Course Description
This course taps the resources of the Christian tradition (and beyond the Christian tradition) for motivating and sustaining social activism. It helps participants develop congregation-based strategies to local/global disparities and structural sin.

Course Goals
• To create a theological framework for reflecting on social change and justice issues.
• To cultivate an understanding of intersectionality that lends itself to correlating the spiritual, social, cultural and psychological dimensions of contemporary social issues.
• To expose participants to faith-based responses to social issues.

Degree Goals addressed in this course
• Develop critical skills for theological analysis of and creative engagement with current challenges and changes in the church and the world.
• Enhance practices of ministry through focused skill development, empowering capable leadership in parish and related contexts.
• Critically engage matters of faith, justice, and human difference in local and global contexts.

Outcomes
Participants will be able to identify the social and cultural dynamics at play in contemporary social concerns.
Participants will have been exposed to faith-based responses.
Participants will be able to identify resources in the Christian tradition that can be used to impact social issues.

Course Activities
Over the term of the course participants will reflect in group conversations and written form on selected readings, and class presentations. Participants will also engage local church leaders/faith agencies, and develop an action plan to respond to the issue.

Course Hours
We meet face-to-face for three hours a week. Participants are expected to spend an additional seven hours a week completing course readings, watching required videos, completing weekly reflections, papers, discussion boards, and other online assignments.