Rev. Dr. Megan Ruth Visser

INTRODUCTION TO THEA/OLOGICAL ETHICS: “WORK OUR SOULS MUST HAVE” (FALL 2016)

Thea/ological ethics has been described as “an art of doing the work our souls must have” (Emilie M. Townes). This course introduces diverse methods of moral decision-making to religious leaders. Using on-line tools and live web-based video sessions, students will engage concepts and tools related to the opportunities and challenges of prophetic moral leadership in congregations, organizations, and society. The class gathers weekly to build moral community, reflect on key multi-religious sources of ethics, and exercise their skills in applying concepts to real-life situations and providing ethical guidance to individuals and communities. Readings, multimedia resources, and assignments educate to counter systemic oppression and promote diverse forms of scholar-activism and leadership. Serving as a foundational course in ethics, students will be given the opportunity to tailor course requirements to fit their particular tradition. This is a Hybrid course. This is a Hybrid course, using Adobe Connect technology.

COMMUNITY INTERNSHIP INTEGRATIVE REFLECTION SEMINAR (FALL 2016 & SPRING 2017)

Students involved in community internships will meet together for reflection on their work, as it is only through the processes of theological reflection and critical reflection on experience that field work becomes field education. This class includes readings, discussions and writings and is designed to broaden and to deepen students’ analytic perspective on their field site contexts and on their roles as religious leaders and professionals. Students will be grow in their ability to think and learn in a praxis oriented way, that is, allowing situations of practice to deepen and challenge their academic knowledge about theo/alogies, and allowing their academic knowledge of theology to deepen and challenge their practice of leadership. In field-based experiences the depth of students’ learning depends entirely upon how well they can implement praxis oriented learning. This is a Hybrid course, using Adobe Connect technology, and can be taken for 1 or 2 semesters.

SEXUAL ETHICS (JANUARY 2017)

January 12-16, Week-long Intensive, Starr King School for the Ministry.

Sexuality is sacred. This intensive course examines the role of sexual health for faith communities and their leaders.  Students will engage key theological, ethical and public health perspectives on themes in sexual ethics, including sexual freedom and responsibility, pleasure and desire, relationships, meaningful consent, power, and prophetic witness for sexual justice. The course also provides students pursuing ministry and leadership within a tradition the opportunity to demonstrate their competency in professional clergy sexual ethics and promoting sexually healthy congregations. Particular emphasis is paid to queer and womanist/feminist voices on sexuality and faith. Format is a week-long seminar; prerequisite readings, case studies, and final projects will be announced.

DYNAMIC YOUTH MINISTRY (SPRING 2017)

Co-designed with Betty Jeanne Rueters-Ward, Starr King School for the Ministry

This lively and interactive course grounds participants in philosophical, psychological, programmatic, ethical and theological aspects of youth ministry. Geared particularly toward Unitarian Universalists, this course seeks to embody a vision of youth ministry that is a vibrant, robust, and flexible part of every congregation. Topics of instruction include leadership and spiritual development, professional support for youth advisors, denominational polity, adolescent life issues, building intergenerational community, and a critical analysis of different models of youth ministry and programming. Recommended for all religious leaders, both new and old to youth ministry. This is an online course, using Moodle.