This course introduces public theology by way of its history, importance, and complexities; its connections to ministry and public service inside and outside of religious congregations and institutions; and the attendant implications of all of this for both conceptions of leadership and requirements of leadership training. Participants will encounter influential frameworks for thinking about these issues and will be encouraged to formulate their own way of conceiving public theology, ministry, public service, and leadership in conversation with those existing frameworks. The course will engage religious and non-religious settings for ministry and public leadership, as well as ethical, religious, and both private- sector and public-sector business-management approaches to conceiving leadership in such settings. A prominent feature of the course is case studies, in which different styles of public theology, ministry, public service, and leadership are exhibited and analyzed, to hone participants' thinking about, and practical preparedness for, leadership roles in public service and ministry.

Note that this information may change at any time. Please visit the MyBU Student Portal for the most up-to-date course information.