GTUS Courses (2009-2010)

Fall 2009

SCUPE S-H 307: Eco-Justice: A Vision for a Sustainable City

The course will develop a holistic vision for a sustainable city as an outworking of the concept of shalom, a just peace.  The course will evaluate the three components of sustainable community development: the three E's of economics, environment and equity (or social justice).  Participants will xplore the course topic via readings, panel discussions and site visits.  Students will have the option of exploring key issues such as energy policy, food production, environ-mental justice and pollution and how these challenges relate to the central course themes.  Central to the course is the question, "What does it mean to be a sustainable urban community?"

Credit: 3 semester hours

Faculty : Dr. Clinton Stockwell     

Course Schedule: October 2-3, 16-17, 23-24 (Fridays 1-9 p.m., Saturdays 9am-5pm)

 

SCUPE S-H 303: Public Issues in Urban Ministry

For those living in major metropolitan areas, there are critical issues affecting the quality of life. This ourse provides an in-depth examination of the believer's role as an agent of social analysis, public theology and a leader in transformational ministry, specifically in relation to the public realities of city life.

Credit: 3 semester hours

Faculty : Dr. Ron Peters       

Course Schedule: Nov. 6-7, 13-14, 20-21 (Fridays 1-9pm; Saturdays 9am-5pm)

RSS Religion in Society Studies

Winter/Spring 2010

SCUPE M 305: Dimensions and Dynamics of Urban Ministry

Organized as a sequence of city-wide experiential learning opportunities, the course introduces students to congregations and faith-based organizations that bring good news through prophetic ministry. Students have the opportunity to engage in dialogue with urban ministry leaders who offer vision, courage and hope. Course methodology includes contextual experience, theological reflection, social analysis and dialogue with significant church leaders and the instructor.

Credit : 3 semester hours

Faculty: Dr. Yvonne Delk   

Course Schedule: Jan 4-8, 11-15 (9am-5pm)

MS I. Nature and Practice of Ministry

 

SCUPE B-Th 302: Urban Principalities and the Spirit of the City

Drawing from the ground-breaking theological work on the biblical language of "principalities and powers", this course examines the spiritual realities foundational to understanding and transforming the social, economic and political structures of our urban world.

Credit : 3 semester hours

Faculty : Dr. Bill Wylie-Kellermann

Course Schedule: Feb 5-6, 12-13, 19-20 (Fridays 1-9pm; Saturdays 9am-5pm)

TS III. Topics in Theology (Cross list MS I, RSS)

SCUPE M 304: Christology and Culture

Employing a narrative hermeneutic, this course explores Christology from a global, cultural and liberation perspective - and its significance for urban ministry. The course cultivates an understanding and appreciation of the diversity of cultural images and models used to elaborate the meaning of Jesus throughout history.

Through theological and historical analysis, students engage in an in-depth study of the meaning of Christ's life-death-resurrection for his contemporaries, the early church and specifically for this present time in history

Credit: 3 semester hours.

Faculty: Dr. Jim Perkinson

Course Schedule: March 12-13, Mar 19-20, 26-27 (Fridays 1-9pm; Saturdays 9am-5pm)

TS III. Topics in Theology (Cross list: NT III)

SCUPE M 306: The Art of Prophetic Preaching in the Urban Context
To effectively preach the gospel in the contemporary urban context requires an urban social insight and theoretical framework. This, along with the biblical and theological framework of prophetic imagination, allows space for a kind of playful energy that has the potential to both delight and shock the listener out of stuck thinking and places and also kindles and strengthens hope. We will apply the language and homiletical tools and resources of the arts, including popular culture, to describe both the social context of urban life and the preached word.
Credit: 3 semester hours
Faculty: Dr. David Frenchak and Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, III
Course Schedule: April 9-10, 16-17, 23-24 (Fridays 1-9pm; Saturdays 9-5pm)
MS V. Preaching and Communication

 

SCUPE S-H 305: Restoring Urban Communities

Field-based in one of the nation's premier Christian community development organizations, this course introduces the principles and practices of congregational-based community development. It examines the relationship between biblical faith and community development practice through site visits to exceptional Chicago development models, and identifies the leadership competencies, organizing principles, skills and resources necessary for an asset-based approach to sustainable community building.

Credit: 3 semester hours.

Faculty: Dr. Mary Nelson         

Course Schedule : May 7-8, 14-15, 21-22 (Fridays 1-9pm; Saturdays 9am-5pm)

RSS Religion and Society Studies

SCUPE Supervised Ministry Practicum

Required for students actively engaged in a ministry internship, the practicum focuses on personal formation for ministry by integrating work in the ministry setting with SCUPE's academic curriculum. Using a case study approach, it provides a forum for faith sharing, personal self-awareness of gifts and skills for ministry, theological reflection on experience, and peer group reflection on actual ministry in response to the Gospel. It is also the course vehicle for SCUPE's full-time internship field education/ministry credit. Credit varies by seminary.

Schedule: TBA

 

Summer 2010

 

SCUPE M 302: Cross Cultural Ministry Intensive

The world has come to the city. Using the city as a global classroom, this two-week intensive provides students with a practical theology for ministry in a multicultural context, engages biblical study of the early church's struggle with cultural barriers, encourages respect and appreciation of world-views and value systems different from one's own, offers anti-racism training, builds skills in movement and communication across cultural divides, and exposes students directly to a wide variety of ministries in diverse cultural settings.

Credit: 3 semester hours.

Faculty: Cynthia Milsap           

Course Schedule : June 7-11, 14-18 (9am-5pm)

MS I Nature and Practice of Ministry

 

SCUPE Supervised Ministry Practicum     

Required for students actively engaged in a summer ministry internship, the practicum focuses on personal formation for ministry by integrating work in the ministry setting with SCUPE's summer academic curriculum. Using a case study approach, it provides a forum for faith sharing, personal self-awareness of gifts and skills for ministry, theological reflection on experience, and peer group reflection on actual ministry in response to the Gospel. It is also the course vehicle for SCUPE's full-time summer internship field education/ministry credit.

Credit varies by seminary.

Schedule : TBA     

To register for any of the above courses, please contact Dody Finch, Registrar at the SCUPE office, (312) 726-1200, dody@scupe.com.