Academic Catalog 2010-2011 - Union Presbyterian Seminary

Union Presbyterian Seminary Academic Catalog 2010-2011Practical Theology (Required Courses)PRA102 Introduction to Pastoral Care. In any form of ministry, the pastor faces multiple demands forhelp in situations of death, divorce, aging, reactions to job stress, and more. This course introduces the studentto basic resources that are available to assist in the ministry of pastoral care, provides an opportunity to developpastoral skills in a clinical setting, and encourages students to begin the process of integrating theory and practiceinto a sense of pastoral identity.Fall 2009, Spring 2010.COURSESPRA103 Preaching and Worship. Prerequisite: M.Div.–New Testament I or Old Testament I (New Testament IIor Old Testament II recommended but not required); M.Div. with advanced standing–Elementary Greek II or Hebrew II.This basic introductory course draws upon biblical and traditional resources to help students understand thetheology of proclamation and worship. Students learn to plan worship services and to prepare and present sermons,and they serve as evaluators and colleagues to one another. It is strongly recommended that this course not betaken until the second or third year of the M.Div. program because of its interdisciplinary nature.Fall 2009, Spring 2010.Practical Theology (Elective Courses)PRA104 Evangelism in the Congregation. Evangelism is routinely defined in limited terms. Some narrowthe focus to proclamation of the gospel, some to practical strategies for church growth, and some to the personalsharing of one’s faith with others. Our conception of evangelism leads directly to our practice of evangelism.This class will explore various concepts of evangelism with the goal of expanding the student’s biblical,theoretical, and practical understanding of this field of ministry in order to develop strategies for evangelism inthe local church. It is hoped that students from various theological persuasions will participate in lively class discussionsbased on assigned readings and experiences in local congregations.TBA.PRA105 Death and Dying. This course seeks to equip students in preaching, teaching, and pastoral care tothe dying and the bereaved. Students are expected to construct a Reformed theology of death. In addition, studentswill be exposed to the psycho-dynamics of grief and to a systematic approach for caring for the family ofthe dying.May 2011, January 2012.PRA109 Ministry in an Addictive Society. This course focuses on the peculiar addiction of alcoholism aspresented in family life. Students are exposed to a variety of twelve-step programs, modern research into the psycho-dynamicsof addiction, and the church’s ministry to the families of active and recovering alcoholics.Spring 2012.PRA112 Presbyterian Polity. This course is designed for students who plan to serve as ordained ministersin the Presbyterian Church (USA). Polity and administration are integral to functioning effectively as a pastor,both in the local congregation and throughout the governing bodies of the church. This course deals with thebiblical, historical, and theological bases of church polity and administration, as well as theoretical and practicaldimensions. Particular emphasis is placed upon governance and worship issues related to preparation for the ordinationexaminations in church polity and the sacraments.Spring 2011, 2012.PRA114 Women as Preacher, Prophets, and Priests. This course examines women as preachers, womenas leaders of ecclesial movements, and the struggle of women for ordination, both in historical dimension andcontemporary expression.TBA.3-15