We have several information items to present to council from GST.
Please review the proposals below and use the comment section for any discussion.
Thank you for your work on the council this year!
Information Items
- Master of Arts in Global Studies
- Change the requirement of BIBM/BMIS Elective to a Free Elective (3 hrs). Rationale: The BIBM/BMIS elective requirement is too restrictive for diverse ministry needs and interests.
- Change the requirement of BIBM 651, 652, and 656 (1 credit hour each) to an option of either BIBM 648 of BIBM 621 (3 credit hours).
- Change the requirement of BIBL 680 to a menu where a student will choose from BIBL 610, 611, 620, and 621. Rationale: BIBL 680 is no longer taught with appropriate frequency.
- Master of Arts in Christian Ministry
- Change both of the required courses BIBL 630 and 682 to a BIBL text elective (BIBL 600-699 or BGRK/BHEB). Rationale: Give more flexibility for advising and better reflect current practice.
- Master of Arts in Theological Studies
- Add BIBM 602 – GST Orientation (0 credit hours) to the degree plan. Rationale: Each of our other master’s programs has an orientation course, and we simply overlooked this when setting up the program.
- Doctor of Ministry
- Remove the requirement for two spiritual formation retreats. Rationale: Student feedback has shown mixed levels of effectiveness. The DMin student body now included increasing numbers of international students with limited residency requirements in the US and the COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated moving residencies online. DMin retreats have always been zero credit, so this change will not impact total hours in the degree plan.
Sheila Jones
2:11 pm, 12.03.20
I have a question about: “Change the requirement of BIBM 651, 652, and 656 (1 credit hour each) to an option of either BIBM 648 of BIBM 621 (3 credit hours).”
The question is – are BIBM 651, 652, and 656 going away, or are they still collectively and option for the requirement? Also, I am thinking the “of” between BIBM 648 and BIBM 621 should be “or.”
Tim Sensing
4:26 pm, 12.07.20
BIBM 651, 652, and 656 are not going away. The three one-hour courses will still be an option for some students. We do have specialized cohorts that three one-hour options provides a longer process for spiritual formation. The change is happening because for the general student, they prefer the more traditional three-hour option.
Karen Witemeyer
9:05 am, 12.08.20
Sheila – That second “of” was a typo on my part. Sorry about that. It is correct on the approval chart.
Cherisse Flanagan
3:14 pm, 12.07.20
I would be interested in seeing the syllabus for the orientation course, including understanding when it is offered.
Tim Sensing
4:28 pm, 12.07.20
I have requested the syllabus and the listing of modules on Canvas. I will post soon. I do not see where to add an attachment, so I will respond to the email with the attachment.
Karen Witemeyer
9:04 am, 12.08.20
Tim – If you are not able to upload an attachment in the comments, you can send it to me and I can add it into the blog post.
Karen Witemeyer
11:29 am, 12.08.20
The BIBM 602 Syllabus has been added to the blog post above.
Time included this additional information:
The course is on Canvas. This is the list of the modules that students have in that course:
Orientation Welcome
Life in the GST
Assignments
Helpful Student Information
Donnie Snider
12:39 pm, 12.08.20
Shelia and Cherisse, thanks for your comments and questions.
Tim and Karen, thanks for your responses. If no other council members have questions or comments by 1:00 pm then we will consider the GST information items presented and discussed.
Tim and Chris Hutson thanks and good luck with the changes.
Tim Sensing
10:36 am, 12.09.20
Thank you Donnie. Thank you council members.