ACADEMIC CATALOG - Luther Seminary

EL3528Adult Development and Christian LifeA study of the research on socio-psychological development ofadults and how it relates to their changing understanding of religionand spirituality. In particular, students explore the implications ofthis research for the design of effective strategies for adult educationand faith formation, as well as theological challenges to andcritiques of this research.Prerequisite: EL1515 Education I or EL4522 Foundations ofEducational LeadershipHalf courseEL3530 Religious Education in Relation to CreationA study of the educational issues raised by emerging environmentalawareness, particularly in relation to questions of stewardship andjustice. This course focuses on two primary contexts, the rural andthe urban, considering specific examples of ways in which Christianeducators can support congregational learning and ministry thatembraces ecological literacy.Prerequisite: EL1515 Education I or EL4522 Foundations ofEducational LeadershipHalf courseEL3531 The Grammar of DiscipleshipAn exploration of the practice of Christian discipleship in NorthAmerica in the twenty-first century. Areas covered are biblicalnarratives of discipleship, classical models and contemporarypractices. Particular attention is given to a careful reading ofDietrich Bonhoeffer’s Discipleship and collaboration on Christiandiscipleship with young adults.Prerequisite: EL1515 Education I or EL4522 Foundations ofEducational LeadershipHalf courseEL3532 Contemporary Issues in Religious EducationThis is a directed reading/seminar collaboration course. Studentsindividually choose from a short list of pressing religious educationchallenges and read the bibliography associated with that challenge.They then meet in plenary session at predetermined times duringthe term with a faculty member who helps them to teach eachother what they have learned about a specific challenge and seekinsight from each other in meeting the identified challenge. Thiscourse may be taken more than once for credit.Prerequisite: EL1515 Education I or EL4522 Foundations ofEducational LeadershipHalf courseEL3533 Women in MinistryThis seminar provides critical reflection on the practice of ministryin light of current feminist thought and experience. Lectures anddiscussions focus on providing educational leadership in thefollowing areas: Lutheran perspectives on ministry, the authorityand office of the clergy, structures and power in the church,worship and preaching, spirituality and pastoral care, andcounseling by and for women.Prerequisite: EL1515 Education I or EL4522 Foundations ofEducational LeadershipHalf courseEL3534 Lutheran Nurture and SpiritualityA survey of edifying classics, which were highly regarded inLutheran homes as families took on the task of religious education.Luther’s Small Catechism, devotional books, hymnals, and songbooks; Johan Arndt, Pia Desideria, Rosenius, Hallesby are studied.In some cases, novels and films such as “Buddenbrooks” and“Babbette’s Feast” are used to teach how a piety was lived andexperienced in its own time.Prerequisite: EL1515 Education I or EL4522 Foundations ofEducational LeadershipHalf courseEL3535 Creative WritingAcknowledging the crucial role hymns have played in religiouseducation, this creative writing course invites participants to studyhymn texts as a literary and educational genre. Students learn avariety of forms and then write their own texts which are discussedby the class in a workshop setting.Prerequisite: EL1515 Education I or EL4522 Foundations ofEducational LeadershipHalf courseEL3536 Theologies of ChildhoodThis course focuses on Christian theological understanding ofchildhood by examining changing views of “the child” acrossvarious historical periods and in the works of selected theologians,educators, and other significant thinkers. It considers contemporarypsychological, sociological and educational theories aboutchildhood that inform current theologies of childhood, as we lookat the dual questions of how the church educates children and howto educate the church to care for/advocate for children.Prerequisite: EL1515 Education I or EL4522 Foundations ofEducational LeadershipHalf courseEL3537 Children of Many Cultures and ContextsThis course explores the complicated process of supporting healthyfaith formation with children from a variety of cultures andcontexts. Special focus will be given to educational issues arisingaround immigration, multiculturalism and physical and/or learningdisabilities, among other challenges routinely faced by children.Prerequisite: EL1515 Education I or EL4522 Foundations ofEducational LeadershipHalf course104LU T H E R S E M I N A RY | 2009-2011 AC A D E M I C C ATA LO G