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 2011. 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.

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.
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

BI ‑ Biblical Interpretation

Hebrew Scripture
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.
2.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 D. Dombkowski Hopkins
Fall 2009 D. Dombkowski Hopkins
Fall 2009 D. Hopkins
Fall 2010 D. Dombkowski Hopkins

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
2.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 D. Dombkowski Hopkins
Spring 2010 D. Dombkowski Hopkins
Spring 2010 D. Hopkins
Spring 2011 D. Dombkowski Hopkins

BI‑105 Introduction to Hebrew Bible
Same as BI‑101 and BI‑102.
4.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 B. Birch

BI‑208 Prophets & Profits: the Hebrew Bible and Economics
Economic issues in the life of Ancient Israel and economic perspectives on the texts of the Hebrew Bible.
3.00 credit hours
Spring 2010 D. Hopkins

BI‑211 Biblical Hebrew I
Grammar and vocabulary for beginners.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 D. Hopkins
Fall 2010 D. Dombkowski Hopkins

BI‑212 Biblical Hebrew II
Continuation of BI‑211.
3.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 D. Hopkins
Spring 2011 D. Dombkowski Hopkins

Old Testament Exegesis
English texts, with attention to literary and interpretive features, methods, and theological issues.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: Introduction to Hebrew Bible

BI‑416 Job Spring 2009 B. Birch
BI‑417 Psalms Spring 2010 D. Dombkowski Hopkins
BI‑418 Jeremiah Fall 2008 D. Dombkowski Hopkins

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.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: Introduction to Hebrew Bible
Spring 2009 D. Dombkowski Hopkins

BI‑481 Intermediate Hebrew
Hebrew readings in prose and poetry with stress on method.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: Biblical Hebrew
Fall 2009

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.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: Introduction to Hebrew Bible
Fall 2009 D. Dombkowski Hopkins and M. Koppel

New Testament
Craig C. Hill, Sharon H. Ringe, Carla Works

BI‑171 Introduction to 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.
2.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 S. Ringe
Fall 2009 C. Works
Fall 2010 S. Ringe

BI‑172 Introduction to New Testament: Epistles
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.
2.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 S. Ringe
Spring 2010 C. Works
Spring 2011 S. Ringe

BI‑175 Introduction to New Testament: Gospels and Epistles
Origins, critical methods, outstanding theological ideas of selected portions. Same as BI‑171 and BI‑172.
4.00 credit hours
Fall 2009 S. Ringe

BI‑261 New Testament Greek I
Grammar, vocabulary, and thought forms.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2009 Faculty

BI‑262 New Testament Greek II
A continuation of New Testament Greek I.
3.00 credit hours
Spring 2010 Faculty

New Testament Exegesis
Readings in English with attention to method and theological ideas.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: Introduction to New Testament: Gospels and Epistles

BI‑441 Matthew Fall 2008 Faculty
BI‑442 Mark Spring 2011 S. Ringe
BI‑444 John Fall 2009 S. Ringe
BI‑449 1 & 2 Corinthians Spring 2009 C. Works

BI‑483 Greek Exegesis
Readings with attention to method and theological ideas.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: New Testament Greek
Fall 2008 Faculty
Fall 2010 S. Ringe

General Bible

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.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: Introduction to Hebrew Bible and Introduction to New Testament: Gospels and Epistles
Each semester Faculty

BI‑426 Hebrew Bible and the Arts
An exploration of Old Testament themes and their use in the visual, literary, and musical arts.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: Introduction to Hebrew Bible
Spring 2011 B. Birch and D. Sokolove

BI‑428 The Social and Material World of 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.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: Introduction to Hebrew Bible
Spring 2009 D. Hopkins

CF ‑ Christian Teaching & Formation

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.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 S. 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.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2009 S. Willhauck

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.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 J. Duckworth

CF‑141 Leading Formation in Congregations
An exploration of how an emphasis on Christian faith practices ‑ including justice, forgiveness, prayer and hospitality ‑ can serve as organizing principle for congregational life and administration. Special attention given to methods of teaching, sharing, and facilitating faith practices in all aspects of congregational ministry, and the ways in which an emphasis on Christian faith practices impacts the structure and administration of congregational ministry itself.
3.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 J. Duckworth

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.
3.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 A. Thomas

CF-202 Spiritual Disciplines
An examination of such disciplines as prayer, study, silence, Sabbath, solitude, care of body, meditation, contemplation, spiritual direction , and service in order to develop a rule for one's spiritual life.
3 credit hours
Not offered 2008-09

CF‑230 Christian Education and the Black Experience
Encountering Christian education in the African American community that seeks to transform lives and communities in accordance with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Focus on Christian religious education that addresses current social and spiritual issues plaguing America as a whole, but is decimating the African American community in particular.
3.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 F. Smith

CF‑239 Children and Poverty
An investigation into the nature of poverty in the U.S. and the world and how it particularly affect s children. Explores theological and biblical insights into the issue of children and poverty and t he church's response.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 F. Smith

CF‑240 Youth Minisry: 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.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 S. Gallaher

CF‑252 Becoming a Confirming Congregation: History and Practice of Confirmation Ministry
Examination of history and practice of confirmation, its origin, its transformation and various theological traditions, including a cultural, sociological and developmental analysis of ministry with young people.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 J. Duckworth

CF‑253 Pop Culture and Christian Formation
Examination of the tension between cultural and theological aims of Christian Formation and the relationship between culture and adolescents through engagement in practical theological reflection on sociological, anthropological, and economic models of popular culture.
3.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 J. Duckworth

CF‑295 History and Ministry of the Deacon
Survey of the ministry of the Deacon and Lay Minister from the beginning of the church to the pre sent.
2.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 S. Willhauck
Spring 2011 S. Willhauck

CF‑401 Teaching Ministry Practicum
Exploration of the pastor as teacher, teaching models, lesson planning, adult learning and cultural contexts of teaching. Practice in teaching various subject matter in several contexts.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: Introduction to Hebrew Bible and Introduction to New Testament
Spring 2009 S. Willhauck

Proposed courses
Title and description pending faculty approval.

• Emerging Trends in Youth Ministry Spring 2009 D. Baker
• Campus Ministry Elective Spring 2009 M. Frazier
• Prophetic Christian Education Spring 2011 F. Smith

CH ‑ History of Christianity

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.
3.00 credit hours
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.
3.00 credit hours
Each spring semester

CH-205 Baptist History
Historical origins and basic theological perspectives in Baptist traditions
3 credit hours
Not offered 2008-09

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

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.
3.00 credit hours
Spring 2010 B. Mitchell

CH‑225 Readings: Early African Writers
Africa is the seedbed of early Christianity and warrents focused attention that students cannot pursue in the survey course. Examine key writers in African context such as Origen, desert fathers/mothers, Tertullian, Perpetua, Cyprian, Lactantius, Pachomius, Agustine. Companion to the 2 hour "Early Christian Communities."
1.00 credit hour
Prereq: The Church in History: Early Church to Reformation or Reformation to Present
Spring 2009 A. Oden

CH‑240 Reformation Theology: Luther, Calvin, Zwingli
Focus on the theology of key figures in the Protestant Reformation.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 B. Mitchell

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.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: CH‑101 or CH‑102
Spring 2009 A. Oden
Spring 2011 A. Oden

CH‑402 Hospitality: Welcoming the Stranger American Tradition
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.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: CH‑101 or CH‑102
Spring 2010 A. Oden

CH‑422 Historical Theology: Doctrines of Sin And Salvation
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.
3.00 credit hours
Spring 2010 A. Oden

CH‑451 A Historical/Theological Introduction to the Pentecostal and Charismatic Movement
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.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: CH‑102
Fall 2008 D. Faupel
Spring 2010 D. Faupel

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.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: CH‑101 or CH‑102
Spring 2009 A. Oden
Spring 2011 A. Oden

Proposed Courses
Title and description pending faculty approval.

• Charles Wesley Spring 2010 R. Soulen

CM ‑ Congregational Life & Ministry

CM‑116 Leadership in African American Churches
1.00 credit hour
Fall 2008 J. Daniels

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.
2.00 credit hours
Each fall semester L.Weems

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.
2.00 credit hours
Each spring semester L. Parks

CM‑137 Church Finances
Biblical and theological context, findings about giving in the church, planning a year's financial stewardship program including stewardship education, planning for ministry budgets, funding the ministry, proper financial administration of the funds, and expressing thanks.
1.00 credit hour
Spring 2009 L. Weems

CM‑143 Congregational Discernment & Planning
Biblical, theological, and secular leadership resources for leading a congregation through the process of discernment and planning.
1.00 credit hour
Spring 2009 L. Parks

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.
2.00 credit hours
Each fall semester Y. Hardman‑Cromwell

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.
2.00 credit hours
Each fall semester J. Conte

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.
3.00 credit hours
Each fall semester F. Smith

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.
3.00 credit hours
Each spring semester F. Smith

CM‑235 Issues of Faith and Health in the Urban Setting
Examine health disparities and accessibility issues in urban and minority communities. Explore systems theories of community change and collaboration between faith‑based and public health organizations. Develop skills of leadership on the boundaries between faith and health organizations and in building faith and health coalitions. Examine best practice models in health ministries, parish nursing, and community coalitions.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2009 F. Smith

CM‑240 Leadership Across Time and Culture
A reading course in the literature of leadership from ancient to recent "classics"; theological reflection on the writings applicable to contemporary practices of church leadership. Pass/fail only.
1.00 credit hour
Fall 2009 L. Parks

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)).
2.00 credit hours
Each fall semester L. Parks

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.
2.00 credit hours
Fall 2009 Faculty

CM‑255 Baptist Polity
Historical origins and basic theological perspectives in Baptist traditions; study of present polity, organization, and program of Baptist congregations.
2.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 J. Smith

CM‑256 Polity of the Unitarian Universalist Church
Study of present polity, organization, and program of Unitarian Universalist congregations.
2.00 credit hours
Spring 2009

CM‑257 Polity of the African Methodist Episcopal Church
Study of present polity, organization, and program of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
2.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 A. Byrd

CM‑270 Missional Evangelism
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.
2.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 S. Kisker
Spring 2010 S. Kisker

CM-271 Evangelism in the Wesleyan/Methodist Tradition
Wesley's theological 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 credit hours
Not offered 2008-09

CM‑315 Conflict Resolution
Skill building in listening, responding, asserting self, problem solving, and dealing with conflict. Intentionality and skill building in the resolution of difference and conflict resolution in various church outcomes as the result of the management of difference and conflict resolution in various church setting. Intentionality about the role of emotions in group setting. Detail the difference between and implication of IQ and EQ (Emotional Quotient).
1.00 credit hour
Fall 2008 G. Miller

Proposed Courses
Course title and description pending faculty approval

• Small Church in Imagination Spring 2010 L. Parks
• Minister Across Time & Culture Fall 2010 L. Parks
• Central City Urban Ministry Fall 2010 F. Smith
• Models for Congregational
• Discernment and Planning Spring 2011 L. Parks
• Beginning Ministry in New Setting Spring 2011 L. Weems

ES ‑ Christian Ethics/Sociology

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.
2.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 S. Wheeler

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.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2009 S. Casey

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.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2009 S. Wheeler

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

ES‑237 Public Theology for Congregations
An examination of theological and historical strategies for congregational engagement with public life.
2.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 S. Casey

ES‑243 Readings in Religion and Presidential Politics
An examination of the new literature on the role of religion in American presidential politics.
1.00 credit hour
Fall 2008 S. Casey

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.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 J. Shopshire
Fall 2010 J. Shopshire

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.
3.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 J. Daniels

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: 2008-Gentrification and Justice in the Inner Urban Context, 2010-The Urban Environment and Ministries of the Church
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 J. Shopshire
Fall 2010 J. Shopshire

ES‑270 Urban Ministry Action
Topical issues in urban ministry. Topics: 2009‑Ministry and the Criminal Justice System, Housing Ministry, Personal to Structural Dimensions.
3.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 J. Shopshire
Spring 2011 J. Shopshire

ES‑302 Ethical Dimension 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).
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: Introduction to Hebrew Bible, Introduction to New Testament and The Church in History
Fall 2008 S. Wheeler

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.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: Introduction to Hebrew Bible, Introduction to New Testament, and The Church in History
Fall 2009 S. Wheeler

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.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: Introduction to Hebrew Bible, Introduction to New Testament, and The Church in History
Spring 2009 S. Wheeler

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.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: Introduction to Hebrew Bible, Introduction to New Testament, and The Church in History
Fall 2008 S. Casey
Spring 2011 S. Wheeler

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.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 S. Wheeler

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: 2007‑Social Change Movements; 2008‑Black Churches as Financial Institutions in a Global Economy.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: ES‑251 or permission of instructor
Spring 2009 J. Shopshire
Spring 2011 J. Shopshire

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.
4.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 S. Casey
Spring 2010 S. Casey

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.
3.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 S. Casey
Spring 2010 S. Casey

ES‑497 NCSS 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.
3.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 S. Casey
Spring 2010 S. Casey

Proposed Courses
Title and description pending faculty approval.

• Introduction to Christian Ethics Fall 2009 S. Casey
• Moral Arguments Spring 2011 S. Wheeler

IS ‑ Integrated Theological Studies

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.
1.00 credit hour
Fall 2008 A. Davis

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.
2.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 K. Hepler

IS‑250 Dialogue Practicum
Teaches students skills to help them engage in effective, meaningful dialogue with others whose socio‑political and theological views may be quite different from their own. Focus is on active listening, equality, respect, examining assumptions in a safe non‑judgmental way, and moving towards mutual understanding.
1.00 credit hour
Fall 2008 S. Casey

IS‑301 Master of Theological Studies Paper
A cumulative paper for students in the Master of Theological Studies degree program which may focus on a problem requiring in‑depth research in a particular discipline area or may serve broadly to integrate learning over the course of the degree. See academic calendar for proposal and submission deadlines.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 K. Soulen

MM ‑ Practice in Ministry & 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.
2.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 S. Kisker and A. Thomas
Fall 2009 S. Kisker

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. A two‑semester course for all M.Div. and M.A. students, to be taken during first year of studies. Graded Pass/Fail only.
1.00 credit hour
Prereq: MM‑101Spring 2009 S. Kisker and A. Thomas
Spring 2010 S. Kisker

MM‑301 PMM: Master of Arts Colloquy I
Two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring). Placement in a learning setting arranged through the PMM office151is required by May 1 of the prior year. Pass/Fail only.
2.00 credit hours
Prerequisites: MM‑101 AND MM‑102
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 office151is required by May 1 of the prior year. Pass/Fail only.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: MM‑301
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 office151is required by May 1 of the prior year.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: MM‑101, MM‑102 and 30 hours of study
Each fall semester

MM‑312 PMM: Practice in Ministry and Mission Colloquy II
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 office151is required by May 1 of the prior year.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: MM‑311
Each spring semester

MM‑313 PMM: Practice in Ministry and Mission Colloquy II
Pass/Fail only. Two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring) following completion of MM‑311 and MM‑312.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: MM‑312
Each fall semester

MM‑314 PMM: Practice in Ministry and Mission Colloquy II
Pass/Fail only. Two consecutive semesters (Fall/Spring) following completion of MM‑311 and MM‑312.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: MM‑313
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.
1.50 credit hours
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.
1.50 credit hours
Prereq: MM‑321
Each spring semester

MM‑323 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.
1.50 credit hours
Prereq: MM‑322
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.
1.50 credit hours
Prereq: MM‑323
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.
1.00 credit hour
Prereq: MM‑324
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.
1.00 credit hour
Prereq: MM‑325
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.
4.00 credit 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.
4.00 credit hours
Prereq: MM‑331
Each spring semester

MM‑350 PMM: Intercultural Immersion
Participation in an immersion experience in a cross‑cultural context, either internationally or in the United States.
2.00 credit hours
Each semester J. Tortorici

NC ‑ Non Credit

NC‑112 Foundations for Writing for International Students I
Practicum in English writing skills for speakers of other languages.
0.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 K. Hepler

PC ‑ Pastoral Care & Counseling

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.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 G. Miller
Fall 2008 M. Moschella
Spring 2009 G. Miller
Fall 2009 M. Koppel
Spring 2010 M. Koppel
Fall 2010 M. Moschella

PC‑111 Pastoral Care 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.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 M. Koppel
Spring 2009 M. Moschella
Fall 2009 M. Moschella
Spring 2010 M. Moschella
Fall 2010 M. Koppel
Spring 2011 M. Koppel

PC‑222 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.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 S. Clarke
Fall 2008 M. Moschella

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.
2.00 credit hours
Fall 2010 M. Koppel

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.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2010 B. Mitchell and M. Moschella

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.
2.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 M. Moschella

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.
2.00 credit hours
Fall 2009 M. Moschella

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.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: PC‑275
Spring 2010 M. Moschella

PC‑402 Cross Cultural Pastoral Care
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.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: PC‑101 or PC‑111
Spring 2011 M. Koppel

PC‑404 Death, Dying and Bereavement
Pastoral care with dying and grieving persons.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: PC‑101 or PC‑111
Spring 2010 M. Koppel

PC‑407 Creative Play in Pastoral Ministry
Pastoral theological reflection on the nature and source of creativity as well as its contribution to the practice of ministry, including pastoral car e, counseling, and education.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: PC‑101 or PC‑111
Fall 2008 M. Koppel

PC‑491 Clinical Pastoral Education 0.5 Unit
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.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: PC‑101 or PC‑111
Each semester

PC‑493 Clinical Pastoral Education 1.0 Unit
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.
6.00 credit hours
Prereq: PC‑101 or PC‑111
Each semester

PW ‑ Preaching and Worship

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.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 D. Sokolove
Fall 2009 Faculty
Spring 2010 Faculty

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.
2.00 credit hours
Each semester R. Kisker

PW‑211 Readings: Women Preachers
Examination of writings and sermons throughout the history of Christianity.
1.00 credit hour
Fall 2009 L. Hogan

PW‑251 Worship Today
Theoretical and practical examination of significant changes occuring in the worship and preaching of many congregations.
3.00 credit hours
Spring 2011 L. Hogan

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.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: PW‑101
Each semester Faculty

PW‑325 Foundations of Preaching
Purpose and practice of preaching. Homiletical theory and method
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: Introduction to Hebrew Bible and Introduction to New Testament
Each semester Faculty

PW‑334 Preaching Practicum: Preaching for Contemporary Worship
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.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: PW‑325
Spring 2009 A. Lunt

PW‑335 Preaching Practicum: Preaching The Lectionary
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.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: PW‑325
Fall 2009 L. Hogan
Fall 2010 L. Hogan

PW‑336 Preaching Practicum: Preaching the Season
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.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: PW‑325
Fall 2008 L. Hogan
Spring 2010 L. Hogan

PW‑337 Preaching Practicum: Situational Preaching
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.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: PW‑325
Fall 2008 L. Hogan
Fall 2010 L. Hogan

PW‑338 Preaching Practicum: Themes of Preaching
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.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: PW‑325
Fall 2009 L. Hogan

PW‑339 Preaching Practicum: the New Stained Glass
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.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: PW‑325
Spring 2009 L. Hogan

PW‑340 Preaching Practicum 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.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: PW‑325
Spring 2009 A. McCullough

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.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: PW‑325
Fall 2008 W. McClain

PW‑372 Biblical Preaching
Preparation and delivery of biblical sermons.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: PW‑325
Spring 2009 W. McClain

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.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: PW‑325
Spring 2009 W. McClain

RA ‑ Religion and the Arts

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.
2.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 D. Sokolove

RA‑120 Symbol, Sacrament, Ritual and Art
Uses of art and artistic performance in ritual, symbolic acts, sacraments. Uses of symbol, ritual, and sacramental reference in artistic production. The idea of art as a means of encounter with the divine, and the ways that art may be used in worship to facilitate that encounter.
2.00 credit hours
Spring 2010 D. Sokolove

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.
1.00 credit hour
Each semester E. Guenther

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.
2.00 credit hours
Spring 2011 E. Guenther

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.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2009 E. Guenther

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.
2.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 E. Guenther
Fall 2010 E. Guenther

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.
2.00 credit hours
Spring 2010 E. Guenther

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.
3.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 K. Staudt

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.
2.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 C. Kapikian

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.
2.00 credit hours
Each fall semester D. Davis

RA‑189 Writing for Drama in Worship
Playwriting techniques for short dramas from biblical/theological texts designed for worship.
2.00 credit hours
Spring 2011 D. Davis

RA‑190 Religious Themes in Drama
Examination of religious themes in drama from medieval morality plays to contemporary theater, including interfaith relations and non‑Western traditions. Text‑based course includes some scene work and attending a professional play.
2.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 D. Davis

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.
2.00 credit hours
Fall 2010 D. Sokolove

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.
2.00 credit hours
Fall 2009 D. Sokolove

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. Pass/fail only.
1.00 credit hour
Each semester Artists-in-Residence

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.
1.00 credit hour
Fall 2008 C. Kapikian

RA‑451 Visual Arts Apprenticeship
Work on 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. See instructor regarding description of current com missions and permission for apprenticing.
1.00 credit hour
Fall 2008 C. Kapikian

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.
1.00 credit hour
Each semester D. Davis

Proposed Courses
Title and description pending faculty approval.

• Music and Social Justice Spring 2009 E. Guenther
• Drama Poetry T.S. Eliot Spring 2010 D. Davis
• Music of Taize and Iona Fall 2010 E. Guenther
• Music and Social Justice Spring 2011 E. Guenther

ST ‑ Systematic Theology

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.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 J. Young
Fall 2009 K. Soulen
Fall 2010 J. Young

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.
2.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 K. Soulen

ST‑225 The Gospel and 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.
3.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 K. Soulen

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.
3.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 S. Clarke
Spring 2009 J. Young

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.
3.00 credit hours
Spring 2011 J. Young

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
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2009 J. Young

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.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2010 S. Clarke

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.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2009 B. Mitchell

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.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: Introduction to Hebrew Bible, Introduction to New Testament, and The Church in History
Fall 2008 K. Soulen
Fall 2008 J. Young
Fall 2009 K. Soulen
Fall 2009 J. Young
Fall 2010 B. Mitchell
Fall 2010 J. Young

ST‑306 Systematic Theology II
Revelation and theological knowledge: the doctrines of God, creation, providence, human nature, person and work of Christ, the Holy Spirit, church, and eschatology.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: ST‑305
Spring 2009 K. Soulen
Spring 2009 J. Young
Spring 2010 K. Soulen
Spring 2010 J. Young
Spring 2011 B. Mitchell
Spring 2011 J. Young

ST‑460 History and Doctrine of Methodist Traditions I
Life and thought of John Wesley, early English Methodism, American Methodism to the present covering both historical and theological development. History and doctrine of Black Methodists, the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the formation of The United Methodist Church. Attention also given to the development of indigenous theologies in various cultures.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: CH‑101 and CH‑102
Fall 2008 S. Kisker
Fall 2009 S. Kisker

ST‑461 History and Doctrine of Methodist Traditions II
A continuation of ST‑460.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: ST‑460
Spring 2009 S. Kisker
Spring 2010 S. Kisker

ST‑465 Seminar: Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Historical development of Bonhoeffer's thought.
3.00 credit hours
Prereq: ST‑305 and ST‑306
Spring 2010 J. Young

ST‑485 Contemporary Issues in Science and Religion
Introduction to the dialogue between science and religion; exploration of resources for pastors and congregations; discussion of existing scholarship, future directions, and dialogue issues such as evolution, the environment, and cosmology.
2.00 credit hours
Prereq: Introduction to Hebrew Bible, Introduction to New Testament, or The Church in History
Fall 2008 C. Bertka

Proposed Courses
Title and description pending faculty approval.

• Jesus in African American Christianity Fall 2009 B. Mitchell

WR ‑ World Religions/Ecumenics

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.
3.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 S. Clarke

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

WR‑260 Modern Islam and Its History
Advanced study of the history of Islam from Muhammad's birth to the present with focus on the modern period. Emphasis given to factual material and interpretation of beliefs and practices.
2.00 credit hours
Fall 2008 Z. Alwani
Fall 2010 Z. Alwani

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 Paradigm151and the concept of law, as well as popular and divergent forms of Islam and mysticism. Examines Islamic culture: art, architecture, music, and celebrations.
2.00 credit hours
Fall 2009 Z. Alwani

WR‑277 Introduction to Ecumenism
A study of the history of the ecumenical movement, in depth review of selected bilateral ecumenical dialogues, an overview of current ecumenical activity and trends, and visions for the future of ecumenism.
3.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 J. Conte
Spring 2011 J. Conte

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.
2.00 credit hours
Spring 2009 S. Clarke
Fall 2010 S. Clarke

DM - Doctor of Ministry

DM-A311 Spirituality and Creativity
The phenomena of creativity; the mixed story of the church's relating to the arts; creativity as a theological theme; best practices of theologizing through the arts. 3 hours. January 2009.

DM-A312 Tools for Drama in Ministry
Equipping the congregation to experience and to proclaim the written word of the Scriptures through the arts of rhetoric, mime, and drama. 3 hours. January 2009.

DM-A321 Theological Aesthetics
God, truth, and beauty as perceived in the senses and imagination through the arts such as painting, poetry, music, and architecture. 3 hours. May 2009.

DM-A322 Art as Worship, Worship as Art
Worship as metaphor and stage for artistic gifts offered "to the glory of God." 3 hours. May 2009.

DM-A331 Architecture of the Western Church
The ordering of space and furniture as an expression of faith, from the house churches of the New Testament to the auditoriums of contemporary mega churches. 3 hours. January 2010.

DM-A332 Jazz Tradition
The appreciation of jazz through a theology of spontaneity and improvisation; jazz as self-expression and as social protest models of the use of jazz in the contemporary church. 3 hours. January 2010.

DM-A341 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 2010.

DM-A342 The Arts in the Bible
An experiential survey of some of the art forms prevalent in the Bible such as song, dance, poetry, pottery, and weaving. 3 hours. May 2010.

Practical Theology for Pastors, Chaplains, and Clinicians

DM-P311 Foundations and New Directions in Practical Theology
An overview of current theory and best practices with a strong emphasis on biblical and theological foundations. 3 hours. January 2009.

DM-P312 Theological Foundations for Practical Theology
A conversation with classical, modern, liberation, and post-modern theologians about contemporary pastoral practices. 3 hours. January 2009.

DM-P321 Intercultural Pastoral Care and Counseling
In care and counseling the pastor models the congregation's call to hospitality toward an increasingly diverse constituency. 3 hours. May 2009.

DM-P322 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 hours. May 2009.

DM-P331 Pastoral Assessment, Diagnosis, and Psychopathology
Tools for intervention when holiness and wholeness become disconnected. 3 hours. January 2010.

DM-P332 The Bible as a Source for Pastoral Care
The canonical scriptures as wellspring of stories, wisdom, and faith stewarded with hermeneutical integrity. 3 hours. January 2010.

DM-P341 Care and Counseling of Couples and Families
Vision and support for personal relationships of theological significance adapting to environments more or less supportive. 3 hours. May 2010.

DM-P342 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 2010.

Church Leadership Excellence

DM-L711 Images of Leadership in the Bible
With special attention to leadership in the books of Samuel, the recovered stories of women leaders, and the servant leadership of Jesus and Paul. 3 hours. May 2009.

DM-L712 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 2009.

DM-L721 Leading the Missional Church
Helping the church to break out of an establishment identity and to become more available to the God who sends. 3 hours. January 2010.

DM-L722 Leadership 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 2010.

DM-L731 Cultural Dynamics of Leadership
Reading the corporate culture of the congregation, building social capital, introducing change, surviving conflict. 3 hours. May 2010.

DM-L732 The Church Leader as Public Leader
Speaking for and with the congregation in the broader community, building alliances for a common cause, seeking "the welfare of the city where I have sent you in exile." 3 hours. May 2010.

DM-L741 The Person and the Role of Church Leader
An unfolding call through the seasons of ministry, balancing the public and private roles, negotiating major changes in vocation, becoming a lifelong learner. 3 hours. January 2011.

DM-L742 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 2011.

Spiritual Leadership for the Global Church: The Asian Track

DM-G211 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 hours. July 2008. Seoul, Korea.

DM-G212 Worship
Theological foundations, history, and practice of Christian worship and preaching with particular attention to new resources from the global church. 3 hours. July 2008. Seoul, Korea.

DM-G221 Bible, Old and New Testament
Recent trends in biblical scholarship, the expanded circle of global dialogue partners with attention to implications for the practice of ministry. 3 hours. January 2009. Seoul, Korea

DM-G222 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 hours. January 2009. Seoul, Korea

DM-G231 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. Washington, D.C.

DM-G232 Church and Society
Dimensions of ethical concerns for the church in the secular world. 3 hours. June 2009. Washington, D.C.

DM-G241 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 hours. January 2010. Asia.

DM-G242 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 hours. January 2010. Asia.

DM-G251 Theology
Historical and contemporary issues in theology for the growing church. 3 hours. June 2010. Seoul, Korea.

DM-G252 Christian Education
Issues in Christian education including faith development, nurture and conversion, and curricular concerns. 3 hours. June 2010. Seoul, Korea.

Missional Evangelism

DM-E211 Missional Evangelism
Evangelism understood as the church's participation in the activity of the word of God through the power of the Holy Spirit to renew and transform individuals and communities. 3 hours. May 2008.

DM-E212 Historical Models of Missional Evangelism
A survey of past expressions of evangelism, the good, the bad, and the dreadful to accrue wisdom for contemporary efforts in evangelism that are sound theologically and effective in practice. 3 hours. May 2008.

DM-E221 Salvation in the New Testament
Finding our place in the story of God's attempts to recover that which is lost in the inescapable background of the Hebrew Bible, in the nuances of salvation in the various New Testament books, and above all in the person and work of Jesus Christ. 3 hours. January 2009.

DM-E222 Preaching to Those on the Edge of Faith
Preaching effectively and faithfully to sympathetic "outsiders" or "seekers" while still proclaiming the "whole counsel of God." 3 hours. January 2009.

DM-E231 God's Welcome: Hospitality for a Gospel-Hungry World
Hospitality as virtue and practice; emphasis on biblical, theological, ethical, and ecclesiological aspects; recovery of hospitality in congregational life today. 3 hours. May 2009.

DM-E232 Making Disciples across Class and Culture
How homogeneous American mainline churches can establish contact with a more diverse constituency and minister more effectively in the global context. 3 hours. May 2009.

DM-E241 Project Seminar
Naming and planning a DMin project, options in the end product of the project, elements of a project proposal, and the disciplines for writing the project paper. 3 hours. January 2010.

DM-E242 Leading Fruitful Congregations
The leadership skills and practices that release a congregation for missional evangelism such as articulating a vision of diversity, staying focused on adaptive issues, and stewarding hospitality. 3 hours. January 2010.

Life Together: Spirituality for Transforming Community

DM-S911 Life in Community: Theological Reflection and Experiential Models
Attention to the spiritual formation of church leaders and local congregations as communities of transformation; development of competence in leading congregations toward purposeful community, intentional mission, and prophetic practices grounded in biblical spirituality. 3 hours. May 2008.

DM-S921 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. May 2008.

DM-S912 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. January 2009.

DM-S922 God's Welcome: Hospitality for a Gospel-Hungry World
Hospitality as virtue and practice; emphasis on biblical, theological, ethical, and ecclesiological aspects; recover of hospitality in congregational life today. 3 hours. January 2009.

DM-S931 Pilgrimage to the Alabama of the Civil Rights Movement
Historical, theological, and socio-cultural analysis of some of the major people, places and events of the Civil Rights movement, with particular focus on the connection between faith and the transformation of church and society. Visits to some of the significant venues of the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham, Montgomery, and Selma, Alabama. 6 hours. August 2009.

DM-S941 Listening as a Tool for Transforming Congregations
Recent insights from the social sciences to support the church leader's work of equipping congregations for greater effectiveness in nurture and mission. 3 hours. January 2010.

DM-S942 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 2010.

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.

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.

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 Spirituality through Negotiating Religious 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.

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. January 2008.

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.

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. 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.

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.

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.