Curriculum Overview. A Personalized Program. Streamlined Learning Objectives

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1 Curriculum Overview A Personalized Program We view our students as future leaders in their fields and because this can represent such a broad spectrum of interests, we provide the opportunity for a highly personalized program. We allow you to embrace your own wisdom, spiritual orientation, and life purpose. All Paths Divinity School is essentially a self directed program for serious students. APDS recognizes that each student is on a spiritual journey whether they have prior experience in religious and spiritual studies or not.. Each student has a different learning style some students need more structure and guidance, whereas others prefer more flexibility. To accommodate this, we've intentionally designed a differentiated curriculum to support each student in their interests. The first assignment for each student is an in depth facilitated spiritual biography establishing a personal vision statement. The fruits of this process will help to shape the direction of the students ministry. This vision is revisited several times throughout the program for the student to fine tune as their experience unfolds. Streamlined Learning Objectives The primary learning objectives for most Master of Divinity (M.Div) courses are to demonstrate a holistic understanding of how the topic relates to each of the primary world religions, and also what it means to you personally how it could relate to your own ministry. Part of our process is to help mentor you in defining what your ministry might be. Some students might connect with this clearly right away, whereas others might require added support in this area. Students of Interfaith Theology (M.Th) explore contemporary issues and controversial topics through the theological lenses and philosophical frameworks of different religions. Students of Interfaith Theology draw upon the entirety of the world s wisdom traditions, allowing the many variations to enrich and inform their own. Various systems of theology and related philosophical underpinnings are also examined such as syncretism which looks past differences towards a universal religion, relativism which claims any approach is as good as another, and pluralism which recognizes the shared common themes but also honors the cultural particularities that make each religion distinctive and unique.

2 Selecting an Emphasis for your Degree Each student has the option to select a particular focus for their studies although this is not required. The choices at present are: Enlightened Leadership, Divine Feminine, INterfaith Dialogue, Religion and the Arts, Peace Studies, Spiritual Healing, Community Building, Eco Spirituality and Chaplaincy. Resources & Guidance Your program mentors will help you choose learning resources which provide the knowledge required to progress towards the completion of your degree. Ultimately, how and when you study is up to you. It could be an online study group, an online learning community, textbooks, or other resources. You ll have the guidance of a mentor to review your progress, recommended reading lists, and lots of other free online resources, but the intensity and duration of your study time is your decision. Sample Syllabi Attached (below) is a course syllabus from each category of coursework: Ministry, Theology, and Religious Studies. Students who do best with a lot of structure and direction may reply upon syllabi/outlines like the attached samples. But students who desire less structure are permitted the freedom to explore the subjects from other angles. For example, a textbook may often be substituted with a similar book, perhaps by an author you find more favorable. Likewise, topics for writing papers are provided for you but you are also usually free to select your own writing topic, as long as it is relevant. Writing Assignments Every class requires at least one written paper, typically between 1,000 to 2,000 words. Students will be given the outline of specific requirements in Student Policy Handbook. Testing/Exams Some courses also have multiple choice tests, but not all. Hands On Projects A handful of classes in the M.Div program require projects be completed, but you also have the freedom to propose your own project ideas. Specific examples we suggest: making your own interfaith prayer book

3 visiting different churches or temples in your area designing an interfaith wedding service creating a peace garden in your neighborhood interviewing a chaplain

4 SYLLABUS Spiritual Development Models LEARNING OBJECTIVES: To become well acquainted with various models of spiritual development, and their equivalents across the world s spiritual/religious traditions. SUGGESTED TEXTS: GRADING: The Road Less Traveled - M. Scott Peck 1 Final Paper No Boundary - Ken Wilber = 100% of grade The Further Reaches of Human Nature - Abraham Maslow The Hero s Journey - Joseph Campbell The 4 Yogas - Swami Vivekananda What The Ancient Wisdom Expects of it s Disciples - Manly Hall The International Journal of Transpersonal Studies - # 29, 2010, pp MODULE 1: Collect various definitions of spiritual development. MODULE 2: Research related models, metaphors, and hierarchies of different religions. MODULE 3: Review audios/videos about spiritual development. MODULE 4: Review articles/blogs/testimonies about spiritual development. MODULE 5: Research various rituals/advice for inducing spiritual development. MODULE 6: Meditate/pray/contemplate the stages of your own spiritual development. MODULE 7: Write a paper summarizing all your findings.

5 RELATED PROJECTS: (optional) Draw, paint, sculpt, sing, or use any other artistic medium to creatively depict or convey the idea/energy of spiritual growth.

6 SYLLABUS Music Ministries LEARNING OBJECTIVES: (1) to become acquainted with the many kinds music ministries. (2) to consider the overall value of music ministry - it s benefits to the community. (3) to become acquainted with the historical and cultural background out of which various religions conducted their musical ministries. (4) to consider how music might fit into your ministry. REQUIRED TEXTS: None GRADING: 1 Final Paper = 100% of grade MODULE 1: Collect various definitions and examples of music ministry. MODULE 2: From Hindu Kirtan to Christmas carols, from drum circles to harp players, consider different spiritual/religious approaches to music ministry. MODULE 3: Review audio/video samples of various music ministries in action. MODULE 4: Review articles/blogs/testimonies about music ministries. MODULE 5: Meditate on/pray about/vision ways music might fit into your ministry. MODULE 6: Write a paper summarizing all your findings. RELATED PROJECTS: (optional) create your own multi-religious songbook sit in with a church choir organize a christmas caroling party compose/record an original song

7 SYLLABUS Bhagavad Gita LEARNING OBJECTIVES 1) to become acquainted with the major themes of the Hindu classic, The Bhagavad Gita. 2) to become acquainted with the historical and cultural background out of which the religion presented in The Bhagavad Gita emerged. 3) to learn to read, examine, and discuss The Bhagavad Gita as a Sacred Text and as a means of examining the development of eastern religious thought. NOTE: This is a course about religion as an open subject of study which examines the development of human thought about religion and the divine. This is NOT a class that teaches religious doctrine or that is taught from a religious and/or devotional perspective. The text will be treated as material open to interpretation. An open mind and a willingness to examine new ideas and new methods of examining the text are essential. REQUIRED TEXTS The Bhagavad Gita (Preferred Translations: Nikhilananda or Prabhavananda) GRADING 1 Essay = 100 % of grade

8 SAMPLE STUDY OUTLINE The blind King Dhritarashtra asks Sanjaya to recount to him what happened when his family the Kauravas gathered to fight the Pandavas for control of Hastinapura. His family isn't the rightful heir to the kingdom, but they have assumed control, and Dhritarashtra is trying to preserve it for his son Duryodhana. Sanjaya tells of Arjuna, who has come as leader of the Pandavas to take back his kingdom, with Sri Krishna as his charioteer. The Gita is the conversation between Krishna and Arjuna leading up to the battle. MODULE 1 Determine who the characters of the story are; their name, personality, and role. MODULE 2 Determine the major themes or topics in the text. MODULE 3 Make a vocabulary list of the terms or words which are new to you. MODULE 4 Do general research about the culture and time period when the text was written. MODULE 5 Research what if any influence the text has had. MODULE 6 Browse through famous commentaries, video documentaries, articles, blogs, and other academic analysis of the text.

9 MODULE 7 Write a paper of 2,000 words on any relevant topic or subtopic. Suggested Paper Topics: 1. How would you react if you were in Arjuna s place? 2. What wisdom did you learn and how can it be applied? 3. What are the main themes of the story? 4. Does Krishna present a clear path to God? If so, what is it? 5. Compare and contrast this text with another.