ECO-INTENSIVE (RSFT-1017)

SUMMER 2021:

Educating to “Create Just and Sustainable Communities that Counter Oppressions” (“ECO”) is a core goal of Starr King’s M.Div. and M.A.S.C. degree programs. In this required 8 day core intensive, M.Div. and M.A.S.C. students work together to form a framework for counter-oppressive spiritual leadership. We will ask: how can spirituality, ministry, and religious activism respond to the multiple and intersecting realities of injustice, suffering, and oppression in our lives and our world? What models of justice and sustainable community invite our commitment? Drawing on Unitarian Universalist and multi-religious sources, we will explore how, in the midst of a world marked by tragedy, sorrow and injustice, there remain abiding resources of beauty and grace that nourish resistance, offer healing and call us to accountability and community building. All readings assigned are to be completed before the course begins. Please note, the readings for this course are extensive, and involve both the required texts as well as readings available online in the student platform. Please start the readings early. In addition, one prerequisite writing assignment is due by Friday August 13th in order that all students have the opportunity to read each others’ papers before the first synchronous gathering. This intensive course will utilize Moodle as a means to access resources, post assignments, as well as share materials and resources before and after the intensive session. This hybrid course will meet synchronously M-F Aug.16-20 and M-W Aug 23-25 from 10am to 1pm PST. Two hours of additional daily asynchronous online discussion and exercises will be part of the 8 day intensive session. Students will have the opportunity to lead a five minute opening or closing ritual during the synchronous time together. Signups for leading a ritual will be available through the course Moodle site. Following the intensive week, students will write a final 7-9 page integrative reflection paper. The August 2021 ECO Core Intensive will have a special focus on economic and racial justice, addressed intersectionally. 3 Units .Minimum 6. Online. [20 max enrollment]

SPRING 2022:

Educating to "Create Just and Sustainable Communities that Counter Oppressions”("ECO") is a core goal of Starr King's M.Div. and M.A.S.C. degree programs. In this required core synchronous course, M.Div. and M.A.S.C. students work together to form a framework for counter-oppressive spiritual leadership. We will ask: how can spirituality, ministry, and religious activism respond to the multiple and intersecting realities of injustice, suffering, and oppression in our lives and our world? What models of justice and sustainable community invite our commitment? Drawing on Unitarian Universalist and multi-religious sources, we will explore how in the midst of a world marked by tragedy, sorrow and injustice there remain abiding resources of beauty and grace that nourish resistance, offer healing and call us to accountability and community building. Reflection essays and final paper. Relates to Thresholds #2,5,7 and 8 and MFC Competency #4. Please take in the first term after Orientation, as the course will introduce you to studying at SKSM. [22 max enrollment; Auditors excluded]