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Updated: 01/02/07
Our Theological House: An Introduction to Theology for Unitarian Universalists
Fall Semester
Roy Phillips
Traversing the classical topics of systematic theology (the nature of God, humanity, Christ, Spirit, sin and salvation, and the purpose of the church), this course will introduce Unitarian Universalists and interested fellow travelers to the distinctive theological perspectives that give our theological house its shape and character. The course will include readings in the history of theology and contemporary sources, combined with online discussions and reflection papers. The goal is to deepen Unitarian Universalist theological competency and creativity in our emerging post-modern context. This course, developed by Starr King President and Professor of Theology Rebecca Parker, is open to Unitarian Universalist seminarians enrolled in schools outside the Graduate Theological Union, ministers, lay professionals and interested lay people. / The Rev. Roy Phillips served for 37 years as U.U. minister in congregations in Arizona, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio and Florida. He has a degree in philosophy from Boston University and in theology from Meadville/Lombard Theological School at the University of Chicago.
SKOL 4005
3 units
Limit: 15
Click for Syllabus and Booklist
Introduction To Liberal Religious Education
Fall Semester
Sheri Prud'homme
This online seminar course provides a broad introduction to the theory and practice of liberal religious education, with an emphasis on Unitarian Universalist congregations. Topics include philosophy of Unitarian Universalist religious education, teaching and learning, developmental theories, the congregation as an educating community, social justice visions for religious education, current approaches and innovations in religious education for all ages, collegial relationships and professional standards for religious educators, and curriculum resources. The course draws from on another by the same name, developed by Betty Jo Middleton, Roberta M. Nelson, Eugene B. Navias, and Judith Mannheim, with support from a St. Lawrence Foundation grant. / Rev. Sheri Prud'homme is a 1999 graduate of Starr King School for the Ministry. She has served interim ministries of religious education at the UU churches in Oakland and Davis, California, and also as the Pacific Central District Lifespan Religious Education Consultant. Supported by a grant from the Fund for Unitarian Universalism, she co-created Chalice Camp, a summer day camp curriculum now being used across the country to foster UU identity and understanding of UU history and theology in elementary aged children. She has also taught for four years on the associate faculty at Starr King.
SKOL 4010
3 units
Limit: 15
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Nonviolent Living in a Violent World
Fall Semester
Ken Jones
This course is intended to help reconcile the ideal and the real. The ideal is nonviolent living as exemplified by the life of Mahatma Gandhi; the real is the commodified, consumer-oriented culture that permeates both individual and institutional life in the developed world. We will begin with a brief study of Gandhi's life and writing, focusing on his responses to violence, both direct and indirect. We'll then examine our current socio-economic-political context, paying particular attention to the often invisible and indirect causes of violence perpetuated by a consumer society and the global economy. Finally, we'll explore some contemporary pioneers who are offering tools and methods to live nonviolently in accord with the religious principles of nonviolence. / Rev. Ken Jones serves as Parish Minister at the Tahoma UU Congregation in Tacoma, Washington, and is a 1999 Starr King Graduate. He has a special interest in ecological and economic justice issues. Ken lives on an island in the Puget Sound with his wife and daughter, where they are working on starting a community supported organic farm.
SKOL 4011
3 units
Limit: 15
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Unitarian Universalist History
Fall Semester
Roxanne Seagraves
This is a graduate course in Unitarian Universalist history. The course will follow Unitarianism and Universalism from the Renaissance, Reformation, Radical Reformation and their development in Europe to their history in America, and critically examine contemporary issues. This is a semester-long course designed for Unitarian Universalist seminarians who don't have access to courses in denominational history at or near their seminaries. / Dr. Roxanne Seagraves received her Ph.D. from the GTU and Starr King in 2002. She received her M.Div. from Starr King in 1995. She continues her research into American Religious History, and the roots of 20th century Humanist/Spiritualist debates among UU's and Quakers. She lives and teaches in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
SKOL 4009
3 units
Limit: 15
Click for Syllabus and Booklist
Andalusia: Judaism, Islam and Christianity, Part 1
Fall Semester
Ibrahim Farajajé
This course invites the student to engage in an interactive, multi-media process of beginning to reconceptualise the ways in which Judaism, Islam and Christianity have been heretofore studied. We are only now beginning to acknowledge the radical importance of studying Judaism, Islam, and Christianity together. Islam is often constructed as a problematic Other and therefore seen as having nothing in common with and nothing to do with anything outside of its own realm. The histories and processes of interaction between the three traditions in Muslim Andalusia will be studied through text, music, architecture, graphic art, ecology, etc. Instead of looking exclusively at three discrete and distinct traditions, we will examine how the three informed each other within the context of al-Andalus. This will provide a paradigm which we will then interrogate as we look at how historiography, geography, bodies, genders, identities, notions of race and fictions of purity, relationships of class and power intersect in the development of these religious traditions. This will lay the groundwork for further collaborative study of the three religious traditions. In the Spring Semestre, in addition to the work on Andalusia proper, we will also look at the implications of these intersections in the post-1492 Americas, as well as in the history of Islam in Bosnia. Where is East? Where is West? / Dr. Ibrahim Farajajé received his doctorate in Theology for groundbreaking work on the spiritual connection between the African Diaspora and Africa. Farajajé has researched Islam with an emphasis on the African American experience and Moroccan Sufism, as well as the Yoruba and Maria Lionza religions in the Caribbean and Latin America. The recipient of numerous awards and honors, Farajajé will lead the school's Andalusian Project. He is applying his work in postcolonial/Diaspora studies, cultural studies, critical theory and video technologies to an investigation of 21st century Islam, the development of Islamophobia and questions of identity and diversity in Muslim communities.
HR 4800
3 units
Limit: 15
Click for Temporary Syllabus and Booklist
Children's Literature: A Religious Education
Spring Semester
Keith Kron
A spider saves the life of a pig. A teenage girl integrates a high school in the South. Children make cranes for a sick classmate. A mouse holds memories for its community. A boy learns about the differences between his choices and his abilities. "Charlotte's Web," "Warriors Don't Cry," "Sadako and the 1000 Paper Cranes," "Frederick," "Harry Potter." These books for children and many others contain the stories of meaning, of life, of death. Immersing ourselves in the words and pictures of books for and about children, this course will examine the religious, theological and pastoral themes found in the wide world of children's literature and how these might be of use in ministry to others. Participants will be asked to read several children's books a week, participate in online discussions and complete reflection papers and projects. / The Rev. Keith Kron is a Starr King graduate and Director of the UUA's Office of Bisexual, Gay, Lesbian and Transgender Concerns.
SKOL 4000
3 units
Limit: 15
Click for Tentative Syllabus and Requirements
Congregational Polity
Spring Semester
Mark W. Harris
This is an online course about the history and development of congregational polity in the Unitarian Universalist tradition. How did congregational polity evolve, and what were the differences in Unitarian and Universalist approaches to governance? We'll especially address issues of authority. Where does the congregation/denomination find its sources of authority? Where does the minister find his/her authority? How do we feel about hierarchies? We'll look at how religious communities make decisions, support their leaders and define their roles for ministry. In the context of ministry, we'll especially focus on issues of power and gender, the call, as well as the meaning and context for worship and rites of passage. How does the minister answer the question, who's in charge? / The Rev. Mark Harris is a 1978 graduate of Starr King. He has served churches in Sheffield, England and in Palmer, Milton, and currently Watertown, MA. He also teaches at Andover Newton Theological School. He is a former Director of Information for the UUA, and is the author of Historical Dictionary of Unitarian Universalism.
SKOL 4006
3 units
Limit: 15
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Unitarian Universalist Community Ministry
Spring Semester
Tawna Nicholas Cooley
An overview course on the theological, institutional and practical aspects of Unitarian Universalist community ministry. Exploration of the following as it relates to Unitarian Universalism and community ministry: history, theology, denominational polity, institutional factors, ministerial call, settlement, congregational relationships, anti-oppression and community ministry in other religious traditions. / Rev. Tawna Cooley, a U.U. minister with an M.Div. from Starr King, was a member of the 1995 Starr King Community Ministry Project. She was Starr King's representative to the 1996 Consultation on Community Ministry in Boston, on the P.C.D. Task Force on Community Ministry, and a founding and current member of the P.C.D. Community Ministry Council. Tawna has also conducted workshops on community ministry at G.A.
SKOL 4008
3 units
Limit: 15
Click for Syllabus and Booklist
World Religions
Spring Semester
Tawna Nicholas Cooley with Naomi Seidman and Nayer Taheri
The online World Religions course is focused on major, centuries-old but living religions. A scholar/ practitioner in each religion has been invited to teach most sections, so the students will learn from the experience and expertise of several professors in this course. In most sections, students will be required to purchase a soft-cover book, recommended by the professor. Every effort is made to choose books that are easily available and low in cost. Students will be expected to post a one-page reflection paper each week, as well as interact with their peers in the course. Lectures will be available for some sections. A final paper of 10-12 pages is required. More information about expectations will be available to those who register for the class. / The Rev. Tawna Cooley, a Starr King School graduate, is overseeing this online course, and will be present for students throughout the semester.
SKOL 4007
3 units
Limit: 15
Click for Syllabus and Booklist
Andalusia: Judaism, Islam and Christianity, Part 2
Spring Semester
Ibrahim Farajajé
This course invites the student to engage in an interactive, multi-media process of beginning to reconceptualise the ways in which Judaism, Islam and Christianity have been heretofore studied. We are only now beginning to acknowledge the radical importance of studying Judaism, Islam, and Christianity together. Islam is often constructed as a problematic Other and therefore seen as having nothing in common with and nothing to do with anything outside of its own realm. The histories and processes of interaction between the three traditions in Muslim Andalusia will be studied through text, music, architecture, graphic art, ecology, etc. Instead of looking exclusively at three discreet and distinct traditions, we will examine how the three informed each other within the context of al-Andalus. This will provide a paradigm which we will then interrogate as we look at how historiography, geography, bodies, genders, identities, notions of race and fictions of purity, relationships of class and power intersect in the development of these religious traditions. This will lay the groundwork for further collaborative study of the three religious traditions. In the Spring Semestre, in addition to the work on Andalusia proper, we will also look at the implications of these intersections in the post-1492 Americas, as well as in the history of Islam in Bosnia. Where is East? Where is West? / Dr. Ibrahim Farajajé received his doctorate in Theology for groundbreaking work on the spiritual connection between the African Diaspora and Africa. Farajajé has researched Islam with an emphasis on the African American experience and Moroccan Sufism, as well as the Yoruba and Maria Lionza religions in the Caribbean and Latin America. The recipient of numerous awards and honors, Farajajé will lead the school's Andalusian Project. He is applying his work in postcolonial/Diaspora studies, cultural studies, critical theory and video technologies to an investigation of 21st century Islam, the development of Islamophobia and questions of identity and diversity in Muslim communities.
HR 4801
3 units
Prerequisite: Fall Part 1 class is required.
Limit: 15
Click for Temporary Syllabus and Booklist
Islam in India: Islam in a Context of Religious Pluralism
Spring Semester
Ibrahim Farajajé
This course will examine the history of Islam in India, with a particular emphasis on how its interactions with other religious traditions. We will look in particular at the dynamics of religious interactions in contexts that challenge notions of religions in neatly defined and oppositional relationships. How are religious identities articulated in colonial/post-colonial contexts? What are their implications? We will also look at how this plays out in the South Asian diaspora. For example, how are contemporary "Hosay" traditions of Trinidad connected to Shi'i Muslim practices in India? / Dr. Ibrahim Farajajé received his doctorate in Theology for groundbreaking work on the spiritual connection between the African Diaspora and Africa. Farajajé has researched Islam with an emphasis on the African American experience and Moroccan Sufism, as well as the Yoruba and Maria Lionza religions in the Caribbean and Latin America. The recipient of numerous awards and honors, Farajajé will lead the school's Andalusian Project. He is applying his work in postcolonial/Diaspora studies, cultural studies, critical theory and video technologies to an investigation of 21st century Islam, the development of Islamophobia and questions of identity and diversity in Muslim communities.
HR 4829
3 units
Limit: 15
Click for Temporary Syllabus and Booklist
Most online courses are open only to students not enrolled at a Graduate Theological Union member school.
Starr King onsite courses:
2006-2007
Fall / Intersession / Spring / Summer / Saturday Intensives
Click for 2007-2008 online courses
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