Practical Theology

IST 2080 Practical Theology

Fall Quarter 2018 (hybrid)

Iliff School of Theology

Instructor: Rev. Dr. Rubén Arjona

rarjona@iliff.edu

Course Description

This course explores models of practical theological reflection and methods of reflective professional practice as frameworks for religious leadership in the variety of contexts in which students will work. Students will be introduced to disciplined modes of embodying the integration of theory and practice that allow them to place their coursework across the curriculum into regular conversation with their practice as religious leaders and ministry professionals in a variety of institutional and cultural contexts.

Learning Goals. Students who complete this course will be able to:

1. Identify and evaluate several contemporary approaches and methods to practical theology.
2. Articulate their understanding of practical theology and identify and assess their own gifts, strengths, and growing edges within the field.
3. Locate their own particular scholarly and practical interests within the field of practical theology.
4. Demonstrate beginning competence in theological reflection, interdisciplinary study, and intercultural capacity.

Degree Learning Goal

Theology and Religious Practices (PR): engage in analysis of contemporary religious traditions and institutions in order to assess, design, and perform meaningful leadership practices with sensitivity to contextual realities and relationships ( Master’s Student Handbook , 2016-2017, p. 5).

Readings

Required books:

Dykstra, R. C. (2018). Finding Ourselves Lost: Ministry in the Age of Overwhelm. Eugene, OR: Cascade Books.

Lee, Boyung. (2013). Transforming Congregations through Community: Faith Formation from the Seminary to the Church. Louisville: Westminster John Knox.

* Both books are now available as e-books on Primo. Some restrictions apply. Follow these links: Dykstra: Link ; Lee: Link. If you prefer to own hard copies, you may, of course, purchase the books through your preferred bookseller.

 Evaluation

1. Class participation: class members will be expected to do the readings and reference them in weekly reading forums. (Weeks 1 and 10: 3 points each = 6%; Weeks 2 – 9: 7 points each = 49%; no post on Week 5)

2. Presentation/Participation during Gathering Days (= 10%). Class participants will share their preliminary ideas for their final papers/projects (3-5 minute presentation). 

3. Final Paper/Project

Option A: Final Integrative Paper (= 35%).- The final paper (approximately 7-10 pages) should articulate your practical theological understanding of a theme or a case that is significant to you. If you'd like, this paper may take the form of an autobiographical reflection paper (e.g., What does practical theology mean for you, personally, given your personal history and social location?). You will be expected to engage some (not all) the readings of the course. Additional sources are welcomed but are not required. 

Option B: Final Practical Theology Project (=35%).-  If you prefer, you may work on a PT project. For this project, you would articulate your own understanding of practical theology in conversation with course materials, and then describe what that practical theological understanding might look like fleshed out in an ideal embodied community. This could take the form of a media project, a video, a sermon, an educational resource, or an artistic expression with accompanying explanatory written materials. If you have another idea in mind, please talk to the instructor. 

Welcome to Practical Theology!

"Practical theology has always been and remains far more than an academic endeavor. It has been about returning theology to the people."

Bonnie J. Miller-McLemore

Class Schedule