New Low-Residency Interfaith D.Min. in Ecotheology

I just got the Summer 2001 issue of Process Perspectives today, and there's a nifty one-page article on the new low-residency D.Min. offered by United Theological Seminary and the Center for Spirituality and Sustainability (the former in Ohio, the latter in Arkansas). The five core areas of specialization are sustainability (applications of the 16 principles of the Earth Charter established by the Heifer Project International), interreligious dialogue (based around the theology of Paul Knitter), human-animal bonds, process theology, and holistic ministries. The program welcomes "people of different religious traditions--Christian or Jewish, Hindu or Buddhist, Muslim or Baha'i, Taoist or Jain, Confucian or otherwise--who believe the central purpose of ministry is to care for the diverse community of life" (as described by ecotheologian Jay McDaniel, who designed the program). Two weeks of residency are required each year; other program requirements can be completed by distance learning. For more information, e-mail [email protected].


Cheers,

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Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

co-author, Bears' Guide to the Best Education Degrees by Distance Learning (Ten Speed Press)
co-author, Get Your IT Degree and Get Ahead (Osborne/McGraw-Hill)

 

Can one "use" this particular D.Min for anything?(teaching at religious schools, better chances of getting hired for teaching positions, etc)

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Sam C
www.uci.edu
UCI 2002
[email protected]
Confusion is just the path to insight and knowledge

 

Hard to say; I'm not sure how useful D.Min. degrees in general are. But this is certainly one of the more interesting-looking ones I've seen.


Peace,

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Tom Head
www.tomhead.net

co-author, Bears' Guide to the Best Education Degrees by Distance Learning (Ten Speed Press)
co-author, Get Your IT Degree and Get Ahead (Osborne/McGraw-Hill)

 

This is a bit OT, but I don't understand why UTS (and by association, the UMC) would be interested in this program. It is quite at odds with the tenets of the UMC and makes about as much sense as adding a Ph.D. in physical chemistry to their rather traditional line-up of Protestant academics. (Even their MARE program is no longer accepting new students.)

I would understand a some coursework in the theological concepts, but not a D.Min.

Any comments? I won't respond again, since this is 90% OT.