Signature [SG]

SG0401 Thinking Theologically and Confessing Publicly

What does it mean to be a public witness to Jesus Christ in a pluralistic, post-secular, consumer society? Using classical and contemporary thinkers in systematic theology, students will think critically about how and in what ways God encounters us in and through our neighbors, calling us to examine our own assumptions about who God is and what God does in law and promise. Centered in Jesus Christ crucified and risen, the course examines how justification by faith alone turns us outward from the self through the Holy Spirit to participate in God's work of reconciliation, justice, and peace with our neighbor and for our neighbor. Students develop their identity as Christian leaders and grow in their theological capacity to offer public leadership in a wide range of ministry settings.

Full course

SG0405 Leading Christian Communities in Mission

This course introduces students to the complex realities of forming and leading Christian communities in a pluralist era. Students engage biblical and theological traditions for understanding the triune God’s mission in the world and how this shapes the church’s missional identity and leadership. Insights from sociology help students interpret persons and communities similar to and different from them for the sake of witness and service. Through attending carefully to specific Christian communities and their contexts, students develop imagination, practices, habits, and skills for faithful and innovative public leadership.

This course has a significant contextual component. Contact instructor for details.

Full course

SG0610 Christian Public Leaders

Christian public leaders lead Christian communities by giving voice to the gospel of Jesus Christ, teaching and confessing faith in the triune God, entering into God’s mission and service in the world and leading others in that work, and demonstrating the skills needed to gather a community around that mission. This course introduces students to this calling and Luther Seminary’s understanding of vocational formation, and to the signature courses of the curriculum. Through readings, assignments, classroom learning, and faculty advisor-led small groups, students will connect with other students and faculty, reflect on their own leadership, and identify personal learning goals for their seminary journey.

Full course

SG0620 Research Capstone Course

This course serves as part one of the capstone course for MA degrees to complete the capstone writing project requirement. Capstone writing project requirements demonstrate proficiency in the students' respective fields, including an ability to deal with the conventions of academic work at the master’s level, synthesize their learning, and do significant, independent scholarly work. In this course, students will complete one of the two capstone research papers or a full draft of the article for publication. Specifically, students will prepare a thesis statement, develop an initial outline with specific disciplinary content, create a bibliography, secure an advisor and readers, and develop a timeline for completion and a structured conversation. This course is to be taken in the first semester of the final year of the MA degree program.

Half course

SG0621 Structured Conversation for Research Capstone

This course serves as part two of the capstone course for MA degrees to complete the capstone writing project requirement. Capstone writing project requirements demonstrate proficiency in the students' respective fields, including an ability to deal with the conventions of academic work at the master’s level, synthesize their learning, and do significant, independent scholarly work. In this course students will complete their capstone writing project requirements by turning in two capstone research papers or article for publication and successfully complete a structured conversation with a faculty advisor and reader by the dates established in the Research Capstone Course. This course is to be taken in their final year of the MA degree program in the term that aligns with their deadlines for graduation.

Prerequisite: SG0620: Research Capstone Course

Half course

SG0705 Scripture and Its Witnesses

An inquiry into the Old and New Testaments as Christian scripture and the Bible’s multiple ways of presenting the nature of God and God’s commitments to the world and its peoples. Students develop a nuanced outlook on the Bible as a whole as they gain experience identifying how several theological ideas receive different expression in the Scriptures at different times in the history of Israel and the church. Students consider how they lead others in making sense of the Bible in light of their current realities and for the sake of exploring and articulating their Christian faith. The course brings students’ cultural contexts into conversation with the Bible and emphasizes how understanding the Bible requires them to engage other biblical interpreters as essential conversation partners.

Prerequisite: Four bible core courses (OT0115 Law and Narrative, NT0214-NT0218 Gospels, OT0120 Prophets/Poetry, and NT0230-NT0254 Epistles); and NT0220 Greek and LG0110 Hebrew

Full course

CD6610 Christian Public Leader and Scholarship

Christian public leaders lead Christian communities by giving voice to the gospel of Jesus Christ, teaching and confessing faith in the triune God, entering into God’s mission and service in the world and leading others in that work, and demonstrating the skills needed to gather a community around that mission. This course introduces Th.M. students to Luther Seminary’s curriculum, including research methods and exploration of thesis topic.

Half course

SG6698/8699 Guided Reading and Research in Signature Courses

An independent study for students in Advanced Theological Education. Consult faculty within division and the Advanced Theological Education Office.