Educational Leadership [EL]
EL3523 Engaging Scripture in the Midst of the Learning Community
Recognizing the central place of scripture in the church’s teaching ministry, this course explores and develops ways to engage sacred texts while supporting the church as learning community. Students explore and evaluate published curriculum materials, as well as create and implement original materials. Particular attention is given to diverse media in which scripture is embedded, and the various practices by which people of faith deepen their biblical imagination.
Full course
EL3532 Contemporary Issues in Religious Education
This is a directed reading/seminar collaboration course. Students individually choose from a short list of pressing religious education challenges and read the bibliography associated with that challenge. They then meet in plenary session at predetermined times during the term with a faculty member who helps them to teach each other what they have learned about a specific challenge and seek insight from each other in meeting the identified challenge. This course may be taken more than once for credit.
Full course
EL3539 Christian Education and Dismantling Racism
This course analyzes institutionalized racism and proposes a series of frameworks from within Christian education for engaging and dismantling racism, and for supporting multicultural and intercultural congregational learning. Students are required to participate in an intensive retreat/workshop on dismantling racism as part of the course.
Cultural Context
Full course
EL4532 Religious Education in Relation to Creation
A study of the educational issues raised by emerging environmental awareness, particularly in relation to questions of stewardship and justice. This course focuses on two primary contexts, the rural and the urban, considering specific examples of ways in which Christian educators support congregational learning and ministry that embraces ecological literacy.
Cultural Context
Full course
EL4535 New Media in Faith Education
This course explores emerging media as environments in which people “create, share and believe.” Particular attention is given to new cultures of learning, and digital storytelling as a constructive form of faith formation. Students explore the role of church leaders in supporting digital media literacy, participate in media production in faith contexts, and develop theological rationales for participating in emerging media spaces.
Full course
EL4540 Foundations of Educational Leadership
This course provides a substantial introduction to the foundational issues of religious education. Students explore six curricula for learning in communities of faith -- koinonia, didache, leiturgia, kerygma, diakonia and martyria—and the practices and theological resources associated with them. Particular attention is given to ways to encourage, prepare and empower persons to support the development of learning communities in specific contexts.
Full course
EL4542 Learning in the Presence of Other Faiths
A study of the educational issues raised by living in a world of multiple faiths. The course examines the significance of diverse theological understandings for pastoral practice amid pluralism. The course also considers specific examples of interfaith learning, the pastoral challenges of supporting interfaith families, and engagement with people who do not claim religious identity.
Cultural Context
Full course
EL4544 Nurturing Spirituality, Vocation and Mission in Adults
This course explores the rich wealth of Christian frameworks for understanding and nurturing spirituality, vocation and mission. Research on social and psychological development in adulthood is connected to shifting understandings of religion and spirituality. Students explore both the promises and contradictions of this research for the design of effective strategies for adult education and faith formation.
Full course
EL4546 Religious Education for Children
This course explores ways to encourage, empower, and equip parents and other primary care givers to nurture faith in children. Attention is given to educational issues arising around first, second and third generation immigrants, and including children with physical and/or learning disabilities in congregational settings.
Cultural Context
Full course
EL4548 Proactive Ministry in Media Cultures
This course explores myriad challenges raised by media cultures for communities of faith. Questions of digital presence, communicative practices in digital cultures, constructive theological approaches to digital divides and other issues of justice, and positive use of diverse media in worship and mission are engaged.
Cultural Context
Full course
EL4550 Civic Action and Pastoral Leadership
The rise of digital technologies has rapidly shifted focus from that of “the private and the public” to the “personal and the collective.” In the process rising generations have little understanding of how traditional civic organizations and structure's function. This course will focus on helping emerging pastoral leaders to reflect theologically on the structures and systems of civic action to gain a sense of what might be possible, and to encourage and empower lay people across generations. Questions addressed will include: how do court's function (eg. harassment, immigration), what kinds of state and federal aid might churches participate in utilizing (eg. county extension agents, nutrition programs), how can churches support local economic development, what kinds of nonprofit collaboration are possible, and what role can Christian public leaders play in civic action in pluralist and public spaces.
Fulfills Congregation Mission and Leadership (CL) elective
Full course
EL4561 Women in Ministry
This course engages critical reflection on the practice of ministry in light of current feminist theory and theology, feminist biblical interpretation, issues of gender, and the very real experiences women face when entering various roles in the church. Presentations and discussions will focus on leadership skills and strengths in conversation with contemporary feminist and gender studies, the authority and office of the clergy, women’s roles in past and present ecclesial structures, sexism, and constructions of power in the church.
Full or half course
EL4597 Guided Reading and Research in Educational Leadership
An independent study for qualified students under the personal supervision of a member of the division. Consult faculty within division.
EL6598/8599 Guided Reading and Research in Educational Leadership
An independent study for students in Advanced Theological Education. Consult faculty within division and Advanced Theological Education Office.