Fall 2016

Faith-Rooted Organizing for Social Change

This foundational course – applicable to all vocational paths, from community organizing to parish ministry to non-profit leadership to theological scholarship – explores tools and best practices for faith-rooted organizing for social change. Paying close attention to the intersections of social issues, identities, and religious traditions, participants will draw lessons from a diversity of historical and contemporary movements, ranging from Black Lives Matter to climate justice. Merging the pastoral with the practical, students will learn to articulate their unique faith-rooted organizing style and strategize on how to take concrete, spiritually grounded action in their own congregations and communities.

Foundations of Religious Freedom in the United States

A blended learning course on the origins and development of religious liberty in the US from the colonial and founding periods to the mid-twentieth century. It offers a thorough understanding of the historical and legal foundations that currently govern the relationship of religion and government, define protection for the free exercise of religion, and provide the civic framework for living among people of all religions and none. Part of a pilot program for the Certificate in Religion in Public Life in cooperation with the Religious Freedom Center of the Newseum, http://www.religiousfreedomcenter.org/programs/religious-civic-leaders/. Online during the Spring 2017 Semester (February-May 2017) plus three day immersion at the RFC in Washington, DC (March 20-22 Travel expenses are the responsibility of the students. Separate application must be made to the Religious Freedom Center by December 11, 2016 at the latest. Designed and administered by Rev. Nate Walker, RFC Executive Director, supervised by Christopher Schelin. (http://www.religiousfreedomcenter.org/contact/directory/)

Global Religious Traditions

This course will examine the major global religions from a cross-cultural, multi-religious perspective. Taking into consideration that a course that explores many religions cannot be comprehensive, we will consider the religions from a thematic perspective by analyzing fundamental beliefs and practices in the various religious traditions. In addition, we will also examine assumptions underlying the discipline of religious studies. Students will engage through weekly readings and forum discussion, as well as other interactive learning activities, as part of the online learning community. Students of all faiths and backgrounds are invited and encouraged to enroll. Priority given to off-campus SKSM students.

Illness, Health and Healing

This course invites students to listen for the voices of the ill and/or disabled, even when those voices are full of pain or have been long ignored.  Students will develop spiritual care skills and practices to promote health and healing that will enhance their ministries and their lives.  The course will draw from narrative medicine as well as scriptures and healing stories from a variety of religious traditions.

Introduction to Counseling Theory

This online theory of counseling course is the first half of a two part theory-and-practicum curriculum. Students taking the online theory component must commit to the 1.5 credit practicum course that will be taught as a residential intensive during 2017 intersession.

Students will study major counseling theories, basic helping skills, and professional issues related to the counseling process. The course will foster multicultural awareness, and introduce students to culturally responsive counseling practices. We will examine intentional and unintentional oppressions and privilege, and become more aware of the biases, prejudices, microaggressions, processes of intentional and unintentional oppression and discrimination, and other culturally supported behaviors that can be detrimental to the growth of the human spirit

The course will provide the theoretical bases for students to then develop skills in the experiential intensive intersession practicum course.

Religion and News Media

This course is a blended learning course will offer the following for religious leaders and introduce a diverse group of graduate students to the challenges that the media present in communicating and engaging with belief within the context of the First Amendment and freedom of religion or belief.

In order to be an effective and authoritative religious leader in a diverse democracy, lay and ordained leaders must cultivate multiple competencies and literacies. This course will help students expand religious, media and digital literacies. These competencies will be measured via multimedia engagement, key readings, videoconferences, Socratic seminars, analysis (case studies), and media production.

Part of a pilot program for the Certificate in Religion in Public Life in cooperation with the Religious Freedom Center of the Newseum, http://www.religiousfreedomcenter.org/programs/religious-civic-leaders/. Online during the Spring 2017 Semester (February-May) plus three day immersion at the RFC in Washington, DC (March 20-22). Travel expenses are the responsibility of the students. Separate application must be made to the Religious Freedom Center by December 11, 2016 at the latest. Designed and administered by Dr. Debra L. Mason, of the RFC of the Newseum, supervised by Christopher Schelin. (http://www.religiousfreedomcenter.org/contact/directory/?entry=24)

Religious Liberty and Contemporary American Public Life

A blended course on the evolution of the First Amendment religious Freedom principles from the 1940s, through the civil rights era, to today. Participants will address contemporary issues that concern the constitutional relationship of religion and government along with current debates over the meaning of free exercise of religion.

Part of a pilot program for the Certificate in Religion in Public Life in cooperation with the Religious Freedom Center of the Newseum, http://www.religiousfreedomcenter.org/programs/religious-civic-leaders/. Online during the Spring 2017 Semester (February-May) plus three day immersion at the RFC in Washington, DC (March 20-22). Travel expenses are the responsibility of the students. Separate application must be made to the Religious Freedom Center by December 11, 2016 at the latest. Designed and administered Lauren W. Herman (JD, MTS) of the RFC, supervised by Christopher Schelin. (http://www.religiousfreedomcenter.org/contact/directory/?entry=23)

SKSM and Institute of Buddhist Studies: Our Co-Sponsored Courses Fall 2016

During Fall 2016, the Institute of Buddhist Studies will offer the following courses. Please note ~ we participate in the same GTU registration periods. To register for an IBS course, follow the same instructions as registering for a Starr King course. See How to Register. Most, but not all, IBS courses do not require faculty approval, so pay close attention when registering. View IBS Course Listings, including:

• HR-8160: Readings in Early Buddhist Texts with Professor Gil Fronsdal
• HRPS-8320: Psychological Aspects of Buddhism I with Professor Richard Payne
• HRPH-8450: Topics in Japanese Religions with Professor Lisa Grumbach

Again, the Institute of Buddhist Studies and Starr King School have different requirements for registration. For example, SKSM does not accept auditors. Although sponsored by SKSM, IBS courses follow IBS rules. Please check course descriptions carefully before registering.

The Human Right to Freedom of Religion or Belief

The course introduces students to the human right of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB), based on a review of the conceptual and operational tools, as well as illustrative empirical evidence, necessary for advanced study of the issue. FoRB is widely recognized by scholars, policymakers, and practitioners of human rights as the oldest of the universal human rights recognized under international law. The course is designed so that students of religious studies and/or theology, as well as religious leaders, can develop an understanding of how this right has come to be defined, protected, interrogated, and addressed, in a global order that remains organized according to the (evolving and problematic) political entity known as the state.

Part of a pilot program for the Certificate in Religion in Public Life in cooperation with the Religious Freedom Center of the Newseum, http://www.religiousfreedomcenter.org/programs/religious-civic-leaders/. Online during the Spring 2017 Semester (February-May) plus three day immersion at the RFC in Washington, DC (March 20-22). Travel expenses are the responsibility of the students. Separate application must be made to the Religious Freedom Center by December 11, 2016 at the latest. Designed and administered by Dr. Elizabeth H. Prodromou of the RFC, supervised by Christopher Schelin. (http://www.religiousfreedomcenter.org/contact/directory/?entry=25)