Pacific School of Religion

In our multicultural and multireligious world, effective spiritual leadership requires the kind of understanding, perspective and skill that comes from engagement with diverse communities and contexts for ministry. Contextual learning helps us to see the reciprocal ways that self and culture, social forces, and institutions shape and give meaning to our life together. PSR’s Contextual Learning Program seeks to provide a link between the seminary and diverse communities throughout the world. It will assist the student in developing a process for exposure and critical reflection.

Through contextual learning, we can:

• Discover the lenses through which we view the world and ourselves
• Learn how these lenses impact our formation as spiritual leaders
• Understand and appreciate diverse perspectives and how they might radically differ from our own
• Develop competency for leadership in multicultural and multireligious communities

Contextual Learning Requirements for MDiv Students

Contextual Learning at PSR has three components:

1. Contextual learning within courses. In the classroom, we highlight the connection between theory and praxis by interacting with diverse communities in the Bay Area.
2. Cross-cultural immersion courses. MDiv students are required to take a three credit contextual/cross-cultural immersion course before graduation. These courses are offered primarily during January Intersession. Opportunities for engagement with local, national, and international communities are offered each year. Student travel is supported by a scholarship fund and student fundraising. The goal of PSR immersion courses is to avoid theological tourism by forming lasting relationships and partnerships with people, organizations and communities in the host region.
3. Contextual Encounters. Master of Divinity students are required to participate in short term multi-cultural and multi-religious encounters during their degree program. Faculty help students reflect theologically on their experience.

Sample immersion courses:

• Our local immersion course, entitled Refuge in the City, allies students with a church that works in the midst of the most marginalized populations in San Francisco.
• For several years, students have participated in national immersion courses in Washington D.C., looking at issues of justice and how the religious community interacts with the political structure in the U.S. In 2008, students and faculty immersed themselves in issues of immigration and environmental and economic justice at the El Paso/Juarez border. Plans are underway for an immersion to Appalachia focusing on faith, health, and economics in 2009.
• In past years, delegations have participated in international immersion courses to Israel/Palestine, the Samoas, Southeast Asia and, in 2008, to Uganda/Rwanda. Plans are underway for an immersion to El Salvador in 2009.

Contact Contextual Learning

Office of Contextual Learning
Holbrook 125
510/849-8261