Fall 2008: Disciples Seminary Foundation offers Disciples History and Polity On-line through San Francisco Theological Seminary in Southern California

Course Description: This course explores the origins and development of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) as a distinctive North American denomination. Particular attention is given to the ways in which its life and thought have been shaped in relation to changing social and political contexts, and to the persons who have led in that creativity and adaptation. Students are expected to critically engage historical sources, including primary ones, to assess the information provided by them and to explore what contemporary Disciples may learn from them.

Course Requirements: The course consists of faculty presentations (on CD-ROM), student readings (texts, CD-ROM, and on-line), on-line (e- mail) discussion, and two written projects. Students must satisfactorily complete all the requirements in order to receive either academic credit or certification to a Committee on the Ministry.

Note: Seminar course assignments are based on the expectation that students will spend approximately 3 hours in preparation for each 1 hour in class. For this course, we suggest that students budget about 3 hours each week for the lectures and general (assigned) reading; 2 hours reading and responding to the internet postings; and 2 hours on independent research for the two written projects.

Instructor: Dr. Tamara Nichols Rodenberg, Dean of Disciples Seminary Foundation

Term: Fourteen classes, beginning September 8, 2008

Registration: Below please find SFTS' PDF with course descriptions and a registration form. (This material is also available at their website at www.sfts.edu.) You will be registering for FTRA3210. Please note that as a 3 unit course, the tuition is $1238 credit/$350 audit + required SFTS fees.

If you wish to enroll, please complete the form as indicated and mail it together with your payment to SAN FRANCISCO THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY at 54 N. Oakland Ave., Pasadena 91101. SFTS is the school of record and is handling registration. DO NOT MAIL YOUR REGISTRATION MATERIALS NOR TUITION PAYMENTS TO DSF. Please direct any questions regarding form completion, tuition or fees to SFTS at (626) 397-9004 ext 711.

Although the deadline for registration without late fees is August 18, please be aware that this course is limited to 12 students, on a first come, first serve basis. Many more students have requested information about this course than there are places available, so do not delay in your registration if you desire to enroll.

For Auditors: Because DSF provides certification to regional offices if you complete the course successfully, you will be required to complete all assignments. DSF charges auditors a $120 certification fee, which will be billed later in the term. (Send no payments until you have been properly invoiced.)