Certificate of Sexuality and Religion (CSR)

Apply to PSR

Many communities are in crisis today over issues of sexuality. In these painful debates, religion and the interpretation of religious texts and practices often play a defining role in the status and treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) people in religious congregations and the broader society.

More than ever, strong leaders are needed to provide compassionate and informed guidance on these issues in religious communities and institutions, professional societies, advocacy organizations, and legal and legislative bodies.

PSR's Certificate in Sexuality and Religion (CSR) is designed to develop and nurture such leadership by providing a unique program focusing on the theological, historical, ethical, pastoral, and practical dimensions of sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity.

The CSR is a professional development certificate providing specialized training in sexuality, sexual orientation, gender identity, and religion. It is designed for participants from a wide variety of backgrounds, including:

  • Seminary students, clergy and lay leaders from Protestant and Catholic traditions who want to be better equipped to lead the often painful conversations and important constructive actions required to advance the full inclusion of LGBT people within their faith communities.
  • Journalists, counselors, psychologists, and other professionals whose work involves issues of sexuality and religion.
  • LGBT activists and friends who want to become more articulate about religious issues and establish collaborative alliances with religious communities.

The CSR provides working professionals and students an opportunity to enhance their knowledge and leadership skills. The goal of the program is to help students to:

  • Think theologically about contemporary sexual practices and identities
  • Understand the history of faith traditions in regard to sexuality and sexual identity
  • Speak knowledgeably about contemporary sexual practices and the scientific and psychological information relevant to them
  • Consider the historical and theological development of ethical systems used to evaluate and regulate moral judgments concerning various sexual practices and identities within faith traditions
  • Gain authority and expertise in leading discussions on issues of religion and sexuality both within faith traditions and within society more broadly

CSR courses are taught by faculty from Pacific School of Religion and other Graduate Theological Union member schools. Some courses are offered by adjunct faculty selected by PSR's Center for Lesbian and Gay Studies in Religion and Ministry.

Course Requirements for the CSR

CSR students complete 21 credit hours to be completed in an expected period of two years or maximum of four years part time study. Required courses include 9 hours of foundational courses, 9 hours of specialty elective courses, and 3 hours dedicated to a final project in a field of interest. The most CSR courses are scheduled in intensive formats during the summer and January sessions. Other classes are held on weekends or evenings during the regular fall and spring semesters, or are available online. As course offerings change each year, a list of course offerings that qualify that year for the CSR may be obtained from Director of the CSR program.

Foundational courses (9 credits)
Three credit hours in at least three of the four following foundational areas of study are required:

  • A. Religious texts and sexuality/sexual identity
  • B. Human sexuality with a focus on sexual orientation and gender identity, including attention to contemporary scientific and psychological understandings of sexuality
  • C. Theology, ethics, and sexual identity, including discussion of the limits and conditions of appropriate sexual conduct
  • D. History of sexuality/sexual orientation issues and religion.

Electives in Special Study Track (9 credits)
Specialty elective courses support four "tracks" of study in the CSR, including:

  • Congregational Leadership, featuring such classes as Welcoming Christianities, Conflict Management, LGBT Worship and Ritual, Teaching the Bible and Sexuality in Communities, and Constructive Theologies and the LGBT Experience
  • Pastoral Care for LGBT People, with courses on Pastoral Care for LGBT People and Families, LGBT Worship and Rituals, Creating an Affirming Community, and Queer Youth in Crisis
  • Advocacy/Justice Work, focusing on Conflict Management, The Church and LGBT Concerns, Teaching the Bible and Sexuality in Communities, and LGBT Activism in Religious Movements and Denominations
  • A custom track designed for students with specific needs and interests. Please consult with the CSR advisor to approve a custom track.

CSR Final Project (3 credits)
A final project is undertaken by each student after course work is completed. The general focus is determined at the start of the program and is used to guide the student's work throughout the course of study. Register for CSR 3001 in the semester you complete your Final Project.

Academic Program Manual for the CSR

Other CSR forms

For more information on how to apply for the CSS, consult the Admissions Information and Requirements chart and contact Admissions.

CSR Course offerings for 2010-2011

Required and elective coursework for the CSR program can be taken through a variety of means. PSR offers several courses each year that are designed specifically with CSR requirements in mind (“CSR-Designed Courses”). Other PSR courses and courses at other GTU schools will sometimes meet those requirements as well (“CSR-Suitable Courses”). In addition, some courses can be taken, in consultation with the instructor, so as to meet CSR expectations (“CSR-Potential Courses”).

Courses in the latter of those three categories require approval from the CSR Coordinator, who will also discern with the student which of the courses will work for CSR requirements and which ones will work for electives. Other courses not listed here may apply to the CSR with approval from the CSR coordinator. The following is a list of courses for all three types of courses offered during the 2010-2011 academic year.

Summer Session 2010

CSR-Designed Courses
RS-2495: Sex and the Sacred
RSST-2486: Queer Theology, Queer Politics (fulfills one-half of found. req. C)*
RSFT-2489: LGBT Religious Issues in Post-Colonial Perspective

CSR-Suitable Courses
HM-3240: Effective and Embodied Preaching

Fall Semester 2010

CSR-Designed Courses
HSSP-8242: Emerging Queer Spiritual Movements (online course)
STFT-3287: Queer/Christian Theology (fulfills found. req. C)*

CSR-Suitable Courses
HS-2925: Marriage & Family in the Christian West (fulfills found. req. D)*
RARS-4031: Sex and Spirit

CSR-Potential Courses
PSBS-4240: Contemporary Families/Biblical Families

Intersession 2011

CSR-Designed Courses
SPRS-2401: Senses, Desire, and Spirituality
RS-1401: Comparative Sexualities and Culture (fulfills one-half found. req. B)*

CSR-Suitable Courses
PSRS-2582: Sexual Violations and the Church
FTRS-2450: Refuge in the City

Spring Semester 2011

CSR-Designed Courses
STCE-3283: Queer Religious Leadership & Sexual Ethics (fulfills found. req. C)*
HS-8241: LGBT Welcoming Mvmnt in Am. Catholicism (online course)
RSFT-2491: Ministry with LGBTQ People

CSR-Suitable Courses
CE-2008: Sexual Ethics

CSR-Potential Courses
STSP-4322: Theology of Desire

 

*Required Core CSR areas:
A. Religious texts and sexuality/sexual identity
B. Human sexuality with a focus on sexual orientation and gender identity, including attention to contemporary scientific and psychological understandings of sexuality
C. Theology, ethics, and sexual identity, including discussion of the limits and conditions of appropriate sexual conduct
D. History of sexuality/sexual orientation issues and religion