Interdisciplinary Courses

I500 MA(TS) Seminar

Myers This course orients students to the MA(TS) program and equips them with research and writing skills to support their graduate work in biblical studies, theology, ethics, and church history. Additionally, students will work to clarify their vocational/personal goals and will deepen skills in research practices and methodologies, academic/ecclesial presenting and publishing, and applying for admission into doctoral programs or for jobs in church or parachurch organizations. Online section and face to face section. 3 credits

I510 Imagination and Resilience for God’s Changing World

Yoo, Weaver Designed specifically for first-year MDiv students, this course explores “imagination and resilience” by engaging in a variety of Christian practices such as study, listening, prayer, dialogue, and hospitality. Students will grow personally and as members of the seminary and greater Atlanta community, while nurturing essential marks of ministerial presence in God’s changing church and world. 3 credits I

520 Contextual Immersions

Staff An academic and experiential exploration of a significantly different cultural context and the church’s mission. Contexts may include inner-city Atlanta, the Appalachian region of the U.S., New Mexico, Central Europe, Cuba, India, Jamaica, Korea, South Africa and immigrant communities in Atlanta. 3 credits

I530 Cross/Roads

Florence, Nadella, Yoo Imaginative and resilient communities need imaginative and resilient leaders. Relying on in class discussions, common readings, outside speakers and drawing upon students' life experiences and seminary studies with special attention to theologically acute contextual analysis, this course explores ways leaders develop such communities. 3 credits

I627 Race, Racisms, and Reconciliation

Walker-Barnes Examines the construction of race, the functions of white supremacy, and the impact of intersectional racism in modern society. Special attention is given to the role of Christianity in the history of US racism, the theology of racial reconciliation, and strategies for racial justice advocacy and activism in churches, denominations, and organizations. 3 credits

I701 ThM Research Methods Seminar

Douglas Intensive one week introductory seminar required for all entering ThM students during which students take their first steps towards shaping their ThM Projects. 3 credits

I705 ThM Colloquium

Douglas Final capstone course required of all ThM students. This class focuses on the development and presentation of an abbreviated version of their ThM projects. 3 credits

I730 DMin Introduction to Research Methodologies Seminar

Campbell, Tribble Students will be introduced to qualitative research methodologies to utilize for ministry as well as for extensive research in their final projects. In depth library research methods will also be introduced to enhance information literacy. Online 3 credits

I731 Project Proposal Workshop

Campbell, Tribble Toward the end of the program coursework, each student participates in a project development and design seminar to clearly articulate the topic and design of the student’s final DMin project. This seminar, together with the Introduction to Research Methodologies offered near the beginning of the students’ program, is offered to prepare the students to articulate well-designed project proposals before writing their final projects. Required for DMin/ DEdMin students. 3 credits

I732 Project Literature Review

Staff After students successfully complete their project proposals, they will critically review relevant literature for their projects with the careful guidance of their first readers. The culmination of the literature review may be the completion of the chapter outlining the theoretical and theological framework of the student’s project. The student must receive satisfactory evaluation from the first and second readers in order to pass the course. 3 credits

I735 DMin Doctoral Project

Staff Elements of the degree converge in the Doctor of Ministry Project. The student must complete a DMin project, comprised of a detailed, expanded research and a shorter summary article of the research. In order that the project can be an integrating focus for the entire course of study, students should start thinking about the proposal for the project early in the program. Ordinarily, the student’s ministry setting is the context of the DMin research project. 6 credits

I874 Faith in a Time of Climate Change: Travel Seminar to New York City & Washington DC

Douglas The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations in New York City, the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.’s Office of Public Witness in Washington D.C., and Columbia Theological Seminary regularly offer a Doctor of Ministry course on a topic of importance for the world and faith communities. This year’s course will examine “Faith in a Time of Climate Change.” The first week of the course, we will meet at the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations and the second week of the course will be held at the Office of Public Witness. In the 21st Century, the environment will increasingly take a central role not only as a set of concerns that human beings throughout the world will have to address, but as a lens through which the global society will have to apply all other concerns. How will this lens develop? What priorities will it reveal? How might the Christian faith be seen through the lens? What resources might Christianity contribute to its development? And what might be the implications of this new way of thinking and being for ministry? This course will explore these and similar questions, developing theological and moral resources for engaging the concerns, especially, of climate change and environmental justice. Along the way, students will have the opportunity to meet with United Nations staff, diplomats, NGO personnel, and their own congressional representatives. 3 credits