Pasadena Courses and Schedules - Fall 2010


Dates to remember:
  • Student orientation Aug. 21
  • General registration Aug. 21-Sept. 3
  • Fall tuition payment due Sept. 3
  • Fall classes begin Sept. 7
  • 20th Anniversary Celebration of SFTS/SC
  • Seminary Saturdays Oct. 30, Nov. 13, Dec. 11
  • Holidays Observed-Office will be closed: Sept. 6, Labor Day; Nov. 25-26, Thanksgiving; Christmas Holiday, Dec. 24-Jan. 1

Area I: Biblical Studies
   
BS-1019 Hebrew I (3 Units) – An introduction to the basic phonology and morphology of biblical Hebrew. This course or the equivalent is a prerequisite for Basic Hebrew II.
Professor: James Lee
Class Schedule: Thursdays 6:45-10:00 p.m.: Sept. 9, Sept. 16, Sept. 23, Sept. 30, Oct. 7, Oct. 14, Oct. 21, Oct. 28, Nov. 4, Nov. 11, Nov. 18, Dec. 2, Dec. 9
Textbooks: Cick here for textbook info
   
NT-1004 Introduction to Gospels and Acts (3 Units) - This course is an introduction to the canonical Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. We will begin with an introduction to major methodological issues in current Gospel scholarship and then explore these writings with a careful eye to their historical character, their literary character and their theological messages. Throughout our study we will be alert to the hermeneutical implications of the various methodologies employed. Our analysis will first focus on individual accounts, followed by comparisons of the individual account to one another and also to apocryphal Gospels and Acts in early Christian literature.
Professor: Judy Siker
Class Schedule: Tuesdays 6:45-10p.m.: Sept. 7, Sept. 14, Sept. 21, Sept. 28, Oct. 12, Oct. 26, Nov. 2, Nov. 23, Nov. 30, Dec. 7, Dec. 14
Saturdays, 9a.m.-noon and 2-5 p.m.: Nov. 13
Textbooks: Cick here for textbook info
 

Area II: Church History, Theology, Ethics
   
HM-1001 Fundamentals of Preaching (3 Units) - We respond to the call to preach with a potent mixture of dread and delight. This course seeks to calm those fears and deepen our enjoyment of the preaching endeavor, through a combination of conceptual and practical exercises. First, we will build a foundational theology of preaching through lectures and reading, considering key issues of context, exegesis of scripture, and pastoral identity. Then, we will use various assignments to strengthen skills in both writing and delivery. Students will have the opportunity to preach two sermons and receive feedback from their peers and the instructor. Students will also read and listen to a number of excellent sermons, as a further setting in which to reflect what makes a sermon effective.
Professor: Lisa Lamb
Class Schedule:
Mondays 6:45-10:00 p.m.: Sept. 13, Oct. 4, Oct. 11, Nov. 1, Nov. 8, Nov. 15, Dec.13
Saturdays 9-noon and 2-5 p.m.: Sept. 25, Oct. 23, Dec. 4
Textbooks: Cick here for textbook info
   
HS-1080 History I (3 Units) – Christianity from Jewish Sect To Colonial Religion, 100-1700. A study of Christianity from the second century through the Reformation. Introduction to its history in the Roman Empire, Central and East Asia, North Africa and Byzantine Empire. Closer examination of Christianity’s place in the development of Europe, from tribal societies to early modern states. Strong emphasis on the interpretation of historical texts in translation. SFTS Core Course. Online section of HS 1080 is primarily for students at SFTS in Pasadena. This online section will involve: 1) listening to audio files of each lecture, which will be posted on Moodle within 5 hours after each class session; 2) participating in a web-based discussion forum on Moodle, making at least one post each week to the weekly discussion topic; 3) participating in four video conferences using Moodle’s Web Meeting feature, one conference in the first week of class, one in the second week of class, one in late October, and one in early December and 4) submitting all written requirements electronically and/or completing the midterm and final exams online. To participate in this online section, students must have access to a high speed internet connection and a webcam with microphone. Please see http://moodle.gtu.edu for system requirements and http://sfts.edu/faculty/ocker/hs1080/hs1080.html to view course website.
Professor: Christopher Ocker
Class Schedule: Required Online meetings: Tuesday, Sept. 7, 8-9 p.m., Friday, Sept. 17, 7-9 p.m., Friday, Nov. 5, 7-9 p.m., Friday, Dec. 3, 7-9 p.m.
Textbooks: Cick here for textbook info
   
HS-2005 Disciples History and Polity (3 Units) – Study of the history, polity, and beliefs of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). This course fulfills the Disciples history requirement of the denomination.
Professor: Mark Parsons
Class Schedule: Online
Textbooks: Cick here for textbook info


Area III: Ministry, Spirituality, Social and Behavioral Studies
   
PS-1015 Pastoral Care and Counseling (3 Units) – This course is designed to introduce seminarians to the field of pastoral care and counseling. The context of the congregation is a dynamic, multicultural society and world. The resources of contemporary psychology, especially family systems theory, personality theory, and therapeutic theories and methods, will be deployed to sensitize students to a variety of modes of understanding, healing, and intervention. Recent developments in multicultural studies, practical theology, and congregational studies inform our approach to systems of nurture, care, and discipline. The course utilizes diverse styles of teaching and learning: lectures, discussions, case studies, films, and intensive group experiences involving role-playing and feedback.
Professor: Gary Sattler
Class Schedule: Wednesdays 6:45-10:00 p.m.: Sept. 8, Sept. 29, Oct. 13, Oct. 20, Oct. 27, Nov. 17, Dec.15
Saturdays 9 a.m.-noon and 2-5 p.m.: Sept. 18, Nov. 6, Dec.11
Textbooks: Cick here for textbook info
   
LSFT-2225 Reformed Worship & Sacraments (3 Units) – This course begins with a history of Christian worship with a special focus on the reformations of the 16th century. A theology of worship, including sacramental theology, is presented helping students to place themselves theologically and historically in a conversation about Reformed worship and sacraments. Students will get practice in planning and leading worship, writing prayers and celebrating the sacraments. The PCUSA Directory for Worship and the Book of Common Worship (1993) will be used. Students from other denominations will be able to discover and use resources from their traditions. Weddings, funerals and the place of music in worship will be discussed. Contemporary cultural contexts for worship will be explored.
Professor: Rebecca Prichard
Class Schedule: Wednesdays (meets in Tustin) 6:45-10 p.m.: Sept. 8, Sept. 22, Oct. 13, Oct. 20, Oct. 10, Oct. 8, Oct.15
Saturdays (meets in Pasadena) 9-noon and 2-5 p.m.: Oct. 2, Oct. 30, Oct. 20
Textbooks: Cick here for textbook info


Integrative Studies
   
FT-1060 Formation for Ministry (3 Units) – Formation for Ministry provides a communal learning experience to help entering students form generative frameworks for the course of theological education. Required for all entering M.Div. students, this first-half of ITM (Introduction to Ministry) will attend to reflecting theologically on vocational call, exploring and broadening concepts of ministry, and engaging in spiritual practices for cultivating the disciplines of a theologian and spiritual leader. The course begins with an overnight retreat (Sept 10-11) and includes a sexual ethics and boundaries workshop (Oct. 16).
Professor: Charlene Jin Lee
Class Schedule: Sept. 10-11 overnight retreat
Mondays 6:45-10 p.m.: Sept. 22, Sept. 27, Oct. 18, Oct. 25, Nov. 22, Nov. 29, Dec. 6
Saturdays 9 a.m.-noon and 2-5 p.m.: Oct. 16
Textbooks: Cick here for textbook info
   
FT-4002 Supervised Ministry Seminar (1.5 Units) – SMS is designed to support and guide students during the course of internships at arranged filed education sites. Through theological reflection on field education experiences, case studies, readings, and presentations, students contemplate philosophies of ministry, pastoral roles and identity, and congregational dynamics in that palpable “middle space,” where theological/biblical disciplines and practice of ministry converge. Incorporated into the fall class sessions is a sexual ethics and boundaries workshop (Oct. 16, 2010).
Professor: Charlene Jin Lee
Class Schedule: Tuesdays 6:45-10:00 p.m.: Oct. 5, Oct. 19, Nov. 9, Nov.23
Saturdays 9 a.m.-noon and 2-5 p.m.: Oct. 16
Textbooks: Cick here for textbook info

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