Courses

The listing of a course description here does not guarantee a course’s being offered in a particular semester. Please refer to the published schedule of classes on the Student Link for confirmation a class is actually being taught and for specific course meeting dates and times.

• STH CT 800: Field Practicum
  This course encourages theology students to take advantage of opportunities for practical experience in area churches and/or other related organizations as an extension of their theological training in the School of Theology. A credit- bearing course, Field Practicum is established as an elective course that can be taken for one-half credit in any semester. Any student may enroll in CT 800 for a maximum of four semesters, or 2 total credits. A maximum of 2 credits can be applied to degree requirements for a master's-level degree (MDiv, MTS, MSM) as free electives. These elective credits may not be substituted for major or minor coursework in a STM, DMin, ThD, or PhD program but can augment any of these post-master's degrees.
• STH DM 901: Transformational Leadership
  This course explores diverse perspectives and practices of religious leadership and community transformation, drawing upon recent research and literature in dialogue with participants' experiences as community leaders. Students will explore their personal leadership strengths and goals, theological perspectives and social science findings as regards leadership and transformation, and the insights of living communities. The purpose is to engage with critical issues and to construct new approaches to leadership that can contribute to thriving and society-serving communities.
• STH DM 902: Contextual Analysis and Transformational Leadership
  This course aims to provide students with theories and practices of leadership and ethics that will assist them in coming into a sense of who they are as transformational leaders and to prepare them for the multiple contexts in which they will lead. Students will have a growing sense of their public role in respect to religious and faith-based communities and to religion as it operates in a variety of contexts.
• STH DM 903: DMin Research Methods Seminar
  
• STH DM 904: DMin Project Colloquium
  
• STH TA 710: Music in World Religions I: The Abrahamic Traditions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)
  Music is an integral part of the liturgies of almost every major religion. It is a traditional element of many rituals connected with the life cycle, and is often used as a way of mediating one's relationship to God. This course seeks to put both religion and its music in cultural and historical context. It will use interdisciplinary methodologies including theological studies and musical analysis. It aims to provide a basic framework for understanding the issues surrounding the duties and practices, rituals, scriptures, articles of faith, holy days, prayers, and denominational differences for each religion in a way that is comprehensible to the non- musician. (Clusters 1 and 3)
• STH TA 711: Music of the World's Religions II: The Asian Traditions (Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikkhism)
  Music is an integral part of the liturgies of almost every major religion. It is a traditional element of many rituals connected with the life cycle, and is often used as a way of mediating ones relationship to God. This course seeks to put both the religion and its music in cultural and historical context. It will be using interdisciplinary methodologies including theological studies and musical analysis. It aims to provide a basic framework for understanding the issues surrounding the duties and practices, rituals, scriptures, articles of faith, holy days, prayers and denominational differences for each religion in a way that is comprehensible to the non-musician. Musical training is preferred but not essential. (Clusters 1 and 3)
• STH TA 715: Organ Seminar
  Intended for organ majors, but open to others, this course covers repertoire, organ building and maintenance, technique, performance practice, and keyboard skills (sight-reading, score-reading, transposition, harmonization, improvisation and continuo). This is a two semester course. MSM organ majors must enroll in both semesters. (Cluster 3)
• STH TA 721: Seminary Singers
  Open to all students who are interested in singing. Participation in one weekly chapel service, all concerts, and tours. Credit given only on completion of the second consecutive semester's work. (Cluster 3)
• STH TA 722: Seminary Singers
  Open to all students who are interested in singing. Participation in one weekly chapel service, all concerts, and tours. Credit given only on completion of the second consecutive semester's work.(Cluster 3)
• STH TA 801: Methods and Materials in Sacred Music (online)
  Students will critically engage with materials and approaches in the principal areas of present- day church musicians including: choral and vocal techniques, conducting, the organ and other instruments, alternative and contemporary worship, and professional concerns. This course will enable students to gain greater competencies needed to function at optimal levels as a music minister or director in worship, religious, pastoral and educational settings. This will be accomplished through engagement with the methods and materials of church/synagogue (sacred) music and worship. (Cluster 3)
• STH TA 804: Seminar: Anthems for the Church Choir
  Historical survey of music repertory for American church choirs: study of performance of various periods and genres of music. Consent of instructor with special consideration given to MSM and SFA students. (Cluster 3)
• STH TA 805: Music Ministry for Church Leaders
  Music ministry is an essential part of a healthy church, providing beauty in worship, means of community and avenues for evangelism. This course offers methods and materials to help you integrate, develop, support and sustain a good music program and your music leaders by helping with practical and technical matters as well as larger issues of theological integration and the quality of the music used in the service of the church. 2CR [Meets only for the first half of the semester] (Cluster 3)
• STH TA 808: Marsh Chapel Choir
  Audition required. Schedule includes Sunday worship in Marsh Chapel and several major concerts. (Cluster 3)
• STH TA 810: Hymns and Their Music
  Study of the history of congregational song from biblical practice to the present day. Emphasis will be given to the development of theological, textual, and musical patterns, with special attention to incorporating both historic and emerging materials in worship. Strongly recommended for all MSM students; valuable for MDiv and doctoral students with special interest in worship. (Clusters 1 and 3)
• STH TA 815: World Religions in Boston
  In an increasingly pluralistic society it is essential to have some understanding of the beliefs and worship patterns of other religions and to be able to engage in dialogue with them. This course utilizes the Pluralism Project at Harvard to explore new forms of interfaith engagement. Seven weekly lectures introduce the issues surrounding interfaith work and a basic understanding of the tenets and practices of five major religions. Site visits (to Hindu, Muslim, Sikh, Buddhist and Jewish worship services) offer first- hand experiences and the opportunity for discussion and interaction with religious leaders and lay people. (Clusters 1 and 3)
• STH TA 820: Theology and the Arts
  Aims to facilitate understanding of sacred art for its intrinsic worth and to assess how it may be used to enhance worship in the future. It will deal systematically with the theology of architectural space, church furnishing, vestments, stained glass, and decorative work. Students will be taught to look, interpret, and use the technical vocabulary of art and architecture and will develop skills for making value judgments about quality and content of art. Includes field trips to area churches and to the Museum of Fine Arts. (Clusters 1 and 3)
• STH TA 826: Seminar in Music of the 20th Century
  Course not being offered in 2014-2015 School Year. (Clusters 1 and 3)
• STH TA 830: Passions & Requiems
  An examination of the legacy of music written for liturgical and non-liturgical use, using longer text, tracing the origins, formulary, and development of the texts (including discussion of the authors). Case studies will form the basis of further inquiry. Cultural, social and historical context of the first performance will be discussed, along with an examination of the theology behind the text setting. There will be comparative analysis of other examples of the same genre, discussion of post-Reformation changes in text and approach, and national differences in style and technique. (Clusters 1 and 3)
• STH TC 529: Spiritual Autobiographies
  In the course, students will explore classic and contemporary spiritual autobiographies. These autobiographies reveal the diverse paths of religious seekers, the crises and epiphanies that became focal points of meaning and revelation. Students will learn about the practices of faith that sustained and challenged religious people from Augustine to Teresa of Avila to Tolstoy. Through close, empathetic, and critical examination of the texts, students will reflect on their own spiritual journeys and identities. They also will engage first-hand in the crafting of spiritual autobiography, and students will have the opportunity to work intensively in small groups throughout the writing and sharing process. Throughout the course, students will explore potential uses of spiritual autobiography as pathways of discernment and growth in congregational and retreat settings, small faith groups, spiritual formation and companionship. (Clusters 1 and 3)

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