Winter and Spring Quarters

UCOR 1000: Arts and Christian Community

This course (5 credits) considers the question "who am I and for what have I been created?" Through examining literary and artistic works that have shaped cultures past and present, it explores how we are created to be unique persons and to be in community with others. Key themes are artistic ways of knowing; individualism, and conformity; and faith as a formative virtue.

Winter

CRN/SUBJ      CRSE      Emphasis               Instructor

22732 UCOR    1000        English                   Segall, Kimberly

22734 UCOR    1000        Theatre                   Ryder, Andrew

22737 UCOR    1000        Music                     Sigars, Julie Kae

24218 UCOR    1000        Art                          Gutowsky-Zimmerman, Karen

24449 UCOR    1000        English                   Amorose, Tom

25502 UCOR    1000        Art                          Feldman, Roger

26054 UCOR    1000        Music                     Hughes, Cherie

28020 UCOR    1000        Communication       Pope, Debbie

 

Spring

CRN/SUBJ      CRSE      Emphasis               Instructor

42337 UCOR    1000        English                   Wolfe, Suzanne

42338 UCOR    1000        Communication       Purcell, Bill

42339 UCOR    1000        English                   VanZanten, Susan

42341 UCOR    1000        Music                     Brown, Carlene

42342 UCOR    1000        English                   Thorpe, Doug

42975 UCOR    1000        Music                     Sigars, Julie Kae

43421 UCOR    1000        Communication       Pope, Debbie

45057 UCOR    1000        Music                     Hughes, Cherie

46290 UCOR    1000        Music                     Newby, Stephen

 

UFDN 1000: Accents (5 credits)

Overall Course Description

University Foundations 1000: Christian Formation introduces the processes and practices of Christian formation, as reflected throughout the history of the Christian church. Christian life is formed by distinctive beliefs, practices, attitudes, and virtues. Every student, regardless of religious background, will engage texts, written and non-written, ancient and modern, that foster these characteristics of the Christian life. 
 

Section Descriptions

N. Gupta  (winter/spring) – Christian Formation: The Cross – This section examines how the concept, language, and theology of the cross is not only important for understanding how Jesus died for human sin, but also how it models a way of life in discipleship. From the Apostle Paul to Martin Luther to Dietrich Bonhoeffer, we will explore what it means to know “Christ and him crucified” (1 Cor. 2:2).

• WINTER CRN: 22743
• SPRING CRN: 42350

D. Keuss (winter) – Christian Formation: Neighbors – We will consider Christian faith formation within the context of the question of 'who is your neighbor?' We will investigate neighbors from other faith traditions/religions and ask questions such as how do our faiths differ? Should differences be reconciled, transcended or used as markers to delineate our faith groups? What does biblical scripture say about living faithfully in a pluralistic society?

• WINTER: 26078

J. Keuss  (winter) – Christian Formation: Culture – How does the Christian faith live move and have its being in contemporary culture? This section will address the ways the Christian tradition has engaged high, low, and popular culture through the centuries with particular attention to how mass media, popular music, film, television, gaming, sports, and fashion have shaped and challenge what we understanding by the church, Scripture, doctrine, and practice.

• WINTER: 26076

S. Koenig  (winter/spring) – Christian Formation: Identity – Who are you? How have you come to be who you are? Who are you in the process of becoming? Who do you want to be? This section starts from the premise that each one of us is a unique, unrepeatable individual whose identity is formed and shaped by a number of things: by what we love, by our family, by our experiences, and in relationship with others. The ultimate goal of this course will be to deepen our understanding of our primary identity as beloved children of God.

• WINTER: 26077
• SPRING: 44560

M. Langford  (winter/spring) – Christian Formation: Matthew – What does the first book of the New Testament tell us about Jesus? What does it tell us about the Christian life of faith? In this section, we will walk through the first Gospel — including the Sermon on the Mount — and delve into the meaning(s) of the text, examine the historical emergence of “the Way,” participate in the rudiments of studying Scripture, follow the spiritual development of the disciples, and learn about the formative practices that characterized the followers of the rabbi they would claim to be the Christ.

• WINTER: 22741
• SPRING: 42348
  

B. Lim  (winter/spring) – Christian Formation: Wisdom – The Scriptures describe life as a journey on a path that leads either to fullness of life for the wise or ruin for the foolish. This journey involves key events and stages. In fact, the Book of Proverbs imagines a young person having to pass through rites of passage from one stage of maturity to another. So what does it mean to be wise? The life of the wise is the cultivation of character and competence and living in harmony with creation and community. In this class we will seek to grow in wisdom through exploring key events, beliefs, and practices of Christianity, reflecting on how culture and community impact decisions, and gaining direction and guidance for the Christian faith.

• WINTER: 22739
• SPRING: 42346

D. Nienhuis  (spring) – Christian Formation: Basics – This course is designed as an introduction for those who would like a basic overview of Christian faith. Are you a new Christian? A non-Christian? Or maybe you were raised in the church but never really learned much about Christianity? Or perhaps you just have some nagging questions that keep you from fully embracing the faith? We’ll be sure to cover your questions, but basic course topics will be the Christian Church; its book, the Bible; its distinctive view of God; the nature of its belief and mission; and the various branches of the Christian Church.

• SPRING: 42345

E. Smyth  (winter/spring) – Christian Formation: The Run – Life is one big race for people seeking identity, fulfillment, and meaning in life. When we allow God to be at the center of our lives, then the race becomes the run of our life! What changes will you have to allow to take place in your life’s journey as you consider God, and being Christian?

• WINTER: 22742
• SPRING: 42347

F. Spina  (spring) – Christian Formation: Church – This course stresses the church as the essence of Christianity. Why? The church provides us with the Scriptures, which testify to Christ, his person and work, who is the church’s Lord. The church is the Body of Christ. The church was generated and is sustained by the Holy Spirit, sent by Christ for this primary purpose. And it is the church from which all Christian mission and every act of Christian service derives. You can’t love Jesus without being part of and loving his church. Which church is this? It is the “one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.”

• SPRING: 44209

L. Sweat  (winter/spring) – Christian Formation: Kingdom – One of Jesus’ central claims in the New Testament is that the kingdom of God has come near. This class will consider Christian faith and life in light of that kingdom proclamation. We will look at the relationship between God’s kingdom and the ancient and modern church, as well as how this kingdom affects the way we live our lives now. By looking closely at the Gospel of Mark, we can see how Jesus’ disciples negotiated Jesus’ calling and the responsibilities of their lives. Considering the Gospel of Mark and other texts, events, beliefs, and practices of Christianity will clarify our understanding God’s kingdom in the world.

• WINTER: 26075
• SPRING: 42556

K. Watson  (winter) – Christian Formation: Community – Christian formation does not occur in isolation. This section considers the variety of ways that Christians are formed through community (congregations, small groups, friendships, family, mentors, online community, and others). In this course, students will encounter and experience a variety of ways that communal formation nurtures love of God and neighbor.

• WINTER: 23482