*Please note that this ECD outlines the 40-classroom hour course and the 30-hour classroom course plus 10 hours of directed learning activities (DLAs). Any course specific information is italicized.

Fall 2014/Pasadena

IS500

Cormode

IS500: TOUCHSTONE (4 Units: 160 hours). Scott Cormode.


DESCRIPTION: This course focuses on vocation. It teaches students the meaning of vocation and then invites them to plan a course of study that will prepare them for that calling. The course will also address issues that regularly arise as students investigate vocation (e.g. finances).

LEARNING OUTCOMES: (1) Students will demonstrate an understanding of the theological concept of vocation; (2) students will demonstrate an ability to use practical theology to make sense of everyday situations; (3) Students will demonstrate knowledge of personal finance; (4) Students will investigate spiritual practices.

COURSE FORMAT: For courses meeting on Tuesday-Thursday, 1:00-2:50pm & Monday-Wednesday, 11:00-12:50pm: This class meets twice weekly for two hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom for lecture and discussion (including 10 hours of participation in vocation and formation groups).

For the course meeting on Wednesday, 6:30-9:20pm: This class meets once per week for three hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion (including 10 hours of participation in vocation and formation groups) plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours.

REQUIRED READING:

Branson, Mark and Juan Martinez. Churches, Cultures & Leadership. IVP, 2011. ISBN: 978-0830839261, Pub. Price $25.00 [270 pp.].

Scharen, Christian. Faith as a Way of Life. Eerdmans, 2008. ISBN: 978-0802862310, Pub. Price $16.00 [152 pp.].

Online Reader (58 articles; 29 teaching videos).

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: For courses meeting on Tuesday-Thursday, 1:00-2:50pm & Monday-Wednesday, 11:00-12:50pm (40 class instructional hours):

  1. 422 pages of required book reading. [28 hours]

  2. 58 online articles. [15 hours]

  3. Viewing 29 videos of Fuller Professors. [10 hours].

  4. Completion of five 750-word essays using practical theology to address everyday issues (50%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3]. [45 hours].

  5. Completion of spiritual exercises including Examen and writing a lament (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4]. [3 hours].

  6. Completion of a written financial plan and a money autobiography (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3]. [7 hours]

  7. Completion of an essay on vocation and a written curricular plan (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. [6 hours].

  8. Completion of Interview on vocation (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. [6 hours].

For the course meeting on Wednesday, 6:30-9:20pm (30 class instructional hours + 10 hours of DLAs):

  1. 422 pages of required book reading. [28 hours]

  2. 58 online articles. [15 hours]

  3. Viewing 29 videos of Fuller Professors. [10 hours].

  4. Completion of six 750-word essays using practical theology to address everyday issues (50%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3]. [55 hours (10 of which count as DLAs)].

  5. Completion of spiritual exercises including Examen and writing a lament (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4]. [3 hours].

  6. Completion of a written financial plan and a money autobiography (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3]. [7 hours].

  7. Completion of an essay on vocation and a written curricular plan (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. [6 hours].

  8. Completion of Interview on vocation (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. [6 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None. Recommended in first year of study.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets a core integrative requirement in the 120 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.

For your convenience, order these texts online through the Archives Bookshop.