by Mackenzie Mahon
Academic Services Coordinator
Fall is in full-swing across the country. I just spent reading week visiting friends in New England, soaking in the vivid colors of the trees — but I must admit, the bright orange trees outside Nyvall Hall might rival them.
Nature might be preparing for winter, but here in the Academic Services office, we’re thinking of spring. Registration for January Term and Spring 2019 courses opened today. Between January intensives, Midwinter offerings, and our general semester courses, there are so many different opportunities to engage with each other, our coursework, and the Lord.
We have many different elective classes this spring that you won’t want to miss. Most electives are on a three-year rotation, so if you’re interested in the topic make sure to register. Check out the list below to see if there are any that particularly interest you.
If you have questions about which classes you should take next, please don’t hesitate to contact your advisor or reach out to our office at semacademicservices@northpark.edu.
INTENSIVES:
BIBL 6280 Women, Bible, and the Church (January Intensive)
- What’s it about? This course seeks to develop a biblical and theological understanding of the divinely intended relationship of male and female, gender and ministry, headship and submission, leadership and theology, and God and gender. It pays particular attention to major interpretive issues and their relevance for leadership and ministry roles today.
- What does it fulfill? This course counts as a general elective.
- When: January 7-11 on North Park’s campus in Chicago.
MNST 5115 Preaching the Word (January Intensive)
- What’s it about? The student will learn basic skills in oral communication fundamentals of expository sermon preparation, and develop sensitivity to the liturgical, social, and cultural contexts in which preaching takes place.
- What does it fulfill? This course is required for MDiv students, fulfills the communication skills elective for MATS students, or could be a MNST elective for MACF or MACM students.
- When: January 7-11 on North Park’s campus in Chicago.
- Take note: Distance students in particular should take this class — preaching is not offered online and will not be offered again as an intensive until January 2021.
MNST 6352 Journey to Mosaic (At Midwinter)
- What’s it about? This course incorporates readings, films, conversations, interaction with individuals, and a pilgrimage to major sites of racial significance in Denver and the broader American context. The focus is on cross-cultural and cross-racial relationship dynamics leading to a greater cultural intelligence on racial and cultural issues in the church. The course will explore the biblical, theological, sociological, political, cultural, and psychological dimensions of the struggle for racial justice and its contemporary implications for ministry.
- What does it fulfill? This class counts as a cultural diversity elective.
- When: January 20-25 at the ECC’s Midwinter Conference in Denver (please note this class begins Sunday night, while the conference does not start until Monday).
- Take note: Though an intensive, this course will not fulfill residency requirements for distance students since Midwinter is in Denver, not Chicago. An additional fee of $175 for entrance to the Midwinter Conference, as well as the cost of the pilgrimage, will be included. Students are responsible for their own travel and lodging. Registration for this class closes on November 1, so if interested in taking it please email semacademicserv@northpark.edu as soon as possible.
BIBL 5240 New Testament 1 (At Midwinter)
- What’s it about? This course explores the interpretation, context, and content of the New Testament. Attention is given to the nature of the New Testament as Scripture and to fundamental hermeneutical issues, with a focus on historical criticism as a basis for theological interpretation. The political, social, and religious worlds of Second Temple Judaism and of Greco-Roman society are described as a framework for studying Matthew through Revelation. The content of selected books from each of the genres and historical phases of the New Testament is examined, and important theological themes running across the canon are introduced (e.g. Christology, eschatology). Particular emphasis is placed on engagement with texts in their historical contexts and the development of basic exegetical skills.
- What does it fulfill? This class is required for all degree programs.
- When: January 21-25 at the ECC’s Midwinter Conference in Denver.
- Take note: Though an intensive, this course will not fulfill residency requirements for distance students since Midwinter is in Denver, not Chicago. An additional fee of $75 for entrance to the Midwinter Conference will be included. Students are responsible for their own travel and lodging.
SPRING SEMESTER COURSES:
BIBL 6310 The Book of Psalms
- What’s it about? Taught by Old Testament fellow Nathan Clayton, this course is an inductive study of the literary form, cultural background, and theological perspective of selected psalms. The course suggests how psalms might be used in public and private worship.
- What does it fulfill? This class is a general elective.
- When: On campus Thursday afternoons from 1:30-4:15pm
THEO 5140 Theologies of Disability, Church, and Sacraments
- What’s it about? In this course students will begin to construct their own theologies of disability in creative dialogue with questions raised by significant historical and contemporary theologians. The course will explore the way that the sacraments of baptism and Holy Communion empower people of diverse abilities to be part of the church, and the ways that human bodies impact past and present Christologies, ecclesiologies, and eschatologies, as well as theologies of sin and of the Holy Spirit. It will also investigate how our theologies of disability impact pastoral and theological questions of eroticism, physical violence, gender inequality, racism, and medical ethics.
- What does it fulfill? This class counts as an Advanced Seminar in Theology course for MDiv and MATS students, or as a general elective.
- When: On campus Thursday afternoons from 1:30-4:15pm
THEO 6420 Saints, Radicals, and Heretics: Critical Voices in Christian Theology (at Stateville)
- What’s it about? An exploration of one or multiple figures in the history of Christianity, through engagement with primary and secondary sources. Examples include Martin Luther King, Jr., Dorothy Day, Augustine, Wendell Berry, Julian of Norwich and Luther.
- What does it fulfill? Students may petition to use this as an Advanced Seminar in Theology course, or it will count as a general elective.
- When: Mondays at Stateville Correctional Center.
- Take note: This course requires instructor approval from Michelle-Clifton Soderstrom to register. Priority is given to Transformative Justice Certificate students. Please send Michelle an email by November 14 in order to register.
SPFM 7190 Icon Writing as a Spiritual Discipline (Weekend intensive)
- What’s it about? Icon writing as spiritual discipline was historically available only to an elite few. Through the guidance of instructor Joseph Malham, and in cooperation with the program of Evangelization Through the Arts of St. Gregory’s Parish, this opportunity is now open to any who wish to experience this form of entering into creation and understanding the historic meaning of sacred portals known as icons. In this course each participant will study the history and meaning of icons and will be guided in a group process to create a personal copy of a seasonal icon together. Proficiency in artist skills not required. All stages of the process will be explained by the instructor.
- What does it fulfill? This one-credit class is a spiritual formation elective.
- When: This blended course will combine online reading before and after the workshop. The icon writing workshop itself will be from are 6 to 9pm on a Friday, and from 9am to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday during a weekend in Lent (exact dates to be determined). Since in-person meetings are limited to one weekend, this is a good course option for distance students.
- Take note: The workshop will take place in the Trinity Icons studio, where physical access is limited to three flights of stairs. In addition to tuition there is an additional cost for materials to produce the icon (panel, gold leaf, paint and all equipment necessary) and two meals of $100.00 per person. Enrollment is limited to twelve participants.
For the complete schedule of January and Spring 2019 course offerings, please visit: https://www.northpark.edu/seminary/academics/student-resources/