Teaching Interfaith Relations to Doctor of Ministry (D.Min) Students
I just returned from a one week teaching intensive for doctor of ministry students at the Unification Theological Seminary at its beautiful campus on the Hudson River near Kingston.
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| Scene from my window |
The environment was idyllic covered in the deep snows of our season in this beautiful part of the world.
The course is designed to support adult
students who cannot interrupt life and work while pursuing their
degree. The teaching intensive week means that all class time is
covered in just five days. Instead of meeting the usual 3 hours a
week, the professor and the students manage a full forty hours of
lectures in just 5 days.
The 15 week course then includes
several weeks of “pre-intensive” consultation and preparation, as
well as post-intensive work needed to complete course requirements
for evaluation (in this case a final thesis).
The course is entitled:
Contemporary
Issues and Needs in Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations.
The purpose of the course is for students:
- To establish the foundation for clear leadership in the fields of interfaith, conflict resolution, and peace activism.
- To become agents capable of effecting enduring, positive change through applying proven dynamics for peace and reconciliation.
- To be able to critically assess and review interfaith and ecumenical initiatives, make effective recommendations for improvement, and be able to engage and work collaboratively with “fellow-traveler” groups.
The
lecture schedule for each day was:
Monday:
Introduction, overview, intensive week schedule, and course design
Tuesday: The
elements of society and their structure and dynamics
Wednesday: The
elements of religious life and belief
Thursday: The
elements, dynamics, schedules, and varieties of conflict resolution
and reconciliation
Friday: Religion in
transition, the future of religion and spirituality in technological
age
The students were
engaged and responsive.
I will try to
organize the lecture content and present it systematically in
appropriate places on line.
Thank you for your
support
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