Something Understood

This is orientation week at the seminary, so the new students are getting their heads stuffed full of information about library cards and registration procedures, new faces and names, bookstore locations, the best place to get cheap burritos, and all of the other bits and pieces that go with moving and starting a new life.

I've just finished registering for classes for this term, which is my fifth at CDSP. I am taking four classes. They are listed below with their descriptions as found in the GTU online Course Catalog.

Liturgics

A lecture course in sacramental theology with special attention to the relation of sacramental liturgy and sacraments as acts of the church. Primary focus will be on the rites of Christian Initiation, the Eucharist and Holy Orders, with a secondary focus on confession, anointing the sick and marriage. Evaluation is through participation based on required readings, a mid-term examination and a final written project.

Postmodern Christian Education

This foundational course in Christian Education attends to the plural cultures of the postmodern world, which form the context within which Christian faith must be formed and nurtured. Using approaches that integrate theory, practice and critical reflection within the course's pedagogy, students will be enabled to foster the same capacities for critically-reflective and committed Christian praxis in persons of all ages, within their particular contexts for ministry. Lecture, discussion and student presentation class format. Evaluation of regular reflection papers and book reports, in-class presentations, and an ethnographic site observation.

Rites of the Sick, Dead, and Dying

This seminar explores the rites surrounding the care of the sick, the dying, and funerals from historical, theological and ritual perspectives. The course will survey the historical development of the rites before turning to a comparative ecumenical study of current liturgical traditions. Contemporary issues of liturgy and culture, medicine and spirituality, and shifts in caring for the dying will also be entertained.

Basic Latin 1

An introduction to the grammar and syntax of Classical (and Medieval) Latin. This is a two- semester sequence, the goal of which is to get students to reading level by the end of the second term. Exercises and readings will be drawn from original texts of Classical and Medieval authors. Strong emphasis on etymologies, vocabulary, and comparative grammar; some attention given to historical context of selected authors. Evaluation: Class participation, frequent quizzes, midterm and final.

Liturgics and Christian Education are both required by the M.Div. curriculum. Rites of the Sick, Dead, and Dying not only satisfies part of my MA (Liturgical Studies) requirements, but it is also something that I am quite interested in. A secular and English friend told me once that "Anglicans may be just as messed up as the rest of religion, but their funerals are beautiful".

Latin just seems like a good idea. Should I eventually go on to do doctoral work at Oxford or Cambridge (only in Japan would one say 'Cambridge and Oxford'. In Cambridge one would say "Here and ... the Other Place") I would need to be able to offer grace in Latin at Formal Hall.