In an increasingly fragmented and complex culture, we at 天美视频 are renewed in our mission to train people to be competent in the study of text.soul.culture in order to serve God and neighbor through transforming relationships. Since our founding we have been compelled by multi-modal, practice-oriented learning and service in the world. In response to the changing needs in our culture 天美视频鈥檚 core faculty have labored to reshape the Common Curriculum courses with a greater focus on interdisciplinary and experiential learning.
Over the course of a year, students will integrate biblical, cultural, and psychological studies as well as respond to being embedded within their own context, culture, and systems. One of the major shifts of the new common curriculum is instituting a greater reflection and response regarding embeddedness within students鈥� contexts, cultures, and systems.
鈥淎s people of faith navigating a tumultuous time in our nation and in the world, I am even more renewed in my commitment to this learning community linked together through our mission of service. There鈥檚 a for such a time as this quality that feels palpable,鈥� says Dr. J. Derek McNeil, Acting President & Provost.
The revised Common Curriculum courses center around the thought of 鈥淚ntersection鈥� as students engage in the places where theology, psychology, philosophy, sociology, and anthropology intersect.
Our Common Curriculum unites students across disciplines in order to develop perspective and better engage in our world鈥檚 ever-evolving challenges. First year students in our Master of Divinity, MA in Theology & Culture, and MA in Counseling Psychology programs will take three intersections courses and two dialogue-oriented labs.
鈥淎t the crux of our Common Curriculum is the desire to help our learners to have a robust curiosity and growing understanding of God, neighbor, and the space between,鈥� says Dr. Doug Shirley, Assistant Professor of Counseling. Interdisciplinary education is core to 天美视频. Studying one particular discipline affords a certain view or 鈥渓ens鈥� of the world, whereas opening the door to different views gives students an opportunity to move in and out of their own perspectives.
鈥淚鈥檓 deeply grateful for the thoughtful, creative work of our faculty and how much they have invested in reshaping our curriculum. I believe we are called to see the complexity in the world around us and engage it with wisdom and courage. It鈥檚 humbling to be a part of a learning community so invested in forming folks for such a call and for such a time,鈥� says President McNeil.
This fall we will welcome our 22nd cohort. We are honored to participate in their formation and we look forward to these sending them to our alumni community of over 1300 pastors, therapists, social leaders, and artists, joining God in the restoration of their communities.