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An asterisk (*) indicates that the course fulfills core area requirements for the Master of Arts program.
January Intersession 2009
While we will make every effort to hold to this schedule, it is subject to change. Please refer back to this website or to the official semester course brochure for up-to-date information before registering.
DI-650 Building Abrahamic Partnerships
Landau - Sunday, January 11 through Sunday, January 18 Intensive schedule, includes some evenings)
This eight-day intensive training program offers a practical foundation for mutual understanding and cooperation among Jews, Christians, and Muslims. Participants learn about the tenets and practices of the three faiths, study texts from their respective scriptures together, attend worship at a mosque, synagogue, and church, and acquire pastoral skills useful in interfaith ministry. Combining the academic and the experiential, the course includes ample time for socializing over meals and during breaks. Building on Hartford Seminary’s strengths as an interfaith, dialogical school of practical theology, this team-taught program is a resource for religious leaders who are grounded in their own traditions while open to the faith orientations of other communities. Due to the interfaith nature of this course, we aim for equal representation among each of the three Abrahamic traditions in admitting students to this course.
Winter/Spring Semester 2009
ARTS OF MINISTRY (AM)
AM-608 Genesis Stories for Practical Preaching
Fuchs - Wednesdays from 9:30-12:30 a.m.
The marvelous stories of Genesis are a source for spiritual enrichment and inspiration for practitioners of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. In this seminar we shall discuss in depth essential religious ideas that these stories yield. Then we shall explore – with respect for religious diversity – how we might use them as the basis for messages that are both intellectually honest and spiritually uplifting. In addition to attaining a thorough knowledge of Genesis’ content, each student will be asked to prepare two pulpit-type messages for the class’s edification and critique.
(AM-653) Mental Health: An Islamic Perspective NEW
ONLINE
This course will familiarize students with the basic concepts of mental illness to facilitate their communication with multidisciplinary teams including both health and mental health professionals, and help them to gain an awareness of the cultural factors particular to the Muslim community. Students will obtain skills including when to make referrals and how to approaching individuals in a mental health treatment context. Hamada Hamid, Adjunct Professor of Arts of Ministry and Fellow, Institute for Social Policy and Understanding. He is co-author of the forthcoming “Treating Muslims: An Interdisciplinary Primer”
AM-662 Congregational Conflict Resolution
Peers - Tuesdays from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. on January 27; February 10; March 3; March 31; April 29 (Make-Up Day if needed May 12)
How we respond to differences and to conflict in congregations and other organizations can help to sustain health and vitality within the congregation even in turbulent times. In this course, we will explore practical theories for understanding congregational conflict as well as looking at various practices of conflict transformation. Students will be expected to do some reflection on their own styles (using a few inventories) as well as discerning different levels of conflict and ways of responding. We will also use practices of dialogue and deliberation for interpersonal, small group and congregational settings.
AM-638 Essential Skills in Pastoral Counseling and Ministry
Watts - Tuesdays from 4:30-6:50
This course will offer pastors, lay ministers and caregivers an opportunity to learn basic counseling skills for use in pastoral settings. Students will develop skills in assessment, honoring ethical concerns and addressing the most common diagnoses such as depression and anxiety. Attention will be given to clarifying the differences between pastoral care and pastoral counseling. Issues of referral to professional mental health resources and community agencies also will be addressed.
DIALOGUE (DI)
DI-501 Understanding Islam: Rumor and Reality ONLINE
Argon
This course is an introduction to the Islamic faith, intended for those from other traditions. It is designed to meet the growing need for basic information about Islam. It will cover Islamic beliefs and practices, issues faced by Muslims living in the West, the role of women in Islam, and current efforts at Muslim-Christian dialogue. (Fall 2008)
DI-691 Christians and Muslims: Is There Anything More To Be Said? NEW
Smith - Thursdays from 4:30-6:50 p.m.
Some long-time participants in Christian-Muslim dialogue feel that theological exchange is at a stalemate and should no longer be pursued. In this course we will examine historical and contemporary theological reflections on dialogue with the other, Muslim and Christian, and will consider possible new avenues of interfaith conversation. Prerequisite: a course in Christian-Muslim relations/dialogue or permission of the instructor.
DM-711 D.Min. Colleague Seminar I, Part II (Required)
Nieman - Mondays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on January 27; February 9; March 2; March 30; April 28; (Make-Up Day if needed May 11)
A continuation of DM-710 D.Min. Colleague Seminar I, Part I
DM-721 D.Min. Colleague Seminar II, Part II (Required)
Roozen - Mondays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on January 27; February 9; March 2; March 30; April 28; (Make-Up Day if needed May 11)
The spring semester of the second year colleague group directs its full attention to students’ major project proposals. A variety of organizational change interventions and models are explored; each student prepares and shares a literature review in the anticipated substantive area of his or her major project; and each student prepares and shares a draft of a major project proposal, this draft also serving as a student’s major paper for the seminar.
DM-795 Ministry Project Colloquium (no credit - Recommended)
Tyson - Mondays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on January 27; March 2 and April 28
Students who have successfully completed Colleague Seminars I and II and at least four of the six elective courses may enroll in the Ministry Project Colloquium. The Colloquium, which will meet periodically during the year, will provide a supportive environment for the preparation of ministry project proposals, the execution of ministry projects, and the writing of ministry project final reports. The Colloquium, while highly recommended for those working on their ministry project, is not required. The Colloquium carries no tuition or fee; however, students participating in the Colloquium who are not registered for either courses or the Ministry Project in any given semester will be required to register for a Program Extension or Program Continuation and pay the relevant fee.
ETHICS (ET)
ET-546 Theological Ethics and Public Life*
Gehman - Tuesdays from 7:00-9:20 p.m.
Ethics involves examining life in an attempt to interpret what is going on. Theological ethics undertakes this examination with the conviction that all things exist in relation to God. In this course we will survey models of our common life that have prevailed in western Christianity in the modern period, reflect on the religious symbols, stories, practices and habits by which we make sense of what is going on in public life, and consider what possibilities exist for fostering a civil society. Issues to be considered include religion and politics, human rights, war and revolution, and the treatment of animals.
ET-661 Life Together: Ethics in a Religiously Plural World* NEW
Hadsell Tuesdays from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. on January 27; February 10; March 3; March 31; April 29 (Make-Up Day if needed May 12)
This course focuses on ethical issues provoked by the life we lead together. It will examine such questions as how one goes about building bridges from one set of ethical assumptions to another; what must be agreed upon between religious communities in order to live in the same ethical universe, and what they can agree to disagree on; the different conceptions of what the moral responsibility is of one religious community for those within it who are physically distant, and how it views its responsibility for those outside its boundaries. The course will also look at the ethical resources in several religious communities related to central moral issues of our day such as global warming.
HISTORY (HI)
HI-641 Major Historical Figures: Ibn Taymiyya*
Mondays from 7:00-9:20 p.m. starting January 26th
Michot
This course explores the life, ideas, influence and image of one of the most fascinating—and controversial—thinkers of classical Islam: the Mamlûk mufti and theologian Taqî al-Dîn Ibn Taymiyya. Already considered qualified to give fatwas at 17 years old, he fought the Mongols and, also, innovating or dissident Muslims, dialogued with a crusader king and pushed for the destruction of churches, opposed al-Ghazâlî and Ibn ‘Arabî but commented on Aristotle, al-Hallâj and Avicenna, forbade the veneration of graves and defended women’s rights… Repeatedly jailed for his fiercely independent way of remaining theologically faithful to the Qur’ân and the Sunna, he died in a prison cell of the citadel of Damascus in 1328. Ibn Taymiyya left his mark on later Islamic reformist spirituality, puritanism or extremism, from Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya to the Ottoman Mehmed Birgivi or, even, modern Islamism and Osama Ben Laden. The texts read in this course will hopefully contribute to a correct understanding of his ideas and actions, as this is not just a medieval affair but is of direct relevance for our time. No knowledge of Arabic is required for this course. Some background information about the history of the Middle East since the Crusades would be useful. Bibliographical references will be provided.
LANGUAGE (LG)
LG-562 Introduction to New Testament Greek, Part II
Duffy - Tuesdays from 4:30-6:50 p.m.
A continuation of LG-561, Introduction to New Testament Greek, Part I. Pre-requisite: LG-561 or permission of the instructor.
LG-652 Readings in the Greek New Testament, Part II
Duffy - Schedule to be determined
A continuation of LG-651, Readings in the Greek New Testament. Prerequisite: LG-651 or permission of the instructor.
LG-581 Introduction to Arabic Morphology and Syntax
Gouda - Wednesdays from 4:30-6:5 p.m.
Vernacular Arabic will be the focus of this course, with an accent on all four linguistic areas of language learning: oral, aural, reading, and listening. Basic sentence and phrase structures will be highlighted while a vocabulary of several hundred words will be built. Assumes a prior knowledge of the Arabic phonology and script. Prerequisite: LG-580, or permission of the instructor.
LG-651 Intermediate Arabic, Part II
Blackburn - Mondays and Wednesdays from 4:30-5:40 p.m.
This course is designed for participants to consolidate their knowledge of Arabic. Prerequisite: LG-650 or permission of the instructor.
PHD-701 Research Methodology and Scholarly Development II
Faculty - Thursdays from 1:15-4:15 p.m.
This course is a continuation of PHD-700, Research Methodology and Scholarly Development I. Enrollment limited to Ph.D. students.
RELIGION AND SOCIETY (RS)
RS-668 Contemporary Religious Trends*
Thumma - Thursdays from 4:30-6:50 p.m.
The contemporary religious world is in a rapid state of flux. With increasing urbanization/suburbanization, emigrating populations and technological advances all adding to continual mission activities, the spiritual contours of the globe are undergoing significant shifts. This course will focus mostly on the pluralistic situation in North America but will also intentionally trace the major socio-spiritual transitions taking place in world religions throughout the globe. The course will reflect on how these changes are making a profound difference in how all faith communities practice their religions.
RS-690 Pagans, Witches and/or Christians* NEW - ONLINE
Lummis
The course centers on a sociological study of contemporary paganism, witchcraft and other earth-based faiths and practices, examining how these intertwine with one another and with Christian churches in their beliefs and rituals. Can modern-day, Druid religion, Goddess Worship, Paganism, Shamanism, and Wicca be considered real religions or are these more fluid movements swirling through related religious networks? To what extent do adherents of one of these earth-based sects who worship in groups or covens have distinctive beliefs and rituals that differentiate them from one another and most Christian congregations? Neo-Pagan focused congregations and smaller groups are incorporated relatively smoothly within the theologically liberal, pluralistic Unitarian Universalists. Goddess spirituality has also seeped into the historic Christian denominations, albeit informally and with greater resistance from churches. What portends in the next decades for pagan theology and practices?
SCRIPTURE (SC)
SC-520 Hebrew Bible Survey II*
Adjunct - Tuesdays from 7:00-9:20 p.m.
An introduction to the Hebrew Scriptures, this course will apply historical-critical methods of study to develop a framework for understanding the origins of the texts and the relationship of the texts to one another. Attention will be given to contemporary theories of biblical interpretation. Survey II will examine the prophetic corpus, poetry wisdom and the rest of “the writings” in the Hebrew Bible.
SC-531 New Testament Survey*
Agosto - Thursdays 7:00-9:20 p.m.
This course introduces students to the study of the origins of Christianity by means of its canonical literature, the New Testament. We will undertake a historical study of the New Testament documents, seeking to understand their plan, origin, purpose and content within their broader historical and cultural context. Appropriate interpretive method for each genre of the New Testament will be discussed. We will also seek to clarify the theological message of each document in light of its historical circumstances.
SC-690 Reading Arabic Tafsir* NEW
Ayoub - Tuesdays from 4:30-6:50 p.m.
This is a survey course of Arabic Qur'an tafsirs. We will examine the development of tafsir literature, explore its sub-genres and representative tafsirs from various schools of Islamic thought. Prerequisite: Third-year Arabic or its equivalent.
THEOLOGY (TH)
TH-501 The History of Christian Theology: From the Rise of Christianity to the Middle Ages* NEW
Cobb - Thursdays from 7:00-9:20 p.m.
This course examines the development of western Christian reflection from the early church through the Middle Ages. Attention will be given to the Council of Nicaea, Augustine, Celtic monasticism, Pope Gregory, the secrets of the “Dark Ages,” Anselm, the Crusades, Francis of Assisi, Thomas Aquinas, the Scholastics, late medieval mysticism and the early Renaissance. Key texts will be read and considered in light of their surrounding social and intellectual milieus.
SPIRITUALITY, LITURGY AND WORSHIP (WS)
WS-553 Women’s Leadership Institute* (6 credits)
Winter - Fridays from 6-9 p.m. and Saturdays from 9-4 p.m. on January 23-24; February 27-28; March 27-28; April 24-25 and May 15-16
This continuation of the year-long six credit course in leadership and applied spirituality rooted in women’s experience and from a feminist perspective continues through May and requires a separate admissions process. Students interested in enrolling in next year’s class should contact the Admissions Office at 860-509-9512.
WS-624 Practical Kabbalah: Jewish Mysticism, Meditation, and Morality* NEW
Landau - Wednesdays from 7:00-9:20 p.m.
This course will explore various aspects of Jewish spirituality and their interconnection: how mystical interpretations of the Hebrew Bible (in the Zohar) influence our understanding of Scripture; how the observance of commandments relates to the interior life of the heart and soul; theoretical and practical aspects of Kabbalah, including meditative exercises; and the implications of Jewish mysticism for tikkun olam, the mending of our broken world. How these insights might impact on Jewish-Christian-Muslim relations will also be addressed—are there affinities on the mystical level that can be tapped for interreligious peacemaking? (Note: to get the most out of this course, WS-623 or a similar introduction to Jewish spirituality is highly recommended.)
