Cloverdale College is an undergraduate school of religious education and

Transcription

1 Cloverdale College is an undergraduate school of religious education and theology committed to the principles of reason, conscience, and freedom of thought and expression. It was established on the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Sunday School Union in England in Since October 2005, Cloverdale College has been the undergraduate division of the Graduate Theological Foundation. Cloverdale offers degrees in Fine Arts (Media Studies), Mediation, Religious Education, Sacred Music and Theology. By carefully selecting and endorsing an array of quality internet courses and affiliated institutions for distance learning, there are several study options through which students can complete coursework toward their degree at Cloverdale College. Students are required to have five or more years of post-high school, professional-level paid or volunteer work experience in a social service ministry or faith community when applying to Cloverdale. The College s impressive degree programs allow students to remain in their professional positions while completing their degrees. Any student graduating from Cloverdale College may enter a graduate program of the Graduate Theological Foundation, bypassing the transcript and reference letter requirements of new students. Cloverdale College is committed to the highest standards of religious education and is an independent educational institution. For further information on the Cloverdale College degree completion program,* please visit: For information regarding the Graduate Theological Foundation, please visit: For further information about Degrees or the Cloverdale Outreach Education (C.O.R.E.) program at St. John Fisher Parish please contact Dr. Nancy Mason Bordley at Parishserv@aol.com or phone ext *Degree Completion at Cloverdale College means that the applicant brings five years of posthigh school professional-level experience in a social service ministry or faith community for which the College grants three years of academic credit (90 credits covering the Freshman, Sophomore, and Junior years). The student then completes the final, or Senior, year at the College (or satellite location) by taking ten courses (30 credits/240 contact hours) to receive the bachelor s degree. The Cloverdale College bachelor s degree is based on the national standard of 120 credits. Cloverdale College is a degree completion senior-level institution.

2 Cloverdale Courses for: Bachelor of Theology Degree Concentration in Pastoral Ministry Courses offered at St. John Fisher Chapel University Parish. Religious Education Degree courses on pages 4 and 5. The Church and the Vision of Vatican II This course studies the theology of the nature, function, and structures of the church. Topics include the foundation and structure of the Church, historical development of ecclesial life, looking at the church s history for what it teaches today, models of the Church, and a special focus on the ecclesiology and vision of Vatican II. Theology as Sacred Tradition This course is an introduction to and exploration of the study of theology. Its scope includes the sources, methods and implications of Catholic theology, founded on faith in God who in Jesus Christ shared our human history and who, through the Holy Spirit, remains inseparable from our present and future. Therefore, this course will include a pastoral dimension as well as an examination of the major doctrines of the Catholic Church. Foundations of Sacred Scripture This course will present a survey of Sacred Scripture, its literature, composition, and the communities to which it was preached and written. It will compare literalism and the historical critical method and present concepts of revelation and inspiration as platform for analyses of Scriptural material. Sacrament: Sign and Symbol This course will present the meaning of sacramentality in the Catholic tradition, the scriptural, ecclesial, and historical development of the sacraments, both before and after the renewal of the Second Vatican Council, the spirituality of ritual celebrations, and the mutuality between the recipients of the sacraments and the parish community. Prayer and Spirituality This course will focus on our journey with God, self and others. An emphasis will be placed on self knowledge, balance in our lives, prayer and a willingness to be open to growth. Various forms of prayer will be discussed as well as methods and difficulties in prayer. Morality and Conscience Formation This course will provide an investigation of fundamental themes in moral theology and processes in conscience formation. The course will include a case study, discussion of responsive Christian personhood using both external and internal sources for moral living within the Roman Catholic tradition. The goal of this course is to identify the principles and horizons from which concrete ethical decisions are determined in the Christian life. The Practice of Pastoral Ministry A study of general pastoral care principles including topics such as the theology and practice of ministry, the call and understanding of ministry, personal authenticity, professional standards of ministerial conduct, etiquette, leadership development, interpersonal relationships, typical problem areas, and potential pitfalls for pastoral ministers. 2

3 Spiritual Companioning This course is designed to give the student an overview of the gift of spiritual direction in the church. It will broaden the student s understanding, challenge the student to surrender to God s direction as the primary reality, and open the student to the experience of the soul journey and the process of accompanying another on this journey. Emphasis will be placed on providing a theological and historical context for this ministry, understanding the scope of spiritual direction, developing a beginning experience with the basic workings of spiritual direction as both science and art, and relating this gift to ministry within the body of Christ. The Church at Prayer This course is designed to assist pastoral ministers in preparing and leading the church in communal prayer. Learners examine the principles, patterns of worship, and pastoral goals in liturgical planning. Special attention is given to the role of lay liturgical leadership in the assembly, communion services, funeral vigils and other settings. Class Information Classes: Classes generally meet on Thursday evenings beginning in January. Each of the ten required courses meet for eight sessions. Registration forms will be available in the fall. Cost: $300 (3 credit hours) $150 (audit) Those who audit are not expected to participate in assignments or exams and no credit will be issued toward a degree program. Note: A minimum of 8 students are required per class. No refunds will be issued after the second class meeting. Program Faculty at St. John Fisher Chapel University Parish Dr. Nancy Mason Bordley Dr. Mary Ann Dixon, OP Mr. Peter Ferguson Dr. Carol Jadach Dr. Barbara Rund, OP Janet Schaeffler, OP Additional Instructors will be joining the staff, as needed. 3

4 Cloverdale Courses for: Bachelor of Religious Education Degree Courses offered at St. John Fisher Chapel University Parish. Theology Degree courses on pages 2 and 3. The Church and the Vision of Vatican II This course studies the theology of the nature, function, and structures of the church. Topics include the foundation and structure of the Church, historical development of ecclesial life, looking at the church s history for what it teaches today, models of the Church, and a special focus on the ecclesiology and vision of Vatican II. Theology as Sacred Tradition This course is an introduction to and exploration of the study of theology. Its scope includes the sources, methods and implications of Catholic theology, founded on faith in God who in Jesus Christ shared our human history and who, through the Holy Spirit, remains inseparable from our present and future. Therefore, this course will include a pastoral dimension as well as an examination of the major doctrines of the Catholic Church. Catechesis and Growth in Faith This course explores the goals of catechesis, especially its prophetic dimension, its ability to transform individuals, the parish community and the larger society. Learners will examine current catechetical methods and reflect on their own understandings of faith formation, considering today s methods (and future possibilities) in light of the call to adult-centered catechesis and contemporary transformative learning theories, as well as the constantly changing needs of today s society. Learners will explore the implications of course materials for their own visions and strategies for personal and communal catechesis. Foundations of Sacred Scripture This course will present a survey of Sacred Scripture, its literature, composition, and the communities to which it was preached and written. It will compare literalism and the historical critical method and present concepts of revelation and inspiration as platform for analyses of Scriptural material. The Call and Charism of Lay Ministry This course will examine the nature of min istry in its relationship with the Church and the world. Students will examine the nature of the call and the qualities required for ministry. They will engage in theological reflection on the interplay between authentic spirituality and life experience. Sacrament: Sign and Symbol This course will present the meaning of sacramentality in the Catholic tradition, the scriptural, ecclesial, and historical development of the sacraments, both before and after the renewal of the Second Vatican Council, the spirituality of ritual celebrations, and the mutuality between the recipients of the sacraments and the parish community. Prayer and Spirituality This course will focus on our journey with God, self and others. An emphasis will be placed on self knowledge, balance in our lives, prayer and a willingness to be open to growth. Various forms of prayer will be discussed as well as methods and difficulties in prayer. 4

5 The Liturgy and the Liturgical Seasons This course is an overview of the origin, development and cultural aspects of Christian worship rooted in symbols, myths and rituals, as well as the liturgical aspect of the Church s mission, with focus on Vatican II s renewal of the Church year, major rites, and roles of liturgical ministers. The link of sacraments to the sacramentality of Christ and of the Church, as mysteries and sources of grace will be emphasized. This course focuses on the theology of Christian liturgy. Students will pay special attention to issues of culture/inculturation, initiation into the ecclesial community, the Eucharist and the liturgical year. Leadership and the Ministry of Administration This course will focus on defining pastoral leadership and exploring the skills needed to provide effective leadership in administration within the parish and educational setting. Almost all parish ministers find themselves at some time in an administrative or supervisory role, being asked to plan, make decisions, set goals and priorities, facilitate meetings, prepare budgets, mediate conflict, and evaluate personnel and processes which will require skills in giving effective feedback. Morality and Conscience Formation This course will provide an investigation of fundamental themes in moral theology and processes in conscience formation. The course will include a case study, discussion of responsive Christian personhood using both external and internal sources for moral living within the Roman Catholic tradition. The goal of this course is to identify the principles and horizons from which concrete ethical decisions are determined in the Christian life. Class Information Classes: Classes generally meet on Thursday evenings beginning in January. Each of the ten required courses meet for eight sessions. Registration forms will be available in the fall. Cost: $300 (3 credit hours) $150 (audit) Those who audit are not expected to participate in assignments or exams and no credit will be issued toward a degree program. Note: A minimum of 8 students are required per class. No refunds will be issued after the second class meeting. Program Faculty at St. John Fisher Chapel University Parish Dr. Nancy Mason Bordley Dr. Mary Ann Dixon, OP Mr. Peter Ferguson Dr. Carol Jadach Dr. Barbara Rund, OP Janet Schaeffler, OP Additional Instructors will be joining the staff, as needed. 5