Courses

• STH TT 956: Atheisms and Theologies
  The general aim of this course is learn about varieties of atheismâ??older â??classic atheism,â?? so-called â??new atheism" of recent years, and theologically inspired forms of atheismâ??and to understand the various theological responses to atheism. Questions of particular importance are: (1) How strong are traditional and new atheistic arguments? (2) Where does or should theology stand in relation to the arguments of atheism? (3) What are the origins of modern atheism? (4) Should postmodern mystical theologies and iconoclastic anti-anthropomorphic theologies that reject a determinate divine being be considered atheistic? If so how does this sort of atheism relate to other types? The class is intended for advanced masters students and doctoral candidates interested in contemporary theology and its conceptual roots in older theological debates. Classes will meet once a week on Wednesdays from 3:00 to 6:00. Each class will be conducted in the seminar discussion format with lectures given by the instructor as needed or requested. The 800-level version of this course counts (1) as an MTS Core Concentration course for Science and Religion, for Theology, and for Area B; and (2) as an MDiv Theology 3 Core Elective. It may also count (3) as a requirement for a BTI Certificate program in science and religion. The main product of the course will be a research paper on some aspect of the course material (50%; 3,000 words for 800-level students, 5,000 words for 900-level students). There will also be several 1,500-word reviews of books and articles presented in class (30%). The remainder of the grade (20%) will be based on the quality of seminar participation, including attendance, timeliness, and discussion. Incompletes are not allowedâ??except when they are; paperwork is necessary. Plagiarism is not allowedâ??ever. Know the rules.
• STH TT 966: Fem/Womani Theo
  
• STH TT 974: Religious Experience
  This seminar is a multidisciplinary study of religious experience, drawing on philosophy, theology, literature, psychology, sociology, the cognitive sciences, and the neurosciences. An advanced research seminar, this course presumes significant background knowledge in theology and philosophy and is designed for doctoral students. Advanced master's students can participate with the permission of the instructor.
• STH TT 998: Theolgy & Traum
  
• STH TY 704: Introduction to Pastoral Care and Counseling
  This course introduces a method of pastoral care as practical theology. Students will learn to assess the experiences of loss, violence, and addiction reflected in pastoral care conversations. They will use theological, psychological, and cultural studies to reflect upon these issues of loss or violence, and develop theologically based strategies of care and justice.
• STH TY 803: The Psychology of Religion
  Examining methodological questions and issues in the psychological interpretation of religious matters by considering what is meant by 'religion' and what is involved in interpreting 'religion' psychologically.
• STH TY 806: Theories of Human Development
  Human Development Course Description: The goal of this course is to achieve an understanding of the human developmental process and how that process integrates the growth of faith and the life of the community. We will use a series of theoretical readings, broader lectures by the professor, and selected autobiographies to apply theory. As our experiences provide excellent laboratory data, there will be various opportunities to examine our own life processes as a way of seeing theory in action. Course Objectives: By the end of the class, students should: - know the primary developmental theories, including psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, social learning, faith development and be able to identity of variety of lesser used theories - be able to critique developmental theories using the insights of feminist theory, studies in racism and sexual identity, and the reality of globalization - be able to apply theory to case material - discuss the relationship of human development and community context
• STH TY 811: Object Relations and the Study of Religion
  Achieving familiarity with and fluency in a series of psychoanalytic theories of personality/character, development, relationships, motivation, health, and pathology, as a context in which to practice psychoanalytic interpretations of religious matters.
• STH TY 814: Womanist Psychologies of Religion
  This seminar course will "engage womanist theology and ethics, womanist pastoral and practical theology for their embedded psychologies of religion. We will examine psychological aspects of Black women's religious experience in the U.S. Of particular interest will be the place, relationship and significance of black religious experience as a particular(ized) cultural psychological construction and experience. Additionally, we will take up for consideration the theological basis for articulating a womanist psychology of religion, and the argument that womanist epistemology, theological anthropology as well as practical and pastoral theologies are embedded in psychological dynamics and require an explicit articulation of a (psychoanalytic) psychology of religion.
• STH TY 821: Psychoanalysis of/and Spirituality
  Examines the growing engagement between psychoanalysis and spirituality. Historically this has been contested ground with psychoanalytic theorists having little regard for religion and spirituality beyond the realm of a psychological interpretation. Over the last two decades, this has shifted and a number of works have been either written about psychoanalysis as spirituality; psychoanalyst's spiritual practices, and/or psychoanalysis of spirituality. The emphasis of these conversations has resulted in conferences dedicated to the topic as well as psychoanalysts specializing in spirituality. The impact on studies in spirituality has produced a more conscious interest in the relevance of psychodynamic perspectives of spirituality and spiritual direction. This course takes these shifts up while resisting the temptation to collapse the distinctions.
• STH TY 826: Psychodynamics of Marriage and Family
  This is an introductory course that includes a comprehensive overview of the field of family systems and family therapy. This course will serve as an introduction to the theory and techniques of couples and family therapy. An attempt will be made to integrate theory and practice through assignments, class activities, and personal and professional self-reflection. Students will have the opportunity to reflect upon how they might actually use course content professionally in their respective disciplines.
• STH TY 842: Pastoral Psychology of Healing
  Every person, in her or his personal relationships and professional activities, is guided by a complex, often tacit, theory of healing, comprised of judgments about illness/suffering (what's wrong?); health/well-being (what's possible? what's ideal?); the trajectory from one to the other (how do we get there?); and factors that enhance as well as inhibit movement along that trajectory (what should we do?). Examining and comparing a range of theories of healing--in psychology, medicine, Christian traditions, world religions, and non-Western cultures--equips us critically to reflect upon, amend, if not reconstruct our respective theories of healing..
• STH TY 854: Pastoral Theology and Psychology
  Practical theologians, pastoral theologians, and pastoral psychologists focus on different subject matters, use different methods, and address different audiences. Nonetheless, they share a common purpose: to diagnose, accurately and in-depth, concrete problems of the human condition (e.g., suffering, evil) and, correspondingly, to construct effective ways of addressing those problems (i.e., forms of intervention, strategies of care). This is a reading course that examines contributions of theologians, practical theologians, pastoral theologians, and pastoral psychologists, and provides a context in which students may investigate research problems that are especially relevant to their respective communities and traditions, as well as their particular vocational objectives (e.g., parish ministry, chaplaincy, pastoral care, seminary teaching).
• STH TY 855: Pastoral Care, Community Justice and Feminist Ethics
  Two questions that undergird this course is 1)"what is the relationship between pastoral care and justice in and for the broader community?" and 2) "what do diverse feminist ethical and theological perspectives contribute this prior question?" These questions will guide us throughout the semester as we 1) read diverse perspectives on pastoral care and community justice; 2) visit ministry sites that seek to respond to various forms of structural, i.e. economic, healthcare; gendered, ethnicity/racial, sexuality, prison, etc. forms of injustices that impact specific communities; 3) articulate pastoral theologies of care that explicit integrate ethical commitments to justice and responsible pastoral action; 4) explore the difference that difference makes in the texts (human narratives as well as those written); 5) interrogate the exercise of power in unjust social, religious and structural practices and in justice oriented practices of care.
• STH TY 864: Personality Theory, Counseling and Psychology of Religion
  Formulating a model of self that takes into account matters of religion, faith, and spirituality; acknowledges the influence of culture, race, ethnicity, class, and gender; and coordinates the contributions of various traditions of inquiry.
• STH TY 903: The Psychology of Religion
  Examining methodological questions and issues in the psychological interpretation of religious matters by considering what is meant by 'religion' and what is involved in interpreting 'religion' psychologically.
• STH TY 906: Human Development
  Human Development Course Description: The goal of this course is to achieve an understanding of the human developmental process and how that process integrates the growth of faith and the life of the community. We will use a series of theoretical readings, broader lectures by the professor, and selected autobiographies to apply theory. As our experiences provide excellent laboratory data, there will be various opportunities to examine our own life processes as a way of seeing theory in action. Course Objectives: By the end of the class, students should: - know the primary developmental theories, including psychodynamic, cognitive, behavioral, social learning, faith development and be able to identity of variety of lesser used theories - be able to critique developmental theories using the insights of feminist theory, studies in racism and sexual identity, and the reality of globalization - be able to apply theory to case material - discuss the relationship of human development and community context
• STH TY 911: Object Relations Theory for Pastoral Relationships
  Achieving familiarity with and fluency in a series of psychoanalytic theories of personality/character, development, relationships, motivation, health, and pathology, as a context in which to practice psychoanalytic interpretations of religious matters.
• STH TY 926: Psychodynamics of Marriage and Family
  This course includes a comprehensive overview of the field of family systems and family therapy. It will serve as an introduction to the theory and techniques of couples and family therapy. An attempt will be made to integrate theory and practice through assignments, class activities, and personal and professional self-reflection. Students will have the opportunity to reflect upon how they might actually use course content professionaly in their respective disciplines.
• STH TY 946: Ethics and Research in Psychology of Religion and Pastoral Psychology
  Review of ethical issues in the field as well as present and potential research in psychology of religion and pastoral psychology.

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