attendance is expected at a specific time, it will be in place of the in person attendance. These courses will have the section code starting with 31.
Some courses may offer more than one delivery method please ensure that you have the correct section code when registering via ACORN. You will not be permitted to switch delivery method after the last date to add a course for the given semester.
Some of the most debated topics in contemporary Islam revolve around the notion of gender and women's rights. This course is a historical and topical survey of the role of women and gender in the Islamic faith tradition. The first half of the course will review the history of women in Islamic societies, while the second will address some of the most prominent issues in contemporary discourses. Topics will include marriage, divorce, veiling, segregation, leadership, Islamic feminism and hermeneutics.
This course will introduce students to three dimensions of hospitality, with the aim of having students construct their own theology of radical hospitality. The phenomenon of hospitality: something of its history, theology, and practice in the Christian tradition. The concept of hospitality: attending to some of the 20th century philosophical reflections on the theme. The concrete practice of hospitality as it is described by guest lecturers and experienced in a pre-arranged hospitality practicum. Sessions will alternate between guest lectures and seminar-style discussions.
This course will introduce students to three dimensions of hospitality, with the aim of having students construct their own theology of radical hospitality. The phenomenon of hospitality: something of its history, theology, and practice in the Christian tradition. The concept of hospitality: attending to some of the 20th century philosophical reflections on the theme. The concrete practice of hospitality as it is described by guest lecturers and experienced in a pre-arranged hospitality practicum. Sessions will alternate between guest lectures and seminar-style discussions.
This course will introduce students to three dimensions of hospitality, with the aim of having students construct their own theology of radical hospitality. The phenomenon of hospitality: something of its history, theology, and practice in the Christian tradition. The concept of hospitality: attending to some of the 20th century philosophical reflections on the theme. The concrete practice of hospitality as it is described by guest lecturers and experienced in a pre-arranged hospitality practicum. Sessions will alternate between guest lectures and seminar-style discussions. Students will participate in, and write a reflection paper on, a hospitality practicum, review one contemporary theology of hospitality, and write one research paper.
This course will introduce students to three dimensions of hospitality, with the aim of having students construct their own theology of radical hospitality.
The phenomenon of hospitality: something of its history, theology, and practice in the Christian tradition.
The concept of hospitality: attending to some of the 20th century philosophical reflections on the theme.
The concrete practice of hospitality as it is described by guest lecturers and experienced in a pre-arranged hospitality practicum.
Sessions will alternate between guest lectures and seminar-style discussions. Students will participate in, and write a reflection paper on, a hospitality practicum, review one contemporary theology of hospitality, and write one research paper.
The Bible and the Qur'an share many stories with common characters, such as Adam, Abraham, and Saul. Although there is some overlapping between the Bible and Quranic accounts, they demonstrate profound differences, which scholars have read in diverse ways across the ages. This course will explore the various ways this nexus has been treated in both western and traditional Muslim scholarship and how developments in literary theory can shed light on how the relationship between the texts is read. Seminars, short lectures, readings. Reflection/reading response papers:45%; Class participation: 10%
The main goal of this course is to strengthen student ability to carry out graduate-level studies and research in theology. This will be accomplished through the acquisition of methodological and other skills for the planning, development and finalization of graduate-level academic requirements (essays, book reports, exams), and familiarization with the range of resources, both written and digital (databases and internet), for theological studies, including dogmatic/systematic theology, history, patristics, spirituality, hagiography, Biblical studies and liturgy. The course will assist students in developing a proposal for thesis research and publishable-quality academic writing.
The main goal of this course is to strengthen student ability to carry out graduate-level studies and research in theology. This will be accomplished through the acquisition of methodological and other skills for the planning, development and finalization of graduate-level academic requirements (essays, book reports, exams), and familiarization with the range of resources, both written and digital (databases and internet), for theological studies, including dogmatic/systematic theology, history, patristics, spirituality, hagiography, Biblical studies and liturgy. The course will assist students in developing a proposal for thesis research and publishable-quality academic writing.
The main goal of this course is to strengthen student ability to carry out graduate-level studies and research in theology. This will be accomplished through the acquisition of methodological and other skills for the planning, development and finalization of graduate-level academic requirements (essays, book reports, exams), and familiarization with the range of resources, both written and digital (databases and internet), for theological studies, including dogmatic/systematic theology, history, patristics, spirituality, hagiography, Biblical studies and liturgy. The course will assist students in developing a proposal for thesis research and publishable-quality academic writing.
The main goal of this course is to strengthen student ability to carry out graduate-level studies and research in theology. This will be accomplished through the acquisition of methodological and other skills for the planning, development and finalization of graduate-level academic requirements (essays, book reports, exams), and familiarization with the range of resources, both written and digital (databases and internet), for theological studies, including dogmatic/systematic theology, history, patristics, spirituality, hagiography, Biblical studies and liturgy. The course will assist students in developing a proposal for thesis research and publishable-quality academic writing.
Nowhere are the problematic aspects of the biblical text so evident as when it is examined from the point of view of the situations and needs of children. On the one hand, the Bible is seen as the repository of truth and tradition, while on the other, much of its content can seem uselessly complex, morally questionable, or downright dangerous. By examining a number of key biblical passages as case studies, as well as a number of background readings from recent research in child development, children's spirituality, and children's liberation, this course will explore these problematic aspects of the Bible, as well as offer some practical suggestions for responding. Students will have opportunities to raise critical questions and develop their own stance with regard to the biblical text
It is often said that what is learned in seminary bible classes rarely reaches the pews; when difficult topics arise- e.g., what basis does the Christmas or Easter story have in history? - ministers often deflect the questions or appeal to a vague notion of mystery. This course aims to prepare ministers to have these difficult conversations through recent scholarship on the empty tomb. In the past several centuries, traditional Christian claims about the bodily resurrection of Jesus have been subject to great scrutiny. This has led to a number of competing proposals: the resurrection was "spiritual" and not corporeal, that the body of Jesus was stolen, that traditional claims are still viable, among many others. Likewise, how does one consider the virgin birth or narratives where Jesus disrupts the laws of nature? How might one navigate these claims for one's own theological position or articulate these complex - but crucial - issues to one's congregation? This class will not promote any particular explanation of the empty tomb, but will provide students with the tools to articulate their own understanding of what happened at the empty tomb and argue concisely why they believe that to be the case. It will also prepare them to discuss difficult issues about historicity with their congregation or other laity. Consequently, during course discussions we will extend our analyses to similarly difficult texts (e.g., virgin birth, miracles).