Winter 2015

IS500

Bolsinger and O’Donnell Long

IS500: TOUCHSTONE (4 Units: 160 hours). Tod Bolsinger and Michaela O’Donnell Long.

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: 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:

  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].

  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.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets an 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.

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