Immersion Courses

PSR Approved 3-Credit Immersion Experiences Intersession 2009

PSR-sponsored courses:
International:

EL SALVADOR IMMERSION (FTRS3836 01)
Dates for Course: January 10-20, 2009  Faculty: LeAnn Flesher (ABSW)
This immersion experience has been developed in partnership with the SHARE Foundation. Students will be introduced to issues of poverty and justice in ways that will help them to develop theological depth, critical ethical analysis and historic insight. The delegation will build relationships with people, communities and projects.  Information about the SHARE Foundation and its Theological Consortium can be found at www.share-elsalvador.org/delegations/index.htm.

National:

FAITH, HEALTH, AND ECONOMICS: AN APPALACHIAN EXPERIENCE (FT2392 01)
Dates for Course: January 09-20, 2009  Faculty: Lynn Rhodes
This immersion experience has been developed in partnership with Appalachian Ministries Education Resource Center (AMERC). Students will explore the ways faith communities interact and affect the development of healthy communities. We will examine the relationship between economic realities and the health of communities as they intersect with the life and practices of church communities.  Information on AMERC can be found on their website at www.amerc.org/index.html.

Local:

REFUGE IN THE CITY (FTRS2450 01)
Dates for Course: January 05-16, 2009  Faculty: Bishop Yvette Flunder
This two-week intensive course will immerse students in hands-on learning in ministries with the most marginalized people in the inner city: ministries with people who are homeless, in recovery from substance abuse, and living with HIV/AIDS. We will also visit hospital and juvenile hall chaplaincy programs and feeding programs. Students will learn about the City of Refuge theology and model for ministry development and will reflect on praxis each day.

GTU Courses:

RUMI IMMERSION IN TURKEY (HRRA4802 01)
Dates for Immersion: 12/8/08-12/22/08  Faculty: Farajafe (SKSM)
Every year, Sufis from around the world gather for the annual celebration of Mevlana Jelaluddin Rumi’s death.  Concerts, symposia, lectures, sema, dhikrs, etc., take place throughout the day and night. Students will focus on study of Rumi, Islam in Turkey, dance and music in spiritual practice.  See GTU catalogue for further description.  For more information, email YaHazratiMevlana@gmail.com.

SPANISH IMMERSION: LOS ANGELES (FT1856 01)
Dates for Immersion: 1/12/09-1/31/09  Faculty: Lobdell (PLTS)
A three-week immersion experience with the New City Parish coalition, includes living with a Latino family, daily language classes and workshops, group outings, worship and participation with local congregations.  Contact PLTS for further information.

CALIFORNIA IMMIGRANT THEOLOGIES (STRS 1392) Dates for course: 9/13/08-11/22/08, Faculty: Joanne Doi (FST) Dates for immersion: 10/24/08-10/26/08

 FST in collaboration with the PANA Institute (PSR) will journey to the rural fields and waterways of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta to understand and honor the ancestors of early Chinese, Filipino, and other Asian migrants who laid the infrastructure for agriculture in California. The course weaves immigration and religious history within a theological framework of remembering, reconciliation, and postcolonial pilgrimage through lecture, presentation, and engaged participation.

   
APPALACHIAN MINISTRIES EDUCATIONAL RESOURCE CENTER (AMERC)
See website, www.amerc.org or talk with the Director of Contextual Learning for intersession and spring Seminary Immersion Courses, 2008-2009.