Catalogue 2008 Book - Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

church life in Germany and Switzerland are included in the seminar. Readings focus on the
pioneering work of each theologian. Six credits. Mr. Jensen
THE RELIGIONS AND CULTURES OF INDIA
In this travel seminar students experience, explore, and refl ect on the rich religious diversity
and complexity of the land of India. We witness wealth and poverty, a profusion of religious
expression, a modern state and a third world country, and myriad signs of globalization and
traditionalism. We visit holy sites of the main religious traditions present in India–-Hinduism,
Islam, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, and Christianity. We study the Indian view of a secular
state, the possibilities and limits of political and religious pluralism, and the particular forms
of Christianity in its Indian context, including Dalit and other Indian theologies. Sites visited
include the ancient Malabar Church, the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort, and Fatehpur Sikri, among
others. Six credits. Mr. A. Jones
TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
This travel seminar explores the culture and religious diversity of the Republic of Trinidad and
Tobago (T&T), two tropical islands off the coast of Venezuela. In “T&T” we meet leaders
and families from the major religious communities - Hindu (20%), Catholic (30%), Muslim
(6%) and Presbyterian (3%), as well as people from other smaller communities - Methodists,
Pentecostals, Shouter Baptists, Rastas, indigenous Caribs, African Obeah, and the Cult of
Shango. Our Presbyterian hosts introduce us to the nature and rhythms of ministry in the
T&T context with the complexities of intermarriage, conversion and syncretism. We study
the heritage of slavery and colonialism as well as the impact of North American culture. We
explore the natural diversity of hills, swamps and beaches, and the musical heritage of calypso
and the steel pan. Mr. Bodman
OTHER ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES
DUAL-DEGREE PROGRAM IN SOCIAL WORK
Austin Seminary and the School of Social Work at The University of Texas at Austin
have established a dual-degree program of study that provides master’s-level students
the opportunity to complete requirements for two degrees concurrently: the Master
of Divinity (MDiv) and Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW). The program is
designed to be completed in four years of full-time study. Upon completion, students
receive degrees from both institutions. Students must be accepted into both programs
independently, meeting each institution’s admission criteria. As much as possible,
the program of study will be tailored to meet students’ individual vocational needs
as approved by an oversight committee.
This agreement with The University of Texas at Austin provides resources that
extend Austin Seminary’s current offerings for students with particular interests
in non-traditional ministries, including agency-based social service, advocacy,
policy-oriented work, and clinical counseling. This program also provides added
resources for students planning to serve in more traditional ministry settings as
pastors or chaplains, including opportunities for enhancing understanding of, and
skills in, the following: negotiating concrete services related to the social welfare
system, public advocacy, programming assessment, community organizing, service
to organizations that set or infl uence public and/or ecclesiastical policy, and clinical
and community counseling.
This program is also a response to the growing demand for social workers to be
sensitive toward and profi cient in their understandings of their client’s religious and
spiritual lives, and also to work with faith-based communities to foster both individual
and community well being as they strive to alleviate critical social problems.
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OTHER ACADEMIC OPPORTUNITIES