Archived 2013/2014 Divinity School Catalog Archived 2013/2014 Divinity School Catalog the Divinity School
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Archived 2013/2014 Divinity School Catalog The Divinity School Archived 2013/2014 Divinity School Catalog The Divinity School Vanderbilt University 2013/2014 Archived 2013/2014 Divinity School Catalog Containing general information and courses of study for the 2013/2014 session corrected to 30 June 2013 Nashville The university reserves the right, through its established procedures, to modify the requirements for admission and graduation and to change other rules, regulations, and provisions, including those stated in this bulletin and other publications, and to refuse admission to any student, or to require the with- drawal of a student if it is determined to be in the interest of the student or the university. All students, full- or part-time, who are enrolled in Vanderbilt courses are subject to the same policies. Policies concerning noncurricular matters and concerning withdrawal for medical or emotional reasons can be found in the Student Handbook, which is on the Vanderbilt website at vanderbilt.edu/student_handbook.Archived 2013/2014 NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENT In compliance with federal law, including the Divinityprovisions of Title VII of theSchool Civil Rights Act of 1964,Catalog Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, Executive Order 11246, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, as amended, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, Vanderbilt University does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of their race, sex, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, military service, or genetic information in its administration of educational policies, programs, or activities; admissions policies; scholarship and loan programs; athletic or other university-administered programs; or employment. In addition, the university does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression consistent with the university’s nondiscrimination policy. Inquiries or complaints should be directed to the Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Disability Services Department, Baker Building, PMB 401809, Nashville, TN 37240-1809. Tele- phone (615) 322-4705 (V/TDD); FAX (615) 343-4969. The text of this bulletin is printed on recycled paper with ink made from renewable resources. This publication is recyclable. Please recycle it. Copyright © 2013 Vanderbilt University Produced by Vanderbilt University Creative Services Printed in the United States of America Contents Calendar 6 Theological Education in a University Setting 7 The Divinity School Community 11 Life at Vanderbilt 14 Academic Programs 20 The M.Div. Degree 20 The M.T.S. Degree 22 Dual Degree Programs 22 Certificate Programs 25 The M.A. and Ph.D. Degrees 27 Academic Regulations 29 Admission 32 Financial Information 35 Honors and Awards 40 Courses 41 Board of Trust and University Administration 62 Divinity School Administration 64 Faculty 64 Archived 2013/2014 Divinity School Catalog Divinity School Calendar 2013/2014 FALL SEMESTER 2013 Orientation and registration for new students/Tuesday, August 13–Friday, August 16 Classes begin/Monday, August 19 Convocation/Friday, August 23 Last day to add a course; last day for late registration/Wednesday, August 28 Last day to change from “graded” to “audit” and from “graded” to “pass/fail” status/Wednesday, August 28 Cole Lectures/Thursday and Friday, October 3–October 4 Homecoming & Reunion/Friday and Saturday, October 4–October 5 Fall Break/Thursday and Friday, October 10–October 11 Advising for Students/Monday, October 14–Monday, October 21 Spring semester registration/Tuesday–Friday, October 22–November 1 Thanksgiving holidays/Monday–Friday, November 25–November 29 Classes conclude/Thursday, December 5 Reading day/Friday, December 6 Examinations/Monday–Saturday, December 9–December 14 Holidays/Sunday, December 15–Sunday, January 5, 2014 SPRING SEMESTER 2014 Classes begin/Monday, January 6 Last day to add a course; last day for late registration/Monday, January 13 Last day to change from “graded” to “audit” and from “graded” to “pass/fail” status/Monday, January 13 The Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday/Monday, January 20, no classes in Divinity Spring holidays/Monday–Friday, March 3–March 7 Advising/Monday, March 17–Monday, March 24 Antoinette Brown Lecture/Thursday, March 20 May session, summer, and fall semesters registration/Tuesday–Friday, March 25–April 4 Good Friday/Friday, April 18, no classes in Divinity Classes conclude/Monday, April 21 Reading days/Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, April 22–April 24 Examinations/Friday–Thursday, April 25–May 1 Commencement/Friday, May 9 Archived 2013/2014 Divinity School Catalog Divinity School / Theological Education in a University Setting 7 Theological Education in a University Setting ANDERBILT University was founded in 1873 as an helped to develop, strong resources of personal faith, without institution of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. which their leadership in church and community would be When classes began in 1875, the Biblical Department jeopardized. Vwas one of four schools in the university, the others being an The school affirms its commitment to do all in its power to undergraduate college (the Academic Department) and the combat the idolatry of racism and ethnocentrism that remains schools of law and medicine. Wesley Hall, a five-story struc- widespread in our society. Positively, this includes a com- ture providing classrooms, offices, a library, dining facilities, mitment to take full account of the contributions of African and residences for students and faculty, opened in 1881. As a Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and Native result of a court case in 1914, which settled a dispute between Americans. It requires the appointment of faculty members the MECS and the university over the church’s involvement and the recruitment of students from these groups and in university decision making, the church withdrew its sup- adequate provision for their support. The school recognizes a port. The following year, the Biblical Department became the special connection with the contributions of the black church Vanderbilt School of Religion, continuing as an interdenomi- to church and society and a commitment to further these national school, with its curriculum broadened to indicate an contributions. increasing ecumenical consciousness. In 1956, the name was The school is committed to opposing the sexism that has changed to the Divinity School, in keeping with the national characterized much of the history of the church and Western pattern for university-related theological institutions. The culture and is still present in our society. This commitment Graduate School of Theology of Oberlin College merged with entails the conviction that women have a larger place in the the Divinity School in 1966, an event acknowledged in nam- ministry and in teaching than they now enjoy. It requires ing the present building (which opened in 1960) the Oberlin appointment of women to the faculty, enrollment of a larger Quadrangle. Since 1960, several transformations, both cultural number of women students in all programs, and concerted and religious, have reshaped the school in significant ways, effort to eliminate all forms of discrimination in attitudes, and these are reflected in the statement of “Commitments” practices, and language. The school regards the use of inclusive that follows. language as an expression of its opposition to gender-based prejudice. Purposes The school is committed to confronting the homophobia The Divinity School seeks to fulfill the following objectives: that prevails throughout much of the church and society. to engage men and women in a theological understanding of We recognize the rights of lesbians and gay men within the religious traditions; to help persons, both lay and ordained, religious community and the need for the eradication of civil re-envision and prepare for the practice of Christian ministry discrimination based on sexual orientation. This commitment in our time; to encourage individuals in their spiritual and involves the exploration in the curriculum of lesbian and gay intellectual growth; to prepare leaders who will be agents of concerns as well as affirmation and support of gay and lesbian social justice; and to educate future scholars and teachers of people within our community. religion. The school is committed to a program of theological Degree programs enable students, with the aid of faculty education that is open to and takes account of the religious advisers, to plan a course of study in light of their talents, pluralism in our world. It seeks to familiarize students with interests, and professional objectives.Archived Resources of the uni-2013/2014interreligious dialogue and the diverse manifestations of versity and affiliated institutions offer rich opportunities for Christianity throughout the world, recognizing that to know students to secure additional knowledge and skills in prepara- one’s own tradition one must know and participate in others tion for their vocations. Divinity Schoolas well. This Catalog commitment entails the appointment to the fac- ulty of scholars in other religious traditions and from diverse Commitments branches of Christianity, as well as the provision of resources for students to study in global contexts. The Divinity