COURSES AT HARTFORD SEMINARY

Fall 2010

Need to print this information? Use these downloads available in either Adobe .pdf* or Microsoft Word format: Printable Course Schedule and Registration Form for Special Students and Auditors: .pdf Word Individual registration form for special students and auditors: .pdf Word Matriculated students will register online; information will be sent directly to students. *If you do not have the Adobe reader to view the .pdf version, you can download it for free from their web site.

 

---

An asterisk (*) indicates that the course fulfills core area requirements for the Master of Arts program.

While we will make every effort to hold to this schedule, it is subject to change. Please refer back to this website or to the official semester course brochure for up-to-date information before registering.

Fall 2010

ARTS OF MINISTRY (AM)

Mental Health: An Islamic Perspective (AM-653)
Online, beginning the week of September 13

This course will familiarize students with the basic concepts of mental illness to facilitate their communication with multidisciplinary teams including both health and mental health professionals. We will focus on the cultural factors particular to the Muslim community. Students will obtain skills such as how to approach individuals in a mental health treatment context and when to make referrals to mental health specialists. Students will be required to write a term paper. Selected papers will be considered for the publication in the Journal of Muslim Mental Health. Hamada Hamid, Adjunct Professor of Arts of Ministry and Fellow, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding

Pastoral Care and Congregational Leadership (AM-652)
Tuesdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on September 14, October 5, October 26, November 9, and December 7 (Make-up session if needed on December 21)

This intermediate/advanced course is intended to help participants articulate and further develop a pastoral care toolkit, designed to meet the “real life” needs of professional religious leaders. The course will cover topics that include: how to assess mental health issues, when and how to refer; marriage enrichment and revitalization; professional boundaries in pastoral care; clergy self care; socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic diversity and its impact on pastoral counseling in the congregation. The approaches outlined and developed will be relevant to being pastorally present to different life circumstances, family systems and cultural contexts. We will explore how to make your pastoral presence in the ministry setting responsive to today’s challenges. Opportunities to present and work with case material will be available every class day. Prerequisite: Previous coursework in Pastoral Care is required. The Rev. Dr. Claire W. Bamberg, Adjunct Professor of Arts of Ministry; she is a licensed marriage and family therapist and was executive director of the Pastoral Counseling Center of West Hartford

Information Literacy for Islamic Studies (AM-677) NEW View Syllabus
Tuesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 11:50 a.m., beginning September 14

To conduct basic research in Islamic Studies requires knowledge of resources from manuscripts to websites, Arabic transliteration systems, Arabic keyboarding for data searches, the nature of historiography and its relation to disciplines within Islamic Studies, and the role of Orientalism, inter alia. Students will learn how to think critically concerning information produced about Islam from both within and without the religion. Differing editions of the Qur’an in translation as well as hadith, fatwas, and other classical texts will also be addressed, in addition to differing calendar systems, styles of calligraphy, the use of maps and atlases, and so on. Pre-requisite: one year of Arabic or permission of the instructor. Steven Blackburn, Faculty Associate in Semitic Scriptures and Librarian

Technology and the Church (AM-687) NEW
Wednesdays, from 7 p.m. to 9:20 p.m., beginning September 15

The Internet and technology are an integral part of our lives in the 21st century. The same should be true of our congregations and the approaches of our religious leaders. This course will describe the contemporary technological context of the U.S. in which ministry occurs. The course will address the potential worship innovations, community interactions and spiritual practices around the use of the Internet, video and other technologies. It will explore the potential strategic advantages and possible drawbacks to incorporating these technological features in the life and functioning of congregations. Scott Thumma, Professor of Sociology of Religion

 

DIALOGUE (DI)

Interfaith Perspectives on Poverty (DI-675) NEW
Wednesdays, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:50 p.m., beginning September 15

The great religions of the world have consistently focused on the elimination of poverty as the desire of God and a priority for faith communities. The reality has regularly fallen short of this vision. The course will explore how congregations can be on a pilgrimage with the poor to establish justice and eradicate poverty. The approach to this this reality will be explored through lectures, discussion and case studies drawing on the interfaith approaches implemented in South Africa. The goal is to develop doctrines and strategies to renew the commitment to proclaiming and acting on "good news to the poor" through the support of interfaith communities. The course is designed for religious and community leaders of all faith traditions who seek to revive the commitment to ending poverty in the congregations and communities they serve. Paul Verryn, Adjunct Professor of Interfaith Relations and Methodist Bishop of Johannesburg, South Africa

DOCTOR OF MINISTRY (DM)

Doctor of Ministry Colleague Seminar II, Part I (DI-720)
Retreat from Dinner on Sunday, September 12 through Tuesday, September 14; Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., on October 4 and 25, November 8 and December 6 (Make-up session if needed on December 20)

In pursuing further the training in congregational studies that began in the first year Colleague Seminar, we will explore ways of reflecting theologically on your congregation, or your ministry setting, and your practice of ministry within it. This will involve examining both classic and constructive approaches to theology. It will also involve paying close attention to personal experience and to the broader cultural environment as sources of theological insight. The culmination of this fall semester course will be a paper in which the students will work out a theology for ministry that genuinely reflects the manner in which they practice it. Kelton Cobb, Professor of Theology and Ethics

Ministry Project Colloquium (DI-795)
Mondays, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., on September 13, October 25 and December 6

Students who have successfully completed Colleague Seminars I and II and at least four of the six elective courses may enroll in the Ministry Project Colloquium. The Colloquium, which will meet periodically during the year, will provide a supportive environment for the preparation of ministry project proposals, the execution of ministry projects, and the writing of ministry project final reports. The Colloquium, while highly recommended for those working on their ministry project, is not required. The Colloquium carries no tuition or fee; however, students participating in the Colloquium who are not registered for either courses or the Ministry Project in any given semester will be required to register for a Program Extension or Program Continuation and pay the relevant fee. F. Maner Tyson, Facilitator, and Pastor, Waterbury Baptist Church

 

ETHICS (ET)

Feminist Ethics in a Multi-Cultural Context* (ET-625) NEW
Tuesdays, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:50 p.m., beginning September 14

This survey of feminist ethics will serve as an entry point to the general field of theological ethics. Students will explore the work of mujerista theologian, Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz, womanist theologian, Katie G. Cannon, and Jewish feminist theologians, Rachel Adler, Judith Plaskow and Rebecca Alpert, with a focus on method. In addition to the place of women in “sacred text” and in the church/synagogue, topics to be viewed through these various lenses will include economic justice and globalization, war, environmental justice and sexual ethics. Rabbi Donna Berman, Adjunct Professor of Theology and Ethics and Executive Director, Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford

 

HISTORY(HI)

The Early Church* (HI-550) View Syllabus | Buy Books
Thursdays, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:50 p.m., beginning September 16

This course will trace the growth and development of Christianity from its earliest beginnings in the first century to the great councils of the fourth and fifth centuries, stopping en route to examine selected texts from the New Testament, early Christian and Roman documents, the writings of the Fathers and the earliest creeds, ranging from the Gospels and St. Paul to Ignatius, Justin, Origen, Basil, Augustine, and Nicea. The course will focus on emergent Christian thought, the nature of God and Christ, the Bible, Church and sacraments, sin and grace, the relation of church and state, and the Christian way of life, toward the goal of gaining keener insight into issues of religion and faith today. Wayne Rollins, Adjunct Professor of Scripture


Islamic History II* (HI-625)
Thursdays, from 7 p.m. to 9:20 p.m., beginning September 16

This course continues the exploration of the history of Islamic societies and civilization, from the beginnings of the major pre-modern Islamic empires (Ottoman Turkey, Safavid Iran, Moghol India, Morocco) and Islam’s expansion into Africa and South-Asia until the colonization of most of the Islamic world by European powers, the struggles for independence and the creation of contemporary Muslim nation-states. Special attention will be given to socio-economic realities, ideological evolutions and significant cultural and artistic achievements. Students will read selections of important primary sources available in English translation, such as Dârâ Shikûh’s The Mingling of the Two Oceans, Kâtib Tchelebi’s Balance of Truth, Tavernier’s Collections of Travels through Turkey into Persia, Jabartî’s Chronicle, Khayr al-Dîn al-Tûnisî’s Sureth Path, and al-Afghânî’s Refutation of the Materialists. Timur Yuskaev, Assistant Professor of Contemporary Islam

 

LANGUAGE (LG)

Introduction to New Testament Greek, Part I (LG-561)
Tuesdays, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:50 p.m., beginning September 14

The focus of this introductory course, which assumes no prior knowledge of the Greek language, is on the basic grammar and vocabulary of New Testament Greek. Students will begin reading selected passages of the New Testament. Edward F. Duffy, Adjunct Professor of New Testament and Minister of the First Presbyterian Church, Fairfield, CT

Introduction to Arabic: Phonology and Script (LG-580)
Mondays and Wednesdays, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:40 p.m., beginning September 13

Students will master the writing system of standard Arabic, as well as the sounds of the language.  A basic vocabulary of over 100 words will be learned, and at the end of the term students will be able to engage in short, simple conversations.  Both Levantine and Egyptian pronunciation will be covered.  Assumes no prior knowledge of Arabic. Steven Blackburn, Faculty Associate in Semitic Scriptures and Librarian

Intermediate Arabic, Part I (LG-650)
Mondays and Wednesdays, from 5:45 p.m. to 6:55 p.m., beginning September 13

This course is designed for participants to consolidate their knowledge of Arabic. Prerequisite: LG-581 or permission of the instructor.
Steven Blackburn, Faculty Associate in Semitic Scriptures and Librarian

Readings in the Greek New Testament, Part I (LG-661)
Tuesdays, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:20 p.m., beginning September 14

This intermediate level course is designed to enable students to read the New Testament in Greek, concentrating on grammar and vocabulary building. Students will be introduced to the wide variety of Greek styles present in the New Testament writings. Prerequisite: LG-562 Introduction to New Testament Greek, Part II or permission of the instructor. Edward F. Duffy, Adjunct Professor of New Testament and Minister of the First Presbyterian Church, Fairfield, CT

 

MASTER OF ARTS (MA)

Dialogue in a World of Difference (MA-530)
Mondays, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., beginning September 13 (10 weeks)

A required course for all students enrolled in the Master of Arts degree program. Students and faculty in a collegial setting will explore in depth the principles and the practice of dialogue in a pluralistic world through dialogical listening and cross-cultural conversations in a context of diversity. Goals of the course include the development of listening and communication skills in multi-cultural contexts; fostering an understanding of one another through information sharing and community building action; and learning how to discuss potentially divisive issues constructively and without animosity. This course is graded on a Pass/Fail basis. Heidi Hadsell, Professor of Social Ethics and President, Hartford Seminary, and Yehezkel Landau, Faculty Associate in Interfaith Relations

 

DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY (PHD)

Research Skills Preparation (PHD-699)
Three day-long retreats over the course of the academic year – dates to be determined

Exclusively required for the Transition Year students, this course provides a comprehensive survey of the academic expectations involved in a Ph.D. Students will be required to find relevant Ph.D. dissertations and offer a critique of the quality; in addition faculty will make presentations on time management, note taking, and doctoral level arguments. The course takes place over three retreat days across the academic year with significant independent work done outside the class in consultation with the student’s advisor. Faculty

Research Methodology and Scholarly Development I (PHD-700)
Tuesdays, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., beginning September 14

This year long course will provide students with the tools for doctoral level research and opportunities for collegial interaction. The following topics will be included: a) Introduction to Research Skills; b) Logical Thinking; c) Quantitative and Qualitative Data; d) Writing Articles, Book Proposals, and Reviews; e) Developing a Career in Scholarship; and f) Theories of Religious Studies. Faculty

 

RELIGION AND SOCIETY (RS)

Religion as a Social Phenomenon: The Sociological Study of Religion* (RS-536)
Online, beginning the week of September 13

All religion is a social phenomenon. Although faith has a private dimension, human beings experience religion in groups or through forms created by social organizations. Every religion creates and is maintained by institutionalized rituals or concrete organizational forms. Professed beliefs are passed down by religious traditions, and ideally, these beliefs have consequences for one’s social behavior. Religious life has spawned times of war and times of peace; changed human beings and human history. Each of these social dimensions of religion can be investigated with the research methods of the social scientist. Much can be learned about religion from a sociological perspective, from reading classical sociological theories of religious organization and practice including those of Weber, Durkheim, and Marx. Scott Thumma, Professor of Sociology of Religion

World Religions and Worldly Politics: Church/State Relations around the World* (RS-655) NEW
Thursdays, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:50 p.m., beginning September 16

There are a wide variety of constitutional approaches to “church/state” relations around the world. This course will explore a broad spectrum of these and how their roots and current implementation and implications are inextricably intertwined with religious politics. We will journey across Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Jewish and multi-religious countries, using the comparative vantage point to, especially, refine a student’s understanding of her or his own country, which will be the subject of students’ course papers. David Roozen, Professor of Religion and Society

SCRIPTURE (SC)

Hebrew Bible Survey I* (SC-519) View Syllabus | Buy Books
Thursdays, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:50 p.m., beginning September 16

An introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures, this course will apply historical-critical methods of study to develop a framework for understanding the origins of the texts and the relationship of the texts to one another. Attention will be given to contemporary theories of biblical interpretation. Survey I will cover the materials in the Torah and Prophets (Genesis-Kings). Uriah Kim, Professor of Hebrew Bible

A Political Reading of Paul’s Letters* (SC-647)
Tuesdays, from 7 p.m. to 9:20 p.m., beginning September 14

This course will explore the letters of the Apostle Paul from the perspective of power and politics, in particular how Paul and his congregations engaged the Roman imperial order of his day. A case study will be undertaken in how Paul addressed a critical institution of the Roman order - slavery - in his Letter to Philemon. The course will include readings and discussions both of Paul’s letters and relevant Greek and Roman literature (in translation), and how a political reading of these ancient writings can inform our own engagement in matters of power and politics from the perspective of faith today. Efrain Agosto, Professor of New Testament and Academic Dean

THEOLOGY (TH)

Introduction to Black Theology* (TH-526)
Thursdays, from 7 p.m. to 9:20 p.m., beginning September 16

This course will examine the human condition in light of God’s liberating activity. Liberation theology, womanist theology, and the theologies of oppressed peoples will be explored as a method of investigating, explicating, and critiquing religious thought. Benjamin K. Watts, Faculty Associate in the Arts of Ministry and Bishop, Shiloh Baptist Church, New London

Introduction to Islamic Theology* (TH-553) View Syllabus
Wednesdays, from 7 p.m. to 9:20 p.m., beginning September 15

This course explores the content and structure of Islamic belief, as elaborated by Muslim classical thinkers (7th-15th centuries), in relation to a selection of representative texts. The Introduction questions the nature and modalities of theology in Islam. History studies the origins and growth of the science of Kalâm in its interaction with the other major religious disciplines of Sunnism -- exegesis, Prophetic tradition, jurisprudence, sects, Sufism and philosophy (falsafa). The Creed is then analyzed more theoretically in its major components: the lordship and divinity of God, the mediation of the Messenger, the servitude and ethics of the believers. Society offers a last avenue for enquiry, in so far as it was shaped by particular theological doctrines. The Way/Law (sharî’a), power, love, innovation, and alterity -- religious or other -- are among the topics envisaged. No knowledge of Arabic is required for this course. Yahya Michot, Professor of Islamic Studies and Christian-Muslim Relations

Narrative and Testimony: Theological Aspects of Identity and Witness (TH-617) NEW View Syllabus | Buy Books
Tuesdays, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., on September 14, October 5 and 26, November 9 and December 7 (Make-up session if needed on December 21)

Our world depends upon publicly accountable words, basic forms of truth-telling that give reliable knowledge and support trustworthy relationships. Whether on the witness stand, in political or commercial arenas, during a counseling session, or even at church, these forms of narrative and testimony have striking similarities and important differences. We will explore these practices as they are understood within theology, law, philosophy, marketing, holocaust studies, and more, to sense what is fully involved when we know something by such means. This practical theological approach will clarify the faith implications embedded in these practices so that participants can rethink their own witness in daily life. James Nieman, Professor of Practical Theology

The Hardest Doctrines* (TH-641)
Thursdays, from 7 p.m. to 9:20 p.m., beginning September 16

Christian theology has evolved over the centuries since the first efforts of Paul to make sense of the impact of the life and work of Jesus. In response to some more difficult moments in the history of the church, and in an effort to faithfully chart the implications of the biblical record, Christian theology has generated some “hard doctrines,” hard to comprehend or hard to reconcile with what we would wish were true. In this course we will look at some of the more perplexing of these, i.e., the Trinity, predestination, hell, and sacrificial atonement—how they arose as doctrines, who believes them, what insights they contain and what new difficulties they leave us with. Kelton Cobb, Professor of Theology and Ethics

 

WORSHIP AND SPIRITUALITY (WS)

Fundamentals of Worship: Practice and Theology* (WS-500)
Wednesdays, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:50 p.m., beginning September 15

What is Christian worship, and how is it effectively and meaningfully led? This course will explore the theological underpinnings of the community gathered for worship, study the elements of regular and special services (including baptism, marriage and funeral), and provide practical guidance for developing worship experiences appropriate to both congregation and leader. The Revs. Jonathan Lee and Donna Manocchio, Adjunct Professors of Liturgy, Worship and Spirituality. Jonathan Lee is Chief Development Officer at Hartford Seminary; Donna Manocchio is Associate Pastor at Rocky Hill Congregational Church

Women’s Leadership Institute* (WS-553)
Fridays from 6 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on September 24-25; October 22-23; November 19-20; and December 10-11

A year-long six credit course in leadership and applied spirituality rooted in women’s experience and from a feminist perspective that meets monthly from September through May and requires a separate admissions process. Prerequisite: enrollment in the Women’s Leadership Institute. Miriam Therese Winter, Professor of Liturgy, Worship and Spirituality and Director, Women’s Leadership Institute

Resurrecting Jesus: Quantum Spirit, Inclusive Spirituality* (WS-642) NEW View Syllabus
Mondays, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., beginning September 13 (10 weeks)

As we struggle to adjust to a world that is continually changing, it is vital to revisit inherited assumptions and traditional perceptions foundational to our faith. In this course we return to Jesus, the Jewish mystic at the core of Christianity, to wrestle once again with such challenging questions as: “Who do people say that I am?’ and “Who do you say that I am?” Together we will seek to discern his 21st-century spirit as we shape an emerging spirituality made visible through a quantum lens. Miriam Therese Winter, Professor of Liturgy, Worship and Spirituality