Spring 2021 Courses: January 20, 2021- May 14, 2021

Registration is now available for ACTS Spring 2021 course offerings.

ACTS 2001 INTRODUCTION TO THEOLOGICAL RESEARCH AND WRITING WITH DR. SARAH MORCOS (ASL)

This course introduces seminary students to graduate-level research and writing skills with specific attention to academic writing, theological research, citations, and elements of writing style. The seminar introduces the nature of theological reflection and “thinking theologically” concerning various topics and issues they encounter in academic study and ministry. This course is a prerequisite for all programs.

ACTS 3040 INTRODUCTION TO LITURGICAL STUDIES WITH DR. RAMEZ MIKHAIL (ASL)

This course is a survey of the liturgical history of the Church's liturgical traditions. During this course, students will learn the fundamental methodology of liturgical research, how to properly proceed from data to conclusions. Next, the course will explore the liturgical tradition of the church from a historical perspective during the New Testament period, the Early Church before Nicaea (AD 325), the post-Nicene Church, and later developments. The emphasis throughout will be on the development of the Eucharist, the Church's most-central worship event, and on the sacraments of Baptism and Chrismation. This course fulfills a core requirement for the MTS Program and fulfills an elective for the Certificate Programs.

ACTS 3023 BIBLICAL APOLOGETICS WITH HENRY AWAD AND FR. GREGORY BISHAY (ASL)

This course will explore how to defend the faith (1 Pet 3:15), answer every question (Col. 4:6), reason with others (Acts 18:4), and cast down arguments (2 Cor 10:5) regarding the basic principles of the faith. This course assists servants to reactively respond to questions by removing intellectual and existential barriers, while proactively sharing the relevant message of the Gospel. This course fulfills a Biblical Elective requirement for the MTS Program.

ACTS 3025 INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT WITH DR. EUGENIA CONSTANTINOU, (SYN)

WEDNESDAYS from 9AM-12PM. This course is an introduction to the New Testament, the Orthodox understanding of the New Testament and its interpretation, as well as an introduction to the field of modern biblical studies. Together we will survey the history, culture, geography, literary aspects, authorship, theology and important themes of the New Testament and its books. We will also explore the formation of the New Testament canon, manuscripts and issues of translation. We will study the persons, interpretive style and techniques of important early patristic interpreters as well as the theories and methods employed in modern biblical studies.  This course fulfills a Core requirement for the Orthodox Scripture Certificate and the MTS Program.

ACTS 3045 HOLY WEEK WITH DR. RAMEZ MIKHAIL (HYBRID)

In addition to pre-recorded weekly lectures students will attend the following  live sessions on select SATURDAYS from 10 AM to 1 PM (PST) (January 30, February 20, March 6, March 20, April 17). This course is an examination of the origins and development of the Coptic liturgical tradition of Holy Week, comprising the services for Lazarus Saturday, Palm Sunday, Holy Week, and the Resurrection. An initial survey of liturgical time, the liturgical year, and the development of feasts in the Early Church paves the way for exploring the Coptic services of Holy Week as a unique expression of the paschal mystery in the life of Coptic Orthodox Christians reflected in medieval primary sources. Prerequisite ACTS 3040 Introduction to Liturgical Studies. This course fulfills an Elective for the MTS program.

ACTS 3055 INTRODUCTION TO APOLOGETICS: CRITICAL THINKING WITH FR. GREGORY BISHAY (SYN)

Live sessions will be on WEDNESDAYS, 6:00 PM-9:00 PM PST but students who cannot attend live can view later. Live attendance is encouraged. This course will explore how to defend the faith (1 Pet 3:15), answer every question (Col. 4:6), reason with others (Acts 18:4), and cast down arguments (2 Cor. 10:5) regarding the basic principles of the Faith. This course assists servants to reactively respond to questions by removing intellectual and existential barriers, while proactively sharing the relevant message of the Gospel. This course will prepare and equip servants to respond to basic challenges of the faith.  This course fulfills an elective requirement for Graduate Certificates and the MTS Program.

ACTS 3060 INTRODUCTION TO DOGMATICS WITH H.E. METROPOLITAN SERAPION, H.G. BISHOP KYRILLOS, AND FR. KYRILLOS IBRAHIM  (ASL)

This course introduces the dogmatic content of Orthodox theology, with a special focus on Trinitarian Theology and Christology.  This course fulfills a Core requirement for the Early Christian Studies Certificate and the MTS Program.

ACTS 3093 PSYCHOLOGY OF FAMILY WITH DR. LINDA ABDELSAYED (SYN) MANDATORY LIVE ONLINE COURSE

Meetings will be held on 5 weekends on: Jan 29-31, Feb 19- 21, March 19-21, April 16-18, and May 7-9. Time: Fridays and Sundays 6:00pm-9:00pm, Saturdays 9am-12pm PST. This course provides an overview of the field of family psychology. The four primary areas of study include 1) several family theory frameworks from which to understand families, 2) the family life cycle, and 3) interventions to improve behavioral, developmental, and emotional health among individuals and between family members across the lifespan. Students will also 4) apply these concepts to their own family of origin, for in order to help others, a counselor must first know oneself (Matthew 7:4). This course fulfills an elective requirement for Graduate Certificates and the MTS Program.

ACTS 3083 INTRODUCTION TO ORTHODOX ICONOGRAPHY WITH MR. ASHRAF GERGES (SYN)

SUNDAYS at 12:00-3:00PM (PST). This course introduces theology, history and basic concepts contemporary Coptic iconography, as established by Professor Isaac Fanous. The objective is how to communicate and translate the invisible mystery of the divinity in the visible image of the icon. Ideally, students should have some artistic background and acquaintance with iconography. This course fulfills an elective requirement for Graduate Certificates and the MTS Program.