DESCRIPTION: This course will examine human sexuality from a Christian perspective. The biblical foundations for sexuality will be covered as well as a variety of topics within the field. We are living in a time of great cultural confusion about sex. The church has been silent, except for negative admonitions, for centuries. Students will develop tools for dealing with sexuality in the local church.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will (1) gain a deeper understanding of the ways in which sexuality impacts Christian formation, discipleship, and ministry; (2) gain an increased appreciation of the biblical foundations for healthy sexuality; (3) develop practical ministry skills which might be helpful when assisting people whose sexuality has become impacted by abuse, addiction, or trauma.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Sexual sin has been one of the most prevalent causes of harm to the church in the last few decades. This should not surprise us as it has also been one of the chief ways great leaders were tempted in the Old Testament (Joshua, David, and Solomon). This has not just been a problem in the Catholic Church. A recent study revealed that 40% of all evangelical pastors struggled with Internet pornography. Members of our churches are longing for answers to tough sexual issues. Young people want to know what healthy sexuality is and what boundaries should they practice and for what reasons. This course will challenge students to develop their own model of healthy sexuality that they can use in their ministries.

COURSE FORMAT: Class sessions will consist of lectures by the professors and guest lecturers, discussion, case study analysis, video tape presentations, and small group participation. The class will meet for four-hour sessions, Monday-Friday, for two weeks.

REQUIRED READING:

Balswick, Judy and Jack. The Gift of Gender. Victor Books, 1991.

Fortune, Marie. Is Nothing Sacred? Harper-Collins, 1989.

Laaser, Mark. Healing the Wounds of Sexual Addiction. Zondervan, 2004.

Penner, Joyce and Cliff. The Gift of Sex. Word, 1981.

James B. Nelson, and Sandra P. Longfellow, eds. Sexuality and the Sacred. Westminster/John Knox, 1994.

Additional recommended reading will be listed in the course syllabus.

1. Read all required texts plus additional reading for a total of at least 1200 pages. Submit brief one-page critiques of each of the required books; the first critique due on the third day of class, the second due the first Friday of class, the remaining two due the last day of class (20% of grade).

2. Write an 8-10 page research paper including both a personal reflection on a model of healthy sexuality and this model's relevance for the local church, due September 5 (40% of grade). Students may elect to construct the outline of a teaching curriculum for some local church group (youth, young adult, singles, married couples, etc.)

3. Final exam, multiple choice and true and false, on last day of class (25% of grade).

4. Class attendance and participation (15% of grade).