This course examines in detail the enormous contribution of one of the greatest religious leaders of the 20th century. King's life and contribution to the black church and the Civil Rights Movement will be addressed. His work as a theologian and an ethicist will be studied with reference to his primary works, such as his speeches, sermons, essays and books. The course will discern the major themes of King's works, such as his doctrine of life and his ethic of non-violent resistance.

A chronological survey of outstanding devotional writings from the apostolic age to the present. The focus will be on the breadth of this literature as well as acquaintance with major authors and their works.

This course is an overview of the normal developmental processes and life crises through which a person generally moves from conception to death. Some attention will be given to the technique and teaching tools which a Christian counselor might use to assist the client who is struggling to pass productively through life's stages.

Jerrolynn Johnson, PhD, DMin, LPC jjohns12@ashland.edu 248-559-1400

This course is designed to provide an understanding of some of the holistic approaches to healing, with a major focus on the role of the Spirit in healing. As such, it complements both Biblical Themes in Pastoral Counseling (CO 801) and Counseling Theories (CO 809) by providing the student with an overview of the pastoral counseling process. Within this course, the theoretical and didactic will be wedded to the practical and experiential through the use of both large group presentations and small group interactions. Emphasis will be placed upon the student's personal and spiritual growth.

An introduction to marriage counseling and special issues in family counseling. Attention will be given to history-taking, problem assessment, and therapeutic interventions.

This course will examine the value of treatment planning within the therapeutic endeavor, general guiding principles for treatment planning, and well-researched, effective treatment protocols for dealing with specific DSM-IV diagnoses. (A basic understanding of DSM-IV diagnostics, counseling theory, and mental health treatment is required for this course.)

This course provides a survey of Christian doctrine in the areas of theological method, Scripture, God, creation, humanity, sin, and the person and work of Christ. Together with Christian Theology II, this course will encourage students to develop a theology that is faithful to Scripture, conversant with Christian tradition, and relevant to contemporary contexts.

John Swope, PhD jswope@ashland.edu 419-289-5772

This course introduces students to the foundations of theological education at Ashland Theological Seminary. It explains the seminary's curriculum model, provides assessment of students in personal and professional areas, and leads to the development of a personal Formation Covenant that will guide the student through the seminary experience.

Pamela Pangborn ppangbor@ashland.edu 248-559-1400

OFFERED ONLY FALL QUARTER! Students should plan to enroll in IT 694 within the first 36 credit hours of course work. This is a hybrid course with an introductory seminar and online class work. The majority of the coursework is 200 hours of field ministry. The student is responsible to arrange the site and mentor for their Field Study. NOTE: IT 694 is only offered Fall Quarter! All students who anticipate beginning Field Study in an academic year must enroll in the Fall Quarter. Students may enroll in the course in the fall and wait to start the actual ministry of their Field Study later in the year. The 200 hours of ministry may span more than one quarter. Theological Field Education is the intentional use of ministry experience as a transforming opportunity aimed at personal and ministry formation. This Distance Learning course will examine the purpose of experiential education, the program requirements for theological field education at this seminary. Field Study involves direct mentoring, theological reflection, and case studies. The course focuses on achieving competency, if not excellence, in the student's area of study and their context of ministry. It encourages the integration of academic learning with the practice of ministry, while under the direct supervision of a Field Mentor. Each student will need a field site where they are actively involved with ministry and an on-site Field Mentor. The student will develop basic personal and ministry competencies and complete written reports based on their ministry experience.

John Swope, PhD jswope@ashland.edu 419-289-5772

This basic course in homiletics is designed to introduce students to the history, theories, methods and purposes of preaching. The course is also designed to introduce students to a variety of methods for the development, delivery and evaluation of sermons. The students will be aided in understanding how to do biblical exegesis for preaching and how to use a lectionary or some other method of text and topic selection that will allow them to keep their preaching biblically focused and doctrinally solid.

This course is designed to introduce students to the historic practices of pastoral care as set forth both in scripture and in church history. Pastoral care will be viewed as the balance between preacher and shepherd, and the shepherd's role will be viewed as involving three distinct levels of activity: one-on-one interactions; the pastor equipping members of the congregation to care for one another; and the congregation embracing its responsibility to the surrounding community and the wider world.

Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Nelson, MA, DMin

This course is intended to introduce students to the history of the black preaching tradition in the United States, and to the various forms of preaching that are presently employed by black preachers throughout the country. The primary emphasis will be on the rich diversity of form and content that falls under the term "Black Preaching." This is not a how-to course that promises students that they will be able to preach in a certain way. Preaching is an art form and a system of work and study habits that each person must develop and refine over time. This course is meant to offer wide exposure to the concepts and definitions of Black Preaching.