Integrative Courses

Biblical Studies | Christian Thought and Mission | Christian Ministries | Integrative Courses

INT 500. INTEGRATIVE SEMINAR
An integrative seminar for seniors that draws on seminary studies and ministry experience. Working in small groups and with faculty members, students will write personal statements of faith and develop theologies of ministry and mission, showing how these flow from their statements of faith. Prerequisites: CTM 501 and B 504. Must be a graduating senior or have enough units to be classified as a senior. Two units.

INT 501. SPIRITUAL FORMATION I
An experiential study of several traditional Christian spiritual disciplines. In partnership with course classmates, students will engage in reflection, readings, discussions, lectures, journaling and spiritual exercises intended to enable them to develop more conscious intentionality in their own spiritual formation, and that of the communities in which they minister. Two units. Nuzzolese/Burgie.

INT 505. THEOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND WRITING
In this course, M.Div. students will acquire those skills necessary to the writing of graduate level academic work. Attention is given to grammar, clarity and style. The format and documentation of scholarly writing are also addressed. Milburn/Wilson.

INT 510. ASSESSMENT I
Required of all M.Div. students and M.T.S. students concentrating in Christian Counseling. The purpose of this assessment is to evaluate the student's potential for effective ministry: (1) identifying strengths and weaknesses for ministry; (2) determining whether the student has the potential to complete a graduate degree program; (3) addressing potential academic and ministry deficiencies; and (4) initiating either appropriate remedial measures or termination procedures. Student Formation Office.

INT 512. ASSESSMENT II
The purpose of this phase is to monitor and evaluate readiness for ministry at about the two-thirds point of a student's M.Div. program. It is required of all M.Div. students but not of M.T.S. students, because several of the measurements involved are intended primarily for the professional degree. Prerequisite: INT 510. Student Formation Office.

INT 520. M.T.S. WRITING COURSE
Required of all entering M.T.S. students. This course focuses on skills needed for successful completion of all phases of scholarly research and writing. Areas covered include identification of a research topic, various methods of research, effective utilization of library resources and computer technology, critical thinking skills and appropriate format, style and documentation of scholarly writing. M. Keener.

INT 525. M.T.S. WRITERS' WORKSHOP
Required of all M.T.S. students. This workshop meets regularly to support development of a major research paper written in conjunction with a regular course taken during the same semester. The research project will be evaluated for evidence of ability to carry out a major research and writing project. Prerequisite: successful completion of M.T.S. Writing Course. M. Keener.

INT 530. M.DIV./M.S.W. INTERNSHIP SEMINAR
Required for two years of all M.Div./M.S.W. students, beginning with entry into the M.S.W. phase of the program. Focus will be on the personal and professional challenges of this degree program, integration of the participant's work and experiences in both degree programs, and the relationship of the church to social work. One unit each semester. Pizzuto-Pomaco.

INT 535. M.DIV./M.S.W. INTEGRATIVE WORKSHOP
Required of all M.Div./M.S.W. students in their final year of work. The main focus will be on developing and writing a major integrative research paper (40 to 50 pages for 2 units, or 80 to 100 pages for 4 units). The paper will demonstrate the student's ability to identify a particular issue in the life of society and/or the church, and integrate perspectives from social science and theological disciplines. One or two units each semester, depending upon the length of the paper. Pizzuto-Pomaco.

INT 601. PERSPECTIVES ON ADVANCED GRADUATE STUDIES
Designed as a forum for students considering further graduate studies to address issues that may arise before, during, and after the pursuit of a doctoral degree, this seminar aims at providing tools and reality checks for the discernment process. Topics for discussion will include academic, financial, social, vocational, spiritual, and familial challenges, as well as practical ways to navigate the system, maintain a balance for the long haul, and avoid the pitfalls that lead to dropping out. Faculty members of various fields who have recently gone through doctoral studies in different settings will be invited to share their experiences. Class discussions will be supplemented by additional readings. Grading is on a credit/no credit basis only. While open to all master level students, this course is required for MTS students who entered in Fall 2005 and are considering advanced graduate studies. One unit. Chen and M. Keener.

INT 602. THEOLOGY OF ROMANTIC LOVE
The word "love" is used in imprecise ways in present American culture. This fact becomes uniquely problematic when speaking imprecisely about the love of God. With what kind(s) of love does God love us? With what kind(s) of love ought we to love God, and one another? This course will examine one approach to answering these questions by placing the interpretation of the Song of Songs and related texts in biblical and historical theological perspective. It is anticipated that we will find that there is a lively biblical "theology of romantic love," and that an exploration of this theme may serve as a corrective on the one hand to stoic and on the other hand to sentimental understandings of divine-human and inter-human relationships. In essence, this course will be an exploration of covenant theology in its most intimate expression. May be taken to meet Bible or Theology elective. Two units. Brash.

INT 603. CASE STUDIES IN CHRISTIAN ACCOUNTABILITY
A perennial question for the churches has been: How shall we encourage Christians to "...lead a life worthy of the calling with which [we] have been called?" Throughout Church history, efforts have been made to preserve the Church as a holy people. Some of these efforts have been judged to be abusive; others have had more positive results. This course will examine selected case studies from the past and the present, in order to observe and critique the theology and practice of Christian accountability. Special attention will be paid to the applications of these insights to contemporary pastoral ministry, both local ministry and the broader context of jurisdictional associates. Theology or Bible elective. Two units. Brash.

INT 606. SOCIO-POLITICAL GENESIS OF THE ANABAPTIST MOVEMENT
There have always been Christians who thought to return to their New Testament roots, regardless of the cost. The Anabaptist Movement of the 16th century was a movement of the people, born in the cities of Europe and committed to the radical following of Jesus Christ. What are the roots of Anabaptists and what does its vision have to say to a multicultural, urbanizing world? Two units. Greiser & Wallace.

INT 607. INTERSEMINARY SEMINAR
Each year in the fall semester, students from several Protestant and Roman Catholic seminaries take part in a seminar. The topics vary and are usually interdisciplinary subjects chosen by students and faculty representatives. By invitation only. Two units. Faculty representatives from participating seminaries.

SINT 600 (SUMMER INTENSIVE). SEMINARY SUCCESS SEMINAR
Develop personal strategies for success in difficult but related areas that affect you and your family - tending to your spiritual journey, and juggling multiple financial demands. Get practical, hands-on help taking inventory of your spiritual and financial resources and developing immediate, realistic goals in each area. Hear from experts and seasoned practitioners. Course lasts one week; learning can last a lifetime. No prerequisites and no pre-class assignments. One unit. Burgie/Stout.