PRTH 60011 THEOLOGICAL RESOURCES SEMINAR This introduction to the information resources available to Brite students is designed to equip students with the skills needed to locate effectively book, periodical, and electronic resources that are relevant to graduate study in religion. (Offered Pass/No Credit)

PRTH 60053 THE CHURCH’S MISSION AND THE MINISTER’S VOCATION An orientation to the vocation of ministry as it relates to the mission and nature of the church; historical, theological, and sociological aspects of church and ministry.

PRTH 60103 CONGREGATIONAL LEADERSHIP An introduction to leadership and administration in the local congregation, with attention to leadership styles, congregational dynamics, administering congregations of varying sizes and organizing for mission.

PRTH 70123/80123 THE MINISTER AS PRACTICAL THEOLOGIAN A study of Practical Theology as a discrete discipline, situated as the third great moment in theology; methodological approaches to questions of ecclesial praxis and practice; reassessment and reappropriation of lex orandi, lex credendi et agendi, as a means of recovering the liturgy as an integral source for practical theology; shared experience of participating students.

PRTH 70163/80163 MINISTRY IN THE LESBIAN, GAY, BISEXUAL AND TRANSGENDERED COMMUNITY This class is designed for ministers-in-training who will likely participate in conversations about homosexuality in their churches and communities, provide ministry and pastoral care to Lesbian/Gay/Bisexual/Transgendered persons, or assume leadership roles in hermeneutical/theological debates about homosexuality. Given this likelihood, this course seeks to equip ministers with a base of essential material about LGBT experience, including literature and videography in the field, biblical criticism, and theological constructions. The voices of LGBT persons themselves will be the primary sources for this course.

PRTH 70212 UNITED METHODIST POLITY The organization, polity and comprehensive program of the United Methodist Church. Required of United Methodist students for ordination.

PRTH 70223/80223 EVANGELISM An exploration into the theology and methods of evangelism in mainline Protestantism, with focus on the development of a congregation’s evangelism ministry.

PRTH 70333/80333 CONFLICT AND RECONCILIATION The identification of conflicts, and means of their prevention, containment and resolution.

PRTH 70433/80433 URBAN AND MULTICULTURAL MINISTRY Theological reflection and exploration of issues, ministries and trends that confront the church in a world that is increasingly urban and multicultural.

PRTH 70443/80443 STEWARDSHIP Biblical, historical and theological perspectives on the Christian as “steward,” with analyses of stewardship programs and emphases in the congregation, and coverage of such related topics as congregational budgeting, personal fiscal management and estate planning.

PRTH 70503 SUPERVISED MINISTRY I Prerequisite: 21 hours and instructor’s permission. An intensive group experience aimed at the integration of theology and practice. (Offered Pass/No Credit)

PRTH 70603 SUPERVISED MINISTRY II Prerequisite: PRTH 70503 and instructor’s permission. An intensive group experience aimed at the integration of theology and practice. (Offered Pass/No Credit)

PRTH 70703/80703 INTEGRATIVE SEMINAR ON PASTORAL MINISTRY Masters prerequisite: 27 hours. A seminar designed to challenge the student to develop a holistic understanding of the various dimensions of pastoral ministry.

PRTH 70970/80970 SPECIAL TOPICS IN PRACTICAL THEOLOGY May be repeated for credit under different topics. (1-3 semester hours)

WRSP 60113 CHRISTIAN WORSHIP An introduction to the theology, history and liturgical construction of Christian worship, with an emphasis on practical worship preparation and leadership.

WRSP 60543 HISTORY OF SACRED MUSIC An historical survey of sacred music from ancient times to the twentieth century.

WRSP 70113/80113 THEMES AND PERSPECTIVES IN AMERICAN SPIRITUALITY Exploration of the history of the spiritual quest in America and how our own 20th century religious experience has influenced its theological, historical, cultural, and geographical situation.

WRSP 70123 PRACTICUM IN CHRISTIAN WORSHIP This course is designed to give practical experience in the preparation and leadership of services of Christian worship. In addition to planning weekly chapel services, students in this course will explore contents of the various denominational worship resources, the shape of the Christian year, the Lord’s Supper, psalmody, movement, and symbolism. Models of worship leadership and the place of worship in congregational life and in the pastoral care of individuals and communities will also be discussed.

WRSP 70213/80213 SPIRITUAL THEMES IN LITERATURE An investigation of spiritual themes in the literary works of such writers as C.S. Lewis, Nikos Kazantzakis or others. (May be repeated for credit under different topics for up to 9 credit hours.) See CHTH 70213.

WRSP 70230 CHOIR A laboratory for the study, rehearsal and performance of choral music. A maximum of three hours may be earned. (1/2 semester hour)

WRSP 70233/80233 CHURCH AND SACRAMENTS Exploration of the theological issues arising from the study of the Church and the sacraments/ordinances and the questions these present for contemporary denominational and ecumenical discussions.

WRSP 70243/80243 SPIRITUAL RESOURCES AND DISCIPLINES Prayer, meditation and other resources and disciplines for personal Christian growth. Attention is given to classical and contemporary expressions in terms both of theory and practice, and with special reference to the life of the seminarian and religious professional. (Offered Pass/No Credit)

WRSP 70313/80313 CHURCH ARCHITECTURE Masters prerequisite: WRSP 60113 or equivalent. This course will address, in seminar format, questions related to the architectural setting of Christian worship, past, present, and future.

WRSP 70653/80653 METHODIST WORSHIP Masters prerequisite: WRSP 60113 or equivalent. This course explores the background, history, theology, and practice of the various Methodist traditions of worship. Special attention will be given to Methodist sacramental theology.

WRSP 70723/80723 HYMNOLOGY The history of the congregational song from the Old Testament Psalms to the present. Emphasis on understanding the historical development with practical application for current worship. No musical training is necessary for non-music majors.

WRSP 70773/80773 CASE STUDIES IN WORSHIP AND PREACHING Masters prerequisite: WRSP 60113 or equivalent. This course takes a “case-method” approach to issues surrounding the appropriate shape and content of worship and preaching. Special attention will be given to the design of worship and preaching for crisis situations.

WRSP 70970/80970 SPECIAL TOPCIS IN WORSHIP AND SPIRITUALITY May be repeated for credit under different topics. (1-3 semester hours)

WRSP 95103 ISSUES IN WORSHIP: SPIRITUALITY AND MINISTRY Prerequisite: Admittance to the Th.M. or Ph.D. program or special permission from the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. This course investigates issues at the intersection between ritual, pastoral care, and spiritual nurture. How does the pastoral care-giver integrate the insights and resources, both historical and contemporary, from these disciplines into an overall approach to human well-being.

HOML 60203 FOUNDATIONS FOR PREACHING Prerequisite: Either HEBI 60003 or NETE 60003 or equivalent. Rationale for the preaching ministry. Types of preaching. Preparation and delivery of sermons. Practice preaching.

HOML 70113/80113 BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION FOR PREACHING Prerequisites: For D.Min. students, none. For M.Div. students, the prerequisites are on record in the Office of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. A biblical book or theme will be examined in the light of recent exegetical and hermeneutical approaches, with a view to proclamation in the church. Sermons from the selected book or theme will be prepared, presented in written form to the class, and discussed. May be repeated for credit with different books or themes. See HEBI 80113 and NETE 70113.

HOML 70313/80313 LITERATURE AND PREACHING Laboratory in the creative and responsible use of world literature (fiction and non-fiction) in Christian proclamation.

HOML 70403/80403 THEOLOGY AND PREACHING Prerequisite: HOML 60203 and CHTH 60013 or equivalent. This course examines both the theology of preaching and theology for preaching by engaging selected theologians and their sermons. Students will prepare, preach, and reflect upon the theology in sermons. See also CHTH 70403.

HOML 70633/80633 THE HISTORY OF PREACHING A study of the public proclamation of the faith from earliest times to the present. Attention to modes of exegesis and rhetoric. Assessment of the pulpit’s influence in various periods. See CHHI 70633.

HOML 70713/80713 PRECEPTORIAL IN PREACHING Masters prerequisite: HOML 60203 or equivalent. Work in sermon preparation from lectionary texts. Designed for those serving a preaching post.

HOML 70753/80753 ADVANCED PREACHING WORKSHOP Masters prerequisite: HOML 60203 or equivalent. Different foci are chosen for intensive study and practice preaching (exegesis for preaching, doctrinal preaching, pastoral preaching, ethical/social preaching, new preaching forms).

HOML 70970/80970 SPECIAL TOPICS IN PREACHING May be repeated for credit under different topics. (1-3 semester hours)

HOML 81403 PROFESSIONAL PAPER Prerequisite: Admittance into D.Min. program. The D.Min. Professional Paper confronts a current issue in homiletics from the dual perspectives of scholarly research and parish experience.

REED 60003 THE CHURCH’S EDUCATIONAL MINISTRY An introduction to the church’s education ministry, with emphasis on the formulation of a theory of Christian education, the practice of Christian education in a congregational setting, and the role of the minister as an educator.

REED 70143/80143 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION OF CHILDREN Masters prerequisite: REED 60003 or equivalent. Purpose, structures, and resources for congregational education of children, with particular emphasis on child development.

REED 70203/80203 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION IN THE BLACK CHURCH Masters prerequisite: REED 60003 or equivalent. This course will explore a variety of issues in Christian education and formation in relation to the special opportunities and challenges existing in the context of the Black church.

REED 70323/80323 CHRISTIAN EDUCATION OF YOUTH Masters prerequisite: REED 60003 or equivalent. Students will work on developing an overall approach and strategy for youth ministry. The first half of this course focuses more on understanding today’s adolescents and their needs than on techniques for youth group meetings or youth socials. In the latter part of the course students will go on to explore a number of aspects of working with youth, including approaches to teaching youth in traditional Sunday School settings, pastoral care and spiritual direction of youth, designing youth mission projects, youth group meetings, and working with families of teenagers.

REED 70613/80613 SEMINAR: CURRENT ISSUES IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Masters prerequisite: REED 60003 or equivalent. Seminar on a current issue in Christian education, such as church membership education, human sexuality education, religion and public education, etc.

REED 70970/80970 SPECIAL TOPICS IN CHRISTIAN EDUCATION May be repeated for credit under different topics. (1-3 semester hours)

REED 70993/80993 HISTORY AND THEORY OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION Masters prerequisite: REED 60003 or equivalent. This advanced course will survey the history of Christian education and explore theoretical issues such as epistemology and theologies of Christian education. Students will write a major research paper.