Summer Intensive Courses 2010

March 23, 2010

Meadville Lombard's faculty present a variety of opportunities for students, ministers and lay leaders to delve deeper in the arts and music of worship, ethical models from other faith traditions.

To register for these courses you must have a student ID number.  If you do not already, obtain one by registering as a Student At-Large.  Register now at the registration page.

Contemporary Paganism: Now; Its History; Its Future
Margot Adler
July 9 to 11, 2010
Chicago, Illinois

Learn about Neo Paganism from one of the leading authorities on contemporary Paganism.  NPR correspondent and author of Drawing Down the Moon, Margot Adler, will lead this weekend course that looks at the history, present and future of Neo Paganism.  In the course of the class you will create a ritual - for any purpose, as long as it accomplishes the goals of ritual: change the atmosphere and create a sense of connection and community.  See the syllabus for course requirements.

Margot Adler is an NPR correspondent based in New York where her reports air on NPR's award-winning shows "All Things Considered," "Morning Edition," and "Weekend Edition."  She is the author of the book, Drawing Down the Moon, a study of contemporary nature religions and Heretic's Heart, a 1960s memoir.

Preaching As If You Mean It
The Rev. Dr. William F. Schulz 
July 12 to 16, 2010
Chicago, Illinois

Spend this week with other seminarians and ministers, clarifying your fundamental message and exploring how to "preach as if you mean it."  See the syllabus for course requirements.

Bill Schulz is a former president of the UUA, former Executive Director of Amnesty International USA, and is now Interim President/CEO of the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.

Arts and Aesthetics
The Rev. John W. Tolley, Ph.D. 
July 12 to 16, 2010
Chicago, Illinois

Design a "religious arts educational event" typical of one of the following: an adult education setting, a Sunday school class, a recognition banquet or fellowship event.  This can have as its focus the creation of a visual statement, dramatic production or liturgical dance element in worship.  See the syllabus for course requirements.

John Tolley teaches arts of ministry in religious art and aesthetics at Meadville Lombard Theological School. He has served congregations for twenty-two years in Indiana, Tennessee, New Jersey, and Connecticut. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Theater from New York University.

Approaches to Theology: Interfaith Public Theologies
Michael Hogue, Ph.D. 
July 19 to 23, 2010
Chicago, Illinois

Appropriate for both beginning and advanced theology students, this course asks students to consider what public theology looks like in a pluralistic, globalizing, interreligious world.  This class is a great overview of theology in general and provides a good foundation for the required liberal theology class.  See the syllabus for course requirements.

Mike Hogue is Associate Professor of Theology at Meadville Lombard Theological School.  He won the John Templeton Award for Theological Promise in 2008, is author of The Tangled Bank: Towards An Ecotheological Ethics of Responsible Participation (2008), his second book, The Promise of Religious Naturalism is due to come out Fall 2010.  His work has appeared in the Journal of the American Academy of Religion, CrossCurrents, Zygon: The Journal of Religion and Science, and Literature and Theology. 

Method is the Message
Dr. Mark A. Hicks  
August 15 to 20, 2010
Ferry Beach, Maine

Using theories from faith and developmental learning, this course models how to create and scaffold learning experiences that invite growth and complexity.  Students should also expect to explore developmental learning in light of the changes inherent in living in a multiracial, multicultural world.  See the syllabus for more information.

Mark Hicks is the Angus MacLean Professor of Religious Education at Meadville Lombard Theological School. He holds a doctorate degree in philosophy and education and a Master's degree in higher and adult education, both from Columbia University in New York City. He is recognized nationally for creating curriculum and educational experiences that promote forms of robust reflection that lead to social change.