Archived 2015/2016 Divinity School Catalog
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Catalog 2015/2016 School Archived Divinity The Divinity School Catalog 2015/2016 School Archived Divinity The Divinity School Catalog Catalog Vanderbilt 2015/2016University 2015/2016 School Archived Divinity Containing general information and courses of study for the 2015/2016 session corrected to 30 June 2015 Nashville Catalog 2015/2016 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 catalog and otherSchool 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. NONDISCRIMINATION STATEMENTArchived In compliance with federal law, including the provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972, Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973,Divinity 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 catalog is printed on recycled paper with ink made from renewable resources. This publication is recyclable. Please recycle it. Copyright © 2015 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 13 Life at Vanderbilt 16 Academic Programs 23 The M.Div. Degree 23 The M.T.S. Degree 25 Dual Degree Programs 25 Certificate Programs 29 The M.A. and Ph.D. Degrees 30 Academic Regulations 31 Admission 34 Financial Information 37 Honors and Awards Catalog 42 Courses 43 Board of Trust and University Administration 2015/2016 64 Divinity School Administration 66 Faculty 66 School Archived Divinity Divinity School Calendar 2015/2016 FALL SEMESTER 2015 Orientation and registration for new students/Tuesday, August 18–Monday, August 24 Classes begin/Wednesday, August 26 Convocation/Friday, August 28 Last day to add a course; last day for late registration/Wednesday, September 2 Last day to change from “graded” to “audit” and from “graded” to “pass/fail” status/Wednesday, September 9 Cole Lectures/Thursday, October 8–Friday, October 9 Fall Break/Thursday, October 15–Friday, October 16 Advising for students/Monday, October 19–Friday, October 23 Homecoming & Reunion/Friday, October 23–Saturday, October 24 Spring semester registration/Monday, October 26–Friday, November 20 The Howard Harrod Lecture/Thursday, November 12 Thanksgiving holidays/Saturday, November 21–Sunday, November 29 Classes conclude/Thursday, December 10 Reading day/Friday, December 11 Examinations/Monday, December 14–Saturday, December 19 Graduation date for December graduates/Saturday, December 19 Deadline for submission of 2015 fall semester grades/Monday, December 21, 11:59 p.m. CST Winter Holidays/Sunday, December 20–Sunday, January 10, 2016 SPRING SEMESTER 2016 Classes begin/Monday, January 11 The Reverend Doctor Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday/Monday, January 18, no classes in the Divinity School Last day to add a course; last day for late registration/Wednesday, January 20 Last day to change from “graded” to “audit” and from “graded” to “pass/fail” status/Wednesday, January 27 Spring holidays/Saturday, March 5–Sunday, March 13 Advising for students/Monday, March 21–Thursday, March 24 Catalog Good Friday/Friday, March 25, no classes in the Divinity School Antoinette Brown Lecture/Thursday, March 31 May session, summer terms, and fall semester registration/Monday, March 28–Wednesday, April 27 Classes conclude/Monday, April 25 Reading days/Tuesday, April 26–Thursday, April 28 2015/2016 Examinations/Friday, April 29 –Thursday, May 5 Deadline for submission of 2016 spring semester grades/Saturday, May 7, 11:59 p.m. CDT Commencement/Friday, May 13 School Archived Divinity Divinity School / Theological Education in a University Setting 7 Theological Education in a University Setting ANDERBILT University was founded in 1873 as an insti- The school affirms its commitment to do all in its power to tution of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. When combat the idolatry of racism and ethnocentrism that remains classes began in 1875, the Biblical Department was one of widespread in our society. Positively, this includes a com- Vfour schools in the university, the others being an undergradu- mitment to take full account of the contributions of African ate college (the Academic Department) and the schools of law Americans, Hispanic Americans, Asian Americans, and Native and medicine. Wesley Hall, a five-story structure providing Americans. It requires the appointment of faculty members classrooms, offices, a library, dining facilities, and residences and the recruitment of students from these groups and for students and faculty, opened in 1881. As a result of a court adequate provision for their support. The school recognizes a case in 1914, which settled a dispute between the MECS and the special connection with the contributions of the black church university over the church’s involvement in university deci- to church and society and a commitment to further these sion making, the church withdrew its support. The following contributions. year, the Biblical Department became the Vanderbilt School of The school is committed to opposing the sexism that has Religion, continuing as an interdenominational school, with characterized much of the history of the church and Western its curriculum broadened to indicate an increasing ecumenical culture and is still present in our society. This commitment consciousness. In 1956, the name was changed to the Divinity entails the conviction that women have a larger place in the School, in keeping with the national pattern for university- ministry and in teaching than they now enjoy. It requires related theological institutions. The Graduate School of Theol- appointment of women to the faculty, enrollment of a larger ogy of Oberlin College merged with the Divinity School in 1966, number of women students in all programs, and concerted an event acknowledged in naming the present building (which effort to eliminate all forms of discrimination in attitudes, opened in 1960) the Oberlin Quadrangle. Since 1960, several practices, and language. The school regards the use of inclusive transformations, both cultural and religious, have reshaped the language as an expression of its opposition to gender-based school in significant ways, and these are reflected in the state- prejudice. ment of “Commitments” that follows. The school is committed to confronting the homophobia that prevailsCatalog throughout much of the church and society. Purposes We recognize the rights of lesbians and gay men within the In a global and multi-religious world, the Divinity School religious community and the need for the eradication of civil seeks to fulfill the following objectives: to engage in theological discrimination based on sexual orientation. This commitment inquiry; to help persons prepare for the practice of Christian2015/2016 involves the exploration in the curriculum of lesbian and gay ministry and public leadership; to encourage personal and concerns as well as affirmation and support of gay and lesbian spiritual formation; to prepare agents of social justice; and to people within our community. educate future scholars and teachers, locally and globally. 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, Schoolpluralism in our world. It seeks to familiarize students with interests, and professional objectives. Resources of the uni- interreligious 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. as well. This commitment entails the appointment to the fac- ulty of scholars in other religious traditions