Andover Newton Catalogue and Courses of Instruction
Global Christianity, Cross-Cultural and Interfaith Ministries
GCIM 625W
Your Next Step in Mission
An intensive, full time, week long seminar run by OMSC. Held at the Mercy Center, Madison, CT or at the Overseas Mission Study Center, New Haven, CT. Week 1, Jan. 5-9; Week 2, Jan.12-16; Week 3, Jan. 19-23 and Week 4, Jan.26-30, 2009.
Andover Newton students must choose and attend one of four seminars offered, do all the work required of participants and then additional reflection and research assigned by the supervising ANTS faculty. In addition to ANTS tuition and fees, a registration fee and any room and board costs chosen by the student are the student’s responsibility.
Registration with the OMSC for either of the first two weeks is required by December 1. See information at www.omsc.org/january.html
Winter - See description.
GCIM 740W
Church and Spirit: Inter-Cultural Studies
This course is an exploration of the doctrine of the spirit in the church in its biblical, historical, classical and contemporary witness, from an intercultural vantage point. It endeavors to make use of these witnesses to church and spirit as “voices” for a critical engagement with a multiplicity of cultural understandings. In order to illustrate this, it makes use of the African cosmological vantage point, as a case in point, in order to enrich other global cultural settings, for an adequate ecclesiological and pneumatological interpretation.
Winter - January 12-23, 9:00am - noon
GCIM 751S
African Christianity in Historical, Missiological and Theological Witness
The course surveys and critiques key aspects in the historical progress of Christianity on the continent of Africa. Particular attention is given to the analysis of conventional missiological paradigms in the Christianization of the continent of Africa in order to assist students of theology develop more adequate and suitable methodologies for the study of the Christian religion in context. This course further engages in a critical-evaluative-constructive discussion of key concerns and challenges in African Christianity in the 21st Century. The course encourages students of theology to construct viable theologies of life which address real questions of African peoples in order to enable them move towards fuller lives.
Spring - Wed. 2 - 4:50 pm
GCIM 755F
Views of the Messianic Age in Judaism and Christianity
This joint course with Hebrew College will trace the development of the messianic idea from its biblical roots through Second Temple Judaism and into later rabbinic and Christian thought. Our study will explore interpretations of key texts in New Testament and Christian theology, as well as among Jewish philosophers,
kabbalists, and mystics. The course will examine the qualities and characteristics of the messianic age as understood by different personalities and faith communities. Classes will take place on the Andover Newton campus. This course fulfills the GCIM requirement.
Limit: 10 Students from Andover Newton.
Fall - Wednesday 4:30 - 6:30 p.m.
HIST 631W
Pastoral Ecumenics: A Basic Introduction
Exploration of the biblical, historical, and theological foundations of ecumenism, with primary attention given to pastoral context and praxis. Particular focus given to problematic ecumenical issues, and the pastoral challenges and opportunities these create. Attention to decline of denominationalism, as well as the global character of Christianity in local perspective. Prerequisite: A basic course in Systematic Theology or the History of Christianity. This course fulfills a requirement in upper-level HIST or in GCIM.
Sunday, January 18 (3:00 – 6:00 p.m.) through Friday afternoon January 23; Mornings, Monday through Friday, with Field Trips Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons (required).
Limit: 25
Winter - See description.
PSYC 659W
Border Crossing: A Transformative Journey
This year’s Border Crossing trip will take place on the border between Mexico and the U.S. with the majority
of our time being spent in Nogales, Mexico, a border town near Tucson, Arizona. This class will study the complex issues of immigration, the related issues of global economics that drive immigration and the implications
of the militarization of the border on those who cross. We shall study multiple perspectives on immigration with the goal of empowering persons to address and respond to a critical and divisive issue in our society and in churches. We will join with the bi-national, non-profit organization of Borderlinks for our time at the border.
Students need to preregister with Professor Gill-Austern by September
30.
Approximate cost is $1500 for trip’s expenses. Some scholarship aid is available. This class fulfills renewal
area requirements in FHSP and GCIM or the JUST requirement.
Limit: 10.
Winter - January 14-23, 2009
THEO 772S
Faith and Justice: Liberation Theologies in the United States
Liberation theologies are widely acclaimed as the principal forms of prophetic thought and action in our contemporary age. Simply put, these are modes of theological discourse that rethink the meaning(s) and purpose of faith, the Christian doctrines, and overall religious or church practice by placing attention on the non-subjects of history--those who have been oppressed and been denied voice and positive identity in history. This course considers the emergence and development of some of the different kinds of liberation theologies that have come into existence in the United States. Black/African American, Feminist, Hispanic/Latino(a), and ecological theologies, among others, are examined. This course fulfills an upper-level requirement in THEO/JUST/GCIM/TMPL.
Spring - Tuesday 2 - 4:50 pm
THEO 796S
Introducing U.S. Hispanic/Lantino(a) Theology
This course explores the exciting and still emerging theological expression given utterance to by U.S. Latino/a theologians. Attention will be given to the historical unfolding, characteristics, main exponents, core themes, and ongoing issues of this theological tradition. Besides offering a perusal of Latino/a theologies, the course also offers an introduction to Hispanic/Latino(a) culture and the U.S. Latino/a experience. Thus, the class presents a wonderful opportunity to gain better awareness of the largest U.S. ethnic minority group--that is, of the Hispanic/Latino peoples living in the United States. This course fulfills the THEO upper-level, GCIM, or TMPL requirement.
Spring - Tuesday 9 - 11:50 am
WCHR 638S
Hinduism, Buddhism and Islam
A basic introduction to three major religious traditions on their own terms and in dialogue with Christian faith. Emphasis on preparation for authentic ministry in a pluralistic environment. Prerequisites: Students with Church History knowledge will find this course more helpful than beginners. This course fulfills the WCHR or GCIM requirement.
Spring - Tuesday 2-4:50 pm
WCHR/GCIM 624J
Christians & Muslim Debating Religion: The Key Texts and Their Reception
The course will provide an introduction to Christian-Muslim interreligious debate through a close reading of the most influential polemical and apologetical texts. The selected works, written by Christian and Muslim authors between the eighth and the twentieth centuries, will enable the students to identify the main issues of contention between the two religions, as well as the authors’ methods of argumentation. The course will also explore how these writings were read by later generations of Christians and Muslims, including our contemporaries.
Summer - June 1-12; 1-4pm
Key to Course Listings
| Key | Description |
|---|---|
| EL | "EL" following a course description indicates an E-Learning course. |
| F | "F" following a course number indicates a course offered during Fall semester. |
| S | "S" following a course number indicates a course offered during Spring semester. |
| W | "W" following a course number indicates a course offered during Winter Session in January. |
| J | "J" following a course number indicates a course offered during June. |
| Y |
"Y" following a course number indicates a yearlong course. Students must register each semester for year-long courses. |
This listing is subject to change. Continue to check the school's eb site, www.ants.edu, for current information about course listings, times and dates. All courses, including Church and Ministry Department courses, are now offered for 3 credits. Only students following the pre-2001 M.Div. curriculum may elect to take courses for other than 3 credits. Unless otherwise noted, courses are generally limited to 55 students.
Levels of Instruction
| Level | Description |
|---|---|
| 500 | Language courses or introductory courses meeting departmental requirements for either the M.Div. or the M.A. degree. |
| 600 | Meet departmental requirements for the M.Div., unless otherwise indicated, or program requirements for the M.A. |
| 700 | For advanced M.Div. and M.A. students with either background in an area or prerequisites completed. These courses meet some departmental upper-level elective requirements for the M.Div. |
| 800 | Primarily for D.Min. and S.T.M. students, although a limited number of seniors with the appropriate background may enroll with the instructor's permission. |
Dual-numbered courses-e.g., [HIST 725/825] - indicate courses that serve more than one level. Students should register for the level appropriate to their program needs.
Example: an M.Div. or M.A. student would register for HIST 725, but an S.T.M. or D.Min. student would register for HIST 825.
