ELCA CROSS-REGISTRATION COURSES FOR JANUARY TERM 2016
(as of 9/30/15)
The J-Term Reciprocity Program opens selected J-Term courses to degree candidates in all
eight ELCA seminaries on the basis of cross-registration. Only the courses below are available
for cross-registration.
NOTE: For January Term courses below, registration for course credit is through LTSP, with applicable
course tuition paid to LTSP at LTSP rates. Please understand the following:
 Trips generally require advance registrations and payment of deposits by early Fall. Contact the
host seminary directly to register for the actual trips, make any required deposits, and obtain
advance preparation information.
 Tuition payable to LTSP for trips sponsored by other seminaries is not eligible for the 50% tuition
offset provided for course credit for LTSP-sponsored trips.
 For clarification as to whether a course below will fulfill LTSP degree requirements and for a
determination of the credit that will be received at LTSP, contact Dean Sebastian
(jsebastian@ltsp.edu). Dr. Sebastian may also be able to discern if an immersion trip will satisfy
global, ecumenical, or interfaith requirements and can advise you as to whether or not a followup paper is required for submission to him.
 In the case of on-campus courses, students are expected to contact the host seminary regarding
housing arrangements, the cost of which is the student’s responsibility.
 For further information on courses below, consult the seminary’s website or contact that
seminary’s registrar.
Luther Seminary (www.luthersem.edu)
Registrar Diane Doncits (ddoncits@luthersem.edu)
CD1613-01/02 HOLY LAND-PEOPLE PLACES PRAYERS – TRAVEL COURSE
An introduction to the history, cultures, and peoples of Israel and Palestine. Participants in this course
visit places holy to Christians, Jews, and Muslims, exploring the biblical texts associated with those
places and the opportunities they present for enhancing preaching and teaching. Participants also learn
about current geo-political realities in the region, visiting with Palestinians and Israelis and hearing their
stories, their struggles, and their hopes for the future. The class will include historical and theological
reading, reflection, and discussion. This course will have a significant cross-cultural learning component.
Half course option=CD1613-01; Full course option=CD1613-02.
Instructors: Kathryn Schifferdecker; Karoline Lewis
CONTACT INSTRUCTORS FOR DETAILS
January 12–25, 2016
CY4570-01 RELATIONAL MINISTRY AND THE FUTURE OF THE CHURCH
A course that examines the theological, historical and sociological bases for relational/incarnational
youth ministry. The course is designed to look at popular understandings of relational/incarnational
ministry, assessing them through a theological understand of relationships. Students will be given the
tools to use a relational/incarnational approach to youth ministry engendered from theological and
strategic perspectives.
Full course
Instructor: Andrew Root
January 12–15, 2016
HC1352-01 LUTHER THE PASTOR – TRAVEL COURSE
An examination of how Luther and his followers taught and practiced preaching, worship, catechesis,
reading the Bible, prayer, oversight, and pastoral care. The course focuses on many of the practical
pastoral issues of the reformation.
Full course
Instructor: Mary Jane Haemig
CONTACT INSTRUCTOR FOR DETAILS
January 1–20, 2016
HC1367-01 CHRISTIANITY IN INDIA – TRAVEL COURSE
An immersion learning experience that provides an in-depth study of the history and theological
contributions of Christian communities of India, including the ancient Saint Thomas Christian Orthodox
community. This course emphasizes Christian life in a multi-cultural and multi-religious context,
ministry, mission, and Christian leadership. As a travel seminar, exposure and participation in the multireligious context will help develop insights and skills for ministry in a religiously, culturally and ethnically
plural world.
Full course
Instructor: Lois Farag
CONTACT INSTRUCTOR FOR DETAILS
January 4–29, 2016
RM4515-01 MINISTRY IN SMALL TOWN AND RURAL (STaR) CONTEXTS – TRAVEL COURSE
Students, together with clergy and lay persons from small town and rural congregations, study issues
affecting America’s small town and rural (STaR) communities. Clergy and lay persons from STaR
congregations and communities are engaged as part of the course. Contexts include southwestern
Minnesota, Iowa, and North Dakota. Implications for ministry and leadership in these contexts are
explored. Because contexts change, course may be repeated for credit. A $100 non-refundable deposit
may be required. Course may fulfill cross-cultural requirement.
Full course
Instructor: Alvin Luedke
CONTACT INSTRUCTOR FOR DETAILS
January 11–17, 2016, at Shalom Hill Farm; January 18–24, 2016 in Eastern North Dakota
Pacific Lutheran Seminary (www.plts.edu)
Contact Christopher Evans (cevans@plts.edu)
Ministry in the City: New City Parish (1009 N Market Street, Inglewood, CA 90302)
This 5-day course serves as an introduction to the cross-cultural and Spanish Immersion program and
provides participants the opportunity for experiential learning among the eight urban congregations of
the New City Parish. We model the style of teaching and learning typical of our urban settings in which
there is heavy emphasis on experience and reflection. Instructors follow the methodology of the
Comunidades de Base of South and Central America: SEE the reality, REFLECT on how Scripture speaks
to that reality, and ACT as a result of what has been learned.
January 7–11, 2016. Class begins on Thursday, January 7, at 5:00 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran, 9300
S Crenshaw Blvd, 90305, as students meet their host families. Class concludes at 1:00 p.m. on
Monday, January 11. Participants live with families in our New City Parish communities. They join in
Bible Study, guided community walks, tours of Los Angeles, Sunday worship, fellowship time, and
share in the vision of the local congregation with lay leaders. Students are assisted with analytical
tools and challenged to share their reflections and, in the closing session, develop together a set of
principles for urban ministry.
Instructors: Rev. James Lobdell, Rev. Brian Eklund
Cost: For those not attending through a seminary or not continuing with the Cross-cultural and
Spanish Immersion program, a fee of $100.00, payable to “New City Parish” is due by 12/1/15. The
fee should be mailed to New City Parish, 1009 N. Market Street, Inglewood, CA 90302. For more
information, e-mail Pr Brian Eklund at brian@newcityparish.org (323) 459-7126.
Two Week Cross-Cultural & Spanish Language Immersion: New City Parish Metropolitan Ministry &
Training Center & CETLALIC (1009 N Market Street, Inglewood, CA 90302)
This 2-week Cross-Cultural & Spanish Language Immersion provides participants the opportunity to
begin or continue the process of learning Spanish and Latin American culture, along with experiencing
the reality of Latino and African descent families who live in Los Angeles. Participants share in a variety
of multicultural experiences with our families, churches and community, learn about the work of urban
nonprofits, study and reflect on relevant Bible themes, and train in the Spanish language in small groups
with professional teachers from CETLALIC, Cuernavaca, Mexico (www.cetlalic.org.mx). The program is a
continuation of the 5-day Ministry in the City course and follows the methodology of the Comunidades
de Base of South and Central America: SEE the reality, REFLECT on how Scripture speaks to that reality,
and ACT as a result of what has been learned. A maximum of 15 persons will be enrolled in the course.
January 11–23, 2016. Begins Monday evening, January 11, at 6:00 pm to review the schedule and
meet our host families. Classes begin on Tuesday, January 12, at 8:30 am, finishing on Saturday
afternoon, January 23, at 2 pm following a closing lunch.
Coordinators: Rev. Brian Eklund, Jorge Torres (Director, CETLALIC)
Cost: For those not registering through their seminary a fee of $980, payable to “New City Parish,” is
due by 12/1/15. Your check to New City Parish holds your place in the class. The check should be
mailed to New City Parish, 1009 N Market St, Inglewood, CA 90302. For more information email
Pastor Brian Eklund at brianeklund@sbcglobal.net (323-459-7126). These fees include the 5-day
Ministry in the City introduction (January 7–11), the language classes, cultural activities, materials,
room and board with host families, and course credits for GTU, Luther and PLTS students. Not
included are costs for transportation to and from the site and occasional meals at local restaurants.
The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (www.lstc.edu)
Registrar Pat Bartley (pbartley@lstc.edu)
CC/RHTH 409 Lifting Every Voice: African Americans and Lutheranism
Africans and African Americans participate in a diversity of religious traditions ranging from historical
African American denominations to predominantly Northern European denominations. Lutheranism is a
global denomination which has attracted African Americans on the North American continent and
Caribbean since the early 1600s. This course investigates the historical engagement of African Americans
within Lutheranism. Students will have an opportunity to hear the stories of contemporary African
American Lutherans whose voices make important contributions to global Lutheranism.
Monday–Friday, January 4–14, 9 a.m.–12 noon
RHS 408 The Bible Unearthed? Archaeology in the Holy Land
What was the world in which the Ancient Israelites, our mothers and fathers in faith, have lived? And
what was their faith in the God of Israel that emerged in this setting? What do we know about the
Israelites’ everyday life, about the cities and about the landscape of Palestine/Israel? This course
introduces the material remains of Israel based on archaeological studies and teaches how to describe
and how to interpret the material remains from Palestine. This course also introduces to the scientific
geological and climatological realities of Israel’s land. The course illuminates how archaeological results
can effectively help to explain scripture by juxtaposing the material remains from antiquity to the texts
of the Old Testament. It intends to answer the question: How can we describe faith at the time of the
Old Testament in its original setting and what part did faith play in the life of Israel? The course seeks to
enable participants to understand their Christian biblical heritage in light of the material remains in a
way that is faithful to scripture, ecumenically sensitive and intellectually defensible. Students will
develop the ability to think contextually about Old Testament texts in light of Ancient Levantine culture
and to relate their own spiritual life to the faith in Ancient Israel.
Monday–Thursday, January 4–14, 9 a.m.–12 noon
ML 401 Healthy Leaders, Healthy Organizations/Congregations
This course provides a stimulating combination of the practical meeting the conceptual. This course
focuses on establishing healthy processes, practices, and relationships in organizations. It emphasizes
intentional, pro-active leadership practices rather than crisis intervention. It seeks to move intentionally
from ideas, theories and paradigms to the application of specific practical approaches for use in varied
settings, both in congregations and other organizations. It works with a developmental model of
personal and organizational growth and change. Pre-requisite for non-LSTC students: Conversation with
the instructor about interest in the course and previous experience. Course limited to 20, with first
priority given to students in upper-division studies in their institutions (e.g., post-internship students in
their final year of seminary studies).
Monday–Friday, January 4–22, 1–5 p.m.
The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Gettysburg (www.ltsg.edu)
Registrar Marty Stevens (mstevens@ltsg.edu)
4.312 Study Tour: Central America (1.5 or 3 credits)
Some of the most dynamic and prophetic faith communities in the world today are to be found in the
lands of Central America. Accompanied by a long-term ELCA resident missionary, and led by Gettysburg
Seminary president Michael Cooper-White, who is bilingual and has visited Central and South America
on several occasions, the viajeros (travelers) will learn about action-reflection models of living the faith,
observe how churches under stressful conditions thrive and grow, and explore implications for ministry
in our own North American context. Participants in the most recent trip described it as “physically
rigorous and not for the faint-of-heart;” i.e. participants must be prepared for stressful experiences
under rugged conditions in both urban and rural contexts.
Instructors: Michael Cooper-White and Maria Erling
Dates: January 15–25, 2016
1.272 Experiencing the Gospel according to Mark (1.5 credits)
Neglected through much of Church history, the Gospel of Mark is now recognized as a true work of
literature that functions narratively to proclaim the “good news of Jesus, God's Son.” While attending to
its narrative features, this course will be attuned to how this Gospel is experienced by a variety of
readers/hearers in various social locations, in order that students in the class may both appreciate the
subtle power of this gospel and themselves become more effective proclaimers of this good news. A
special focus is on the”translation” and “performance” of the gospel in ancient and modern media.
Prerequisite: Gospels course; Recommended: Knowledge of Greek.
Mark Vitalis Hoffman
Jan 19-21, 9:00-11:30, 1:00-4:00; Jan 22, 9:00-11:30; plus pre-class online work
2.310 Theology and Ethics of Martin Luther King, Jr. (3 credits)
A study of the systematic implications of the thought of Martin Luther King, Jr. as expressed in his
writings and public leadership within the Civil Rights Movement from 1955 to 1968.
Dr. Charles S. Brown, Payne Theological Seminary
Jan 11, 8:30–11:30, 1:00–6:00; Jan 12–14, 8:30–11:30, 1:00–5:00, 6:00–8:00; Jan 15, 8:30–11:30,
1:00–5:00
3.111 Personal Financial Literacy (1.5 credits)
The course engages students in the basics of financial terminology and strategies as a means of
increasing financial literacy. The course seeks to enhance leadership skills in the financial arena. Topics
include: understanding financial reports, constructing and evaluating budgets, investing, borrowing,
insurance, and legacy planning.
Marty Stevens
Jan 4, 1:30–4:30; Jan 5–7, 8:30–11:30, 1:30–3:30; Jan 8, 8:30–11:30
3.702 Introduction to Parish Preaching (1.5 credits)
This course introduces students to homiletical theory and practice. Through readings, sermon analysis,
discussion and in-class preaching exercises, students study major theories and preaching practices in historical and contemporary homiletics.
Pastor Steven Loy, Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, Billings, MT
Jan 4, 1:30–4:30; Jan 5–7, 8:30–11:30, 1:30–3:30; Jan 8, 8:30–11:30
3.703 I Have to Preach Every Week? (1.5 credits)
This course is a weekly journey in preaching, from initial encounter with the text to preaching the
sermon. Preachers desiring a method and routine that produces results will find this course instructive.
Prerequisite: Introduction to Preaching course..
Bishop Craig Satterlee, North-West Lower Michigan Synod
Jan 19–22, 8:30–11:30, 1:00–2:00; Jan 23, 8:30–12:30, 1:00–2:00
3.765 Saying the M Word in the Pulpit (1.5 credits)
Preaching about Money, or even naming Money from the pulpit, strikes fear in the preacher and all
sorts of emotions in the congregation. This shows the power Money holds in our culture and church.
Students will gain a theological perspective, practical strategies, and experience in bringing money
under the reign of Christ by naming it in preaching. Prerequisite: Introduction to Preaching course.
Bishop Craig Satterlee, North-West Lower Michigan Synod
Jan 19–22, 2:30–5:30, 6:30–8:00; Jan 23, 2:30–5:30
4.204 Diaconal Ministry Formation Event (3 credits)
Every candidate for consecration as a diaconal minister in the ELCA must take part in a Formation Event,
which provides a diaconal perspective for shaping a course of study and field experience. Participants
will study the Biblical and historical roots and contemporary expressions of diaconal ministry, examine
current models for ministry, and develop spiritual insights and disciplines for active ministry through
worship, prayer, and group processes. Participation in the DMFE requires a positive entrance decision
and a participation fee in addition to tuition.
Mark Oldenburg
Jan 7–12 plus pre-and post-class online work
6.309 STM Religious Vocation, Ministry, & the Movies (3 credits)
Movies have been and remain a powerful source for moral development, intellectual formation, and
pastoral care. The goal of this course is to assist students in their vocational development through a
critical assessment of ministry/religious vocation as depicted in the cinema. Through this practical
theological endeavor, students will develop their abilities to identify in films themes relevant to religious
vocation/ministry, and also to reflect on the meaning of those themes for their own vocation and
pastoral ministry. Particular focal-themes include “Minister as Saint/Sinner,” “Minister as
Prophet/Clueless,” “Minister as Mad-Person/Fool for Christ,” “Minister as Savior/Spoiler of Church and
the World.” MDiv and MA students need permission from instructor to register.
Leonard Hummel
Jan 10, 5:00–8:00; Jan 11, 13, 8:30–11:30, 5:00–8:00; Jan 12, 14, 1:00–4:00; Jan 15, 8:30–11:30,
1:00–4:00 plus pre-and post-class online work
Lutheran Theological Seminary Saskatoon (www.usask.ca/stu/luther)
Contact: registrar.lts@usask.ca
No courses yet announced
The Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary of Lenoir-Rhyne University
(www.ltss.lr.edu)
Associate Dean Ginger Barfield (ginger.barfield@lr.edu)
No courses yet announced
Trinity Lutheran Seminary (http://www.tlsohio.edu/)
Registrar Lee Richards (lrichards@tlsohi.edu)
MN2671 Mission Immersion: Haiti
This course will concentrate on God’s mission in the world as the very identity and calling of the church.
The course will provide an immersion in mission both at Abiding Hope Lutheran Church, Littleton,
Colorado, and through the work of the Haitian Timoun Foundation (HTF), a US 501(c)(3) public charity
whose mission is to foster hope and sustainability with dignity in Haiti. The experience will challenge
participants particularly to explore the impact and importance of personal conversion (broadly
understood) in the role of missional leadership. Students will engage theological and ecclesiological
materials so as to develop a clear vision for what it means to be converted leaders raising converted
disciples of the Risen Christ.
3 credit hours
Instructor: The Rev. Dr. Rick Barger, rbarger@tlsohio.edu
January 2–26, 2016 in Haiti.
MN2674 Intensive Spanish for Ministry (Cuernavaca, Mexico)
Intensive language training while simultaneously experiencing contemporary Latin American culture.
Students will be hosted by local families in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Sunday worship in local congregations;
some day-long field trips; optional participation in programs sponsored by the language institute
(lectures on current events, workshops to help children with their English homework). Post-tour
reflection on further development of language skills for use in ministry contexts in the United States. No
previous exposure to Spanish is required. Students will be grouped into language classes (maximum of
5) according to ability.
3 credit hours.
Instructor: The Rev. Dr. Mark Powell, mapowell@tlsohio.edu
January 3–23, 2016 in Cuernavaca, Mexico.
MN2654 Flourishing in the Parish
Immersion experience at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa, as students work with a
nationally recognized pastor and staff in a vibrant, growing central city congregation. Students will
observe and reflect upon practices that contribute to healthy and dynamic church life. Daily onsite
seminars address strategic thinking, decision-making, effective church leadership, and the importance of
pastoral imagination. Students will gain practical insight on what makes the pastoral life so good, so
meaningful, so significant, and so challenging.
3 credit hours.
Instructors: The Rev. Dr. Emlyn Ott, eott@tlsohio.edu, and The Rev. Peter Marty,
peter@stpaulqc.org
January 4–14, 2016 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 2136 Brady Street , Davenport, Iowa
MN2656 In the City for Good
This course will combine readings, on-campus meetings, and daily community immersion in the city of
Columbus, Ohio, as participants explore the fruitful and faithful intersection of mission, ministry, and
context.
3 credit hours.
Instructor: The Rev. Dr. Hank Langknecht, hlangknecht@tlsohio.edu
Wednesday, January 6 (1:30 pm)–January 22, 2016. The first three days we'll be on campus, the two
weeks (minus MLK, Jr. Day) will be spent immersed in Columbus..
MN4117 Congregational Systems
This course will provide an introduction to systems and organizational theory in relation to
congregations and other church groups. It will explore issues in organizational and ministry development
as well as strategies for systemic change.
3 credit hours.
Instructor: The Rev. Dr. Emlyn Ott, eott@tlsohio.edu,
January 4–8, 2016 in Chicago, Illinois.
Wartburg Seminary (www.wartburgseminary.edu)
Registrar Kevin Anderson (registrar@wartburgseminary.edu)
Holy Lands (see attachment) [Thomas Schattauer]
January 4-20
Tanzania [Ann Fritschel]
A cross-cultural immersion course that will explore the people and ministries of the Evangelical Lutheran
Church in Tanzania. We will be located primarily in the Meru Diocese. Topics that will be explored
include mission, leadership and Gospel proclamation in a religiously pluralistic and constantly changing
context. We will also explore the synod companion program and the theology of accompaniment and
reflect upon what we learn for mission and ministry in the United States context. The trip will be
approximately 16 days and will cost between $2500-3000. For further information, contact the
instructor.
The Borderlands: Mission in a Latino Context (Texas-Mexico)
First-time students will spend up to three weeks in the January term observing, participating in, and
considering the church in mission along the Texas/Mexico border and in various Spanish-speaking
contexts throughout Texas. Experiential learning occurs with trips to the Texas/Mexico border and in
Latino/a congregations throughout Texas . Students learn about the history, culture and contemporary
realities of Latinos/as to gain skills in intercultural dialogue and ministry that they can transpose to other
cultural settings. Course hosted by the Lutheran Seminary Program of the Southwest in conjunction with
the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, Texas.
Instructor: Javier Alanis, jalanis@lsps.edu
Contact Person: Troy Troftgruben, ttroftgruben@wartburgseminary.edu
January 4-22, 2016
Milwaukee [Winston Persaud]
Ten-day immersion sponsored by the Greater Milwaukee Synod. Ask Dr. Persaud for more details. While
many of the local costs are covered, previous experiences have had a fee of at least $800 in additional to
travel expenses. (We do not know yet the 2016 fee, as it will also likely vary based on the number of
participants.)
Instructor: Winston Persaud, wpersaud@wartburgseminary.edu
Dates not yet known. (For perspective, the dates for 2015 were January 3-12.)
Pine Ridge (Wartburg Seminary contact person Kevin Anderson, Registrar,
registrar@wartburgseminary.edu)
The following is adapted from information provided by the director of the Pine Ridge Retreat
Center. NOTE: Wartburg Seminary students usually participate in the first session, with other
students spread out across the two sessions as needed and coordinated with the Ministry
Center. Several seminaries coordinate directly with the Pine Ridge Retreat Center for their
experience. Cross-registration through Wartburg Seminary can be used by students at a
seminary that does not coordinate their course directly.
This J-Term cross-cultural immersion program brings students an increased awareness of Native
American concerns and builds cross-cultural bridges of understanding through transformational
ministry. There are readings prior to the immersion, with a reflection paper submitted
beforehand. Groups work on community projects, are present and engaged with the children
who come for afternoon activities, assist with the sandwich program for the hungry, and visit
key cultural/historical sites. We attend Sunday worship services, midweek young peoples’
worship at our Sanctuary program, and other significant family celebrations of life, which might
include wakes and /or funeral services. Our days usually conclude with devotions, reflection
and talking circle.
The on-site director is Pastor Kay Ressel, Director, Lutheran Lakota Shared Ministry at Pine
Ridge Retreat Center; klressel.pineridge@gmail.com.
Dates in January, 2016 are Monday, Jan 4–Friday, Jan 15 for Session I and Monday, Jan 18–
Friday, Jan 29 for Session II.
The program fee for January 2016 is $600/student for those who need to be picked up at
the airport, or $550 for those who provide their own transportation that they can use to
travel to scheduled events. The Center has four sleeping rooms, four bathrooms with
showers, a large well-equipped kitchen, wireless access, recreation area and lounge.
Bedding and towels are provided. Groups pool money to purchase groceries to prepare
meals at the center. We recommend $75/student. Students may also wish to purchase
some of the artwork and crafts created by local artisans.
The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia (www.ltsp.edu)
Registrar René Diemer (registrar@ltsp.edu). Submit housing requests to Alice Popovic
(apopovic@ltsp.edu).
SGN454 Johns Island Service Travel Seminar (1.0 LTSP unit)
Leadership. Knowledge. Experience. The John’s Island Trip is centered in a student organized work trip
to John’s Island, South Carolina. In preparation for the trip students taking this course will meet six times
during January term to learn the deep history of the Sea Islands, to study the Gullah culture of the
region, to investigate the economic and social forces that are reshaping the islands, and to plumb the
depths of the religious life of the people of the islands. Learning will continue during the trip itself, in
conversation with neighbors on the islands and in presentations by local resources. The deepest learning
will occur through working with those served by the trip, by immersion in their culture.
Trip will take place during final week of January; students will meet as class at least six times
(probably evenings) prior to trip. Dates to be announced.
Instructor(s): Robert Robinson, rrobinson@ltsp.edu
SGN490 Faith, History and Finance: The Spirituality of Business and the Business of Spirituality (1.00
LTSP unit)
Markets have spiritual implications for good and ill, and spiritual practices and conflicts shape markets
for better and worse. Congregational, social ministry, and other non-profit leaders increasingly draw
inspiration from entrepreneurial models, and social entrepreneurs increasingly share with spiritual
leaders a long-term focus on justice and sustainability. What are the historical and current best practices
to foster flourishing and sustainable congregational and agency finance? Attention will be given to
traditional sources of revenue, budgeting, development (e.g., philanthropy and grant-writing), and
broader social trends. Students will engage in a practical project with deliverable outcome for a
congregation or agency.
Jan 19–22, roughly 8:30 am–5:30 pm, plus an ongoing online project component
Dr. Jon Pahl, jpahl@ltsp.edu
Dr. T. L. Hill, tl.hill@temple.edu
Contact Dr. Pahl for details.
ICS473 Hip Hop, Faith, and the Prophetic (1.00 LTSP unit)
An exploration of the history and growth of Hip Hop culture with a focus on diverse faith expressions
within Hip Hop. Over the last thirty years, Hip Hop has emerged as the largest cultural movement not
only in the United States but throughout the world. It is a multicultural, international, dialogical space
that serves as a historicizing, reflecting, critical, and at times prophetic voice on behalf of and to all
aspects of society. The class will explore the affirming and challenging reactions from faith communities
towards this complex cultural movement and especially Hip Hop’s relations with different Christian and
Muslim communities.
Jan. 11–15; 8:30 am –5:30 pm
The Rev. Dr. Charles Howard, choward@pobox.upenn.edu