Spring 2022

ChI Chaplaincy Electives

For joint-program students participating in Chaplaincy Institute (ChI) courses as part of the Interfaith Chaplaincy & Ministry Certificate. Students enrolling in ChI electives earn credit based on the total number of courses completed in a term. Please contact the SKSM registrar for a manual adjustment of credit level based on electives chosen. The following electives are offered in Spring 2022: Psychedelic Chaplaincy & Plant Medicine (Feb. 25-27; 1.5 units); Spiritual But Not Religious (April 22-23;1 unit); and Science and Spirit (May 13-15; 1.5 units). Some additional coursework will be conducted online.

ChI electives are only for students who have been admitted to the SKSM-ChI joint program and are not available to other SKSM students or to students from other GTU schools. Relevance for SKSM thresholds and MFC competencies varies by elective. [Max. enrollment 15; auditors excluded.]

ChI Culture

ChI Sacred Justice Ministry

Prophetic Voice and Social Transformation: for joint-program students participating in the Chaplaincy Institute (ChI) courses as part of the Interfaith Chaplaincy & Ministry Certificate. In this 3-day course, students will immerse themselves in both self-inquiry and applied theology while exploring questions around diverse aspects of injustice and oppression, how spirituality informs social action, and key elements of social transformation. Specific areas of focus will include: Prison Ministry; Human Sexuality: History, Theology and Politics; Restorative Justice and Peacemaking Circles; Theatre of the Oppressed; an Introduction to Deep Culture as well as Spiritual Care as if Oppression Matters.

This course is only for students who have been admitted to the SKSM-ChI joint program and are not available to other SKSM students or to students from other GTU schools. Meets Feb. 4-6 + additional online work. Relevant for SKSM thresholds 2, 4, and 6 and MFC competencies 3 and 4. Max. enrollment 10; auditors excluded

ChI Spiritual Direction II

For joint-program students participating in Chaplaincy Institute (ChI) courses as part of the Interfaith Spiritual Direction Certificate. This course is the second of four quarterly classes for the 21-22 cohort. The certificate is designed to inspire, nurture and educate those who are called to serve as Spiritual Directors in our increasingly diverse world. Our innovative program focuses on a combination of the study of world religions, an exploration of personal spirituality, and spiritual direction skills….all in a creatively infused context. Each course focuses on the development of practical skills and competencies for offering spiritual direction to persons of varying religious beliefs and backgrounds. This immersion in the arts of ministry combines pedagogies of theoretical, practical, and artistic learning.

This course is only for students who have been admitted to the SKSM-ChI joint program and is not available to other SKSM students or to students from other GTU schools. Meets March 18-20, 9:00 am – 4:30 pm. [Max enrollment 10; auditors excluded]

ChI Spiritual Direction IV

For joint-program students participating in Chaplaincy Institute (ChI) courses as part of the Interfaith Spiritual Direction Certificate. This course is the last of four quarterly classes in the 2022 program. The certificate is designed to inspire, nurture and educate those who are called to serve as Spiritual Directors in our increasingly diverse world. Our innovative program focuses on a combination of the study of world religions, an exploration of personal spirituality, and spiritual direction skills….all in a creatively infused context. Each course focuses on the development of practical skills and competencies for offering spiritual direction to persons of varying religious beliefs and backgrounds. This immersion in the arts of ministry combines pedagogies of theoretical, practical, and artistic learning.

This course is only for students who have been admitted to the SKSM-ChI joint program and is not available to other SKSM students or to students from other GTU schools. Meets March 8-12. Maximum Enrollment: 10. Auditors excluded.

ChI Spiritual Traditions 2

Global Spiritual Traditions 2: for joint-program students participating in Chaplaincy Institute (ChI) courses as part of the Interfaith Chaplaincy & Ministry Certificate. The second of a 2-part series that introduces students to ChI’s core philosophy and learning approach as well as an introduction to World Religions and/or spiritual paths that have their origins in the Abrahamic traditions (Judaism, Islam, Christianity).

This course is only for students who have been admitted to the SKSM-ChI joint program and is not available to other SKSM students or to students from other GTU schools. Meets March 18-20. Relevant for SKSM thresholds 1, 3, and 6; MFC competency 3. Max. enrollment 10; auditors excluded.

ChI Theological Literacy

For joint-program students participating in Chaplaincy Institute (ChI) courses as part of the Interfaith Chaplaincy & Ministry Certificate. Theology literally means “words about the Divine.” In Theological Literacy, students will explore the concepts that attempt to describe the Divine, as well as how we understand the universe and ourselves in relation to the Divine. Our approach to ministry is always directed by our theology. In this course, students will receive an interfaith orientation to theological concepts across the World Religions, to better discern, define and describe one’s own understanding of theological questions related to morality and end-of-life speculation. The ChI curriculum incorporates lecture, dyad/small group work, various art modalities, and site visits to deepen our many ways of learning and integrating new awareness.

This course is only for students who have been admitted to the SKSM-ChI joint program and is not available to other SKSM students or to students from other GTU schools. Meets May 20-22 + additional online coursework. Relevant for SKSM thresholds 1 and 6, MFC competency 3. Max. enrollment 10; auditors excluded.

Community Intern Reflection

This course is a peer group seminar for interns doing fieldwork in community field sites. It offers thexlogical reflection, linking the experience in the internship to the student’s broad educational and vocational goals (praxis). The class is designed for students to assess their personal progress, gather support from peers and the instructor, integrate their internship experience into their degree program, and deepen thexlogical practices to sustain religious leadership in community ministry. Students gather multi-religious sources of wisdom and inspiration, which serve as touchstones for group spiritual reflection. The course includes a required live web-based video seminar approximately twice a month, as well as weekly online discussion postings that orient the seminar sessions. This online course is synchronous on Zoom; students must have consistent internet access to relevant technology. Specific meeting times for the term can be confirmed in the first two synchronous sessions, depending on the needs and schedules of the group. Evaluation is based on participation, depth of engagement with peers and resources, as well as written self-evaluations. Required for MDiv/ MASC students enrolled in credit for community internship during the same semester. Fulfills thresholds based on personal learning goals.

PREREQUISITES: SIMULTANEOUS ENROLLMENT IN COMMUNITY INTERNSHIP CREDITS FOR THE SEMESTER. FULL AND COMPLETE APPROVAL OF THE INTERNSHIP AGREEMENT BY THE DIRECTOR OF CONTEXTUAL EDUCATION, SITE SUPERVISOR AND FACULTY ADVISOR. STUDENT MUST SUBMIT DESCRIPTION OF APPROVED INTERNSHIP AND COPY OF AGREEMENT TO INSTRUCTOR PRIOR TO FIRST SESSION. ECO CORE INTENSIVE PREREQUISITE. [6 max enrollment]

Congregational Intern Reflection

The Congregational Intern Reflection course is paired with the on-site experience of Congregational Internship. It is in synchronous online modality. This course is for M.Div students. The Intern Ministers meet twice a month by Zoom to discuss progress on Learning Goals, development of pastoral/prophetic/ preaching voices, and integrating theory with skills. Students are expected to attend the January 2022 Congregational Intern Minister Gathering, January 10-11 at Starr King. Evaluation will be based on the Zoom conversations and the content of the mid-term and final evaluations.

During the Internship experience, there are opportunities for all 8 Starr King Threshold Areas to be explored, as well as each of the UU Ministerial Fellowship Committee Competency Areas. ECO Core Intensive is a prerequisite.

Dynamic Youth Ministry

This lively and interactive course grounds participants in philosophical, psychological,
programmatic, ethical and theological aspects of youth ministry. Asynchronous online modality. Geared toward Unitarian Universalists, but open to all religious or secular affiliations, this course seeks to embody a vision of youth ministry that is a vibrant, robust, and flexible part of every congregation and community. Topics of instruction include leadership and spiritual development, professional support for youth advisors, denominational polity, adolescent life issues, building intergenerational community, and a critical analysis of different models of youth ministry and programming. A foundational course recommended for all religious leaders, both new and old to youth ministry.

Maximum Enrollment:17. Auditors excluded.

ECO Core

Educating to “Create Just and Sustainable Communities that Counter Oppressions”(“ECO”) is a core goal of Starr King’s M.Div. and M.A.S.C. degree programs. In this required core synchronous course, M.Div. and M.A.S.C. students work together to form a framework for counter-oppressive spiritual leadership. We will ask: how can spirituality, ministry, and religious activism respond to the multiple and intersecting realities of injustice, suffering, and oppression in our lives and our world? What models of justice and sustainable community invite our commitment? Drawing on Unitarian Universalist and multi-religious sources, we will explore how in the midst of a world marked by tragedy, sorrow and injustice there remain abiding resources of beauty and grace that nourish resistance, offer healing and call us to accountability and community building. Reflection essays and final paper. Relates to Thresholds #2,5,7 and 8 and MFC Competency #4. Please take in the first term after Orientation, as the course will introduce you to studying at SKSM. Limited to 22 students.​

Eco-Feminism and Indigenous Wisdom

Forgiveness and Moral Repair

In this online, asynchronous course we will encounter people from all over the world, from various religious and cultural traditions, who have practiced forgiveness as a means of healing, peace, and liberation. Through readings, films, spiritual practice exercise, and projects we will develop interpersonal and pastoral skills in forgiveness. We will also explore moral repair: how we individually and collectively might apologize, repent, and make amends after wrong-doing. This class will be multi-religious and counter-oppressive. It will draw on personal narratives, neuroscience, psychology, practical theology and religious traditions from around the globe, including earth-based traditions. This course is especially suited for those preparing for ministry, chaplaincy, interfaith work, and/or sacred activism. Relates to SKSM Thresholds: Spiritual Practice & Care for the Soul; Prophetic Witness & Work. Relates to MFC Comps: #3 and #4. Maximum enrollment is 25. Auditors excluded.

Interreligous Dialogoue

This course will present a framework for the practice of interreligious dialogue, in a collaborative and pluralist environment. It will draw upon contemporary texts and guest lectures representing a diversity of faith traditions to provide an integrative context for building bridges between and among religious boundaries, as well as addressing conflicts that arise through interreligious encounters. Students will be encouraged to share their interreligious experiences to foster discussion about ways in which to engage in interfaith work among and between different traditions and understand interreligious dialogue from a variety of perspectives. Course Format and Evaluation: seminar, with final presentation and research paper or project on a specific topic or theme. Intended audience: all degree programs. High-residency, limited hybrid participation allowed. Relates to Thresholds: I, II, IV, VI, VII, VIII. Relates to MFC: IV, VII.

Intro to Pastoral Counseling

This asynchronous online course introduces students to culturally responsive counseling practices and multicultural awareness.  Students examine societal and institutional structures of power and privilege, and become more aware of biases, prejudices, and micro aggressions detrimental to the growth of the human spirit.  Students study major counseling theories and practice basic helping skills centered on Person-Centered (Rogerian) counseling and Bowen Family Systems Theory.  Pastoral elements will include individual, family, and congregational contexts.  Asynchronous course with written lectures, readings, videos and links to online resources.  Weekly personal Moodle reflections and one synchronous component: a weekly self-scheduled practice sessions with a classmate.  There are two assigned textbooks.  Intermediate/advanced course intended for MDiv students but also available to MASC ones.  It relates to Thresholds #2 and #5.  MFC Competency #2 and #4. [Faculty Consent required; 16 max enrollment; Auditors excluded]

MASC Project Spring

For SKSM Master of Arts in Social Change (MASC) students only. MASC students may split this course over two semesters or sign up for it during their last semester. This final project can take a variety of forms and should be representative of the student’s learning and creative work in the MASC degree. The student will work independently under faculty supervision. Projects include research thesis, public presentations, designing and implementing educational curricula, organizing local/national conferences and special events, multimedia art-work, writing a book and more. The project’s topic, proposal and final draft need to be discussed and developed with the Director of the MASC program and a second faculty member. The project may be presented publicly. A total of 3 MASC Project credits are required for graduation in the MASC degree. – Fulfills Threshold # 2. ECO Core Intensive is a prerequisite. This project is variable credit between 0.5-3 credits.

AUDITORS EXCLUDED. MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT: 10

Power, Organizations, And Movements

The rationale of this synchronous online course is to engage the interdependence of internal and collective power in contributing to organizations, movements, regeneration, and liberation. The course will explore specific approaches to social change through various perspectives of power, organization, and movement. Participants will have the opportunity to develop their connection to collective liberation by: studying power, organizations, and movements; working with concrete tools and practices that deepen internal, interpersonal, and institutional relationships with power and social change; reflecting upon the wisdom of spiritual and secular sources; and collaborating in the equitable cultivation of community. Students will be expected to complete readings, responsibilities, case-studies, reflections, and a final group project, all of which contribute to the collective wisdom of the class. Relates to SKSM Thresholds 2, 4, & 6, and MFC Comps 3, 5, & 7. Fulfills History of Dissenting Traditions & The@logical Quest threshold. [19 max enrollment; Auditors excluded]

Queer Studies: Multireligious Perspectives

In an increasingly changing and globalized world, the intersection of religious and queer studies is vital for understanding the construction of identities. This asynchronous online course is designed to introduce you to the place given to gender, sexuality, sexual orientation, the sexual division of labor, gender role expectations, race, and ethnicity within world religions’ theo(ideo)/logical discourses. Drawing from an interdisciplinary approach you will develop a self-critical perspective on the way that sacred texts and dogmatic corpus influence the lives and spiritual practices of queer individuals and communities. Together we will explore the mutual constitution of queerness and subjectivity of religious experiences and their social and political implications towards the deconstruction of stereotypes, power dynamics, and marginalization.

The 19th Century Roots of UU Prophetic Witness

This asynchronous online course will locate the roots of Unitarian Universalist Prophetic Witness in nineteenth century social justice concerns: abolition, education, prison reform, utopian communities, suffrage, temperance, humane treatment of animals, civil disobedience, and poverty. We will also explore the nineteenth Unitarian and Universalist influence on Biblical Criticism, literature, philosophy, music, and art. Our course will begin with the Unitarian Controversy at Harvard, against the backdrop of the Second Great Awakening, and explore how theological education influenced Unitarian and Universalist social commitments. We will discuss a variety of attitudes about race and racial justice and find disconcerting inconsistencies and evolving understanding as the arc of the moral universe bends a young nation to engage in Civil War. The heart of this course is Transcendentalism, from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s Divinity School Address in 1838 to the death of Margaret Fuller in 1850, and we will finish with the emergence of Humanism at the century’s end. Although our focus is on North America, we will also consider parallel developments in Great Britain and Transylvania. Most of our texts will be found online as our emphasis will be on nineteenth century documents which are out of copyright: philosophy, essays, scriptures, and biographies. Students will be evaluated through demonstrated preparation, class participation on Moodle, class presentations in VoiceThread on Moodle and a final paper.

This course relates to the Unitarian Universalist Association’s Ministerial Fellowship competencies 6 and 7, and the Starr King Thresholds 4 and 6.
MAXIMUM ENROLLMENT: 20

The Politics of Religious Hybridity and Activism

This online synchronous course focuses on the ways that inter-spiritualities and religion inform and form social justice movements both historically and in our time. Religious hybridity has often been cast as an enterprise of luxury or excess. In this course, we will explore how communities have developed religiously plural models of organizing, political action and ritual based on necessity and for survival. We will examine the cases of California farmworkers under the leadership of Cesar Chavez, labor/immigration movements and organizations, and indigenous African and Native spiritual leaders in restorative justice spaces in California who are seeking to end mass incarceration. What does a political embodied religious pluralism look like, how does it function, how is this form of knowledge produced and passed on? Students will be asked to develop an intervention in a live social justice issue or context based on their choosing and integrate lessons from their study during the course of the semester into their final project. Enrollment max: 15. Auditors are excluded. Applies to Thresholds: 1. Life in Religious Community and Interfaith Engagement 2. Prophetic Witness and Work 7. Educating for Wholeness and Liberation 8. Embodied Wisdom and Beauty and MFC Competencies: 3. Spiritual Development for Self and Others 4. Social Justice in the Public Square 5. Administration

The Sacred and The Substance

This synchronous online course seeks to formulate a history of psychedelia today, including modern history while at the same time attending to some of the inherent harms associated with the movement. We’ll explore how traditional communities association with sacred plants has been both respected and exploited by new practitioners, some of them with the best of intent. We’ll look at technical practices with sacred plants and explore the role of exotification and Global tourism. We’ll look at the division between the religious and the spiritual and the notion of Spiritual bypass. We’ll also pay attention to the laws governing substance use, from mandated 12 step meetings to the role of the DEA in regulating what is considered Sacred. Finally, we’ll be exploring the new crop of Guide training programs to see what they say about the future of psychedelia in the movement. This course will feature queer, indigenous, and POC perspectives. We will have guest lecturers from some of the prominent voices in this psychedelic community today. Reflection papers, final projects, and/or a final paper will be used for evaluation. This course is intended for all of those with an interest in the topic. Previous experience is not a prerequisite. Faculty consent required. Maximum enrollment 11. Auditors Excluded.
Relates to SKSM Thresholds: 1. Life in Religious Community and Interfaith Engagement, 4. History of Dissenting Traditions and the Thea/ological Quest, 5. Spiritual Practice and Care of the Soul, 6. Thea/ology in Culture and Context. MFC: 2. Pastoral Care and Presence, 3. Spiritual Development for Self and Others, 4. Social Justice in the Public Square, 7. Leads the faith into the future.

UU Theologies

This online course introduces the student to distinctive theological perspectives present within Unitarian Universalism. Especially oriented to students who identify as Unitarian Universalists, this course encourages participants to form a practice of engaged theological thinking within the context of Unitarian Universalism’s particular perspectives, resources, limits and possibilities. Students who do not identify as Unitarian Universalists will become acquainted with this expression of American progressive post-Christian Protestantism as a site in which to engage theological issues critical to post-modern religious communities. Weekly synchronous oral discussion, asynchronous written discussion threads, reflection papers, and final project. The course is suited to MDiv, MA/MTS, DMin students.

Relates to SKSM thresholds 1,6 and MFC competency 1. 26 max enrolment.

Womanist Theo-Ethics: An Advanced Introduction

This online synchronous advanced seminar will offer multi-disciplinary and transdisciplinary approaches to the roots of Womanism and the study of Womanist theology and ethics, through the lens of literature as well as trauma-informed methodologies grounded in the experiences of Black women in the Diaspora created by the Middle Passage and the transatlantic slave trade. Works of Womanist scholars such as Emilie Townes, Katie Cannon, Delores Williams, Monica Coleman, and Angela Sims become tools for cultivating transdisciplinary counter-oppressive perspectives on moral questions as well as healing and transformative praxis for the dismantling of myriad forms of intersecting oppression. Literary works by Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, Zora Neale Hurston, Ida B. Wells, and others highlight the inter-religious and prophetic origins of Womanism in Afra-American spirituality, politics, and aesthetics.

SKSM Thresholds: 1. Life in Religious Community and Interfaith Engagement, 2. Prophetic Witness and Work, 3. Sacred Text and Interpretation, 6. Thea/ology in Culture and Context, 7. Educating for Wholeness and Liberation. MFC: 1. Worship and Rites of Passage, 2. Pastoral Care and Presence, 3. Spiritual Development for Self and Others, 4. Social Justice in the Public Square.
Faculty consent required. Maximum enrollment: 12. Auditors excluded.