3. Luther Seminary, St. Paul, MN 4. Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago ----------------------------- 3. M.A. in Islamic Studies, Luther Seminary (St. Paul, MN) Luther Seminary’s program in Islamic Studies states that it is designed “to prepare Christian leaders for meaningful involvement with Muslims.” This is explained in detail: The program serves the needs of church workers (including pastors, teachers, and missionaries from North America and throughout the world) and other professionals whose vocations bring them into regular contact with Muslims…it serves the general community by offering relevant learning opportunities related to the widespread Muslim world… As part of the overall seminary curriculum, enrollees in the M.A. program are required to pass a non-credit Bible Proficiency Exam, two courses in ‘Discipleship,’ and a writing or ministry project. Normally a thesis is written, requiring three guided reading courses. A contextual leadership course is a field placement opportunity required for M.Div. students but which can be tailored to the needs of a student not seeking ordination. The catalogue states it is strongly encouraged but not required for the M.A. program; however, implementation of nontraditional sites has proven difficult for a variety of reasons. The program requires seven courses in general theological education, including four in Bible, one in church history, and two in systematic theology. Eight to ten courses are taken from the concentration area, and one to three courses are electives which may be taken from any division in the seminary. Uniquely, two semesters of Arabic are required for graduation. Three semesters in Arabic are offered, including a ‘readings’ course for advanced students. Several half-credit courses are offered in special topics, and this seems to allow for a broader range of study as well as greater flexibility. These course topics include ‘Sin and Salvation in Islam,’ and ‘Traditions of Muhammed and the Schools of Law (hadith and fiqh).’ Full-credit courses include topics such as ‘Islam in the Modern World,’ and ‘Christian Engagement with Muslims.’ The curriculum emphasizes the diversity of perspectives within Islam. The program is likely to change over the next few years as Dr. Swanson transitions to LSTC in 2006 to head the program there.
4. M.A. Concentration in Christian-Muslim Relations, Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
The LSTC program in Christian-Muslim Relations seeks to prepare students for “effective interfaith witness, dialogue, and living,” and was established in 1993 as:
…a response to the critical need for Christians and Muslims to learn about, with and from each other, and to reflect creatively on the new prospects for mutual cooperation.
The program offers both an M.A. and an M..Div. concentration area. Most students taking courses from the program do so to fulfill a world religions credit requirement in the standard M.Div. program, for which all courses in the field qualify.
The M.A. requires six courses in the concentration area, and ten courses in general theological education requirements (including two in systematic theology, two in church history, and four in Bible). The program also requires a summative evaluation, which is traditionally a paper 30-40 pages in length. While two semesters of Arabic study is offered, it is not required. There are no pre-requisites for taking courses in the concentration area.
Courses are designed to emphasize the points of comparison between the two religions, such as ‘Jesus and Muhammed,’ rather than a course solely on Muhammed or the Qur’an. Course offerings from 2004-2006 included ‘the History of Christian-Muslim Relations,’ ‘Jesus and Muhammed,’ ‘Bible and Qu’ran,’ ‘World Religions in Dialogue,’ an introduction to Islam facilitated online, and the two semesters of Arabic. Additional courses are listed in the catalogue but have not been taught the past two years.
The faculty include one full-time and three part-time professors; including one U.S. Christian who primarily oversees the Doctor of Ministry program, a Syrian Muslim scholar who teaches at the American Islamic College, and a Syrian Christian who teaches Arabic at Notre Dame. The latter two are adjunct instructors. There are no female faculty within the department. Additional faculty in the ACTS consortium (Association of Chicago Theological Schools) also offer courses in Christian-Muslim relations, although they are similar to the ones offered at LSTC. At present, there is not yet a cross-enrollment agreement with the American Islamic College in Chicago, although a faculty member is shared.
Beginning in fall 2004, the Niagara Foundation provided funding for a number of Turkish Sunni Muslim students to enroll in the M.A. program. The first class of five students, accompanied by a supervising professor, are scheduled to complete the degree in spring 2006. The supervising professor also co-taught courses during the 2005-2006 academic year. The program concentration also includes three Christian students, although many students in the M.Div. program also take courses in the department.
Classes in the department are conducted in large-group lecture and discussion format, with two students giving extended presentations on the assigned reading material as part of each class session. Occasionally small groups are also utilized for discussions.
No fieldwork is required for the concentration, and no cross-cultural or travel seminars are offered. Students may develop an independent study field research project that would allow for cross-cultural immersion.
Courses are taught predominantly representing the Sunni perspective. The diversity of perspectives within Christianity are represented most in the post-Reformation section of Church History.
A variety of extracurricular conferences, lectures, and other events are offered on campus and in the surrounding area on the topic of Christian-Muslim Relations. A student-run organization, the Abrahamic Dialogue Association (ADA) was created during the 2004-2005 academic year and sponsors many of these discussions, including a non-credit series of lectures introducing Islam and forums on current topics such as the Danish cartoons controversy. Visits to local mosques and synagogues are organized two or three times per year.
The program is likely to change dramatically in the next few years, as primary faculty member Dr. Vogelaar retires from full-time teaching and Dr. Swanson arrives from Luther Seminary to head the program. Vogelaar will shift responsibilities to heading the school’s new “Center for Christian-Muslim Engagement for Peace and Justice,” opening in fall 2006.