Presbyterianism: Principles and Practice

An on-site course for seminarians during the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

June 20-28, 2008 
SanJose, California

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Join us! The structure and mission of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) — not to mention issues currently being debated within the denomination — come alive at General Assembly (GA). Seminarians have the opportunity to experience it all firsthand by participating in this on-site, for-credit course.

Beginning at 2 p.m. on Friday, June 20, and continuing until the General Assembly concludes on Saturday, June 28, each student will experience the rich diversity of persons and programs that make the PC(USA) what it is by participating in a variety of class activities, including lunchtime debriefing sessions (except Wednesday, June 25, when seminary luncheons are held). Students will:

• monitor the activity of a GA committee and report its actions to the group
• learn about special interest groups
• explore the range of GA-staffed displays in the exhibit area
• observe the election of a new moderator for the denomination
• witness plenary debate on issues
• participate in special events
• take part in regular worship and communion

Sponsors

• San Francisco Theological Seminary (SFTS)
• The Committee on Theological Education
• The Office of General Assembly

Facilitators

Presbyterianism: Principles and Practice will be taught by Dr. David Tomlinson, professor of ministry, SFTS; Dr. Jack Rogers, moderator, 213th General Assembly; Dr. Elizabeth Nordquist, associate professor of spirituality, SFTS; and Dr. Charles Marks, associate professor of ministry, SFTS.

Course requirements and fees

To receive academic credit of 3 semester hours through SFTS, students pay $1238 to SFTS and complete all reading and written assignments, including a journal and a 10-15 page paper. To receive academic credit for 1.5 semester hours, students pay $619 to SFTS, complete the required journal assignment and prepare written comments of three to four pages on assigned readings related to the actions of the General Assembly.

There may be limited space to audit the course. Auditors pay $350 to SFTS and are required to keep a journal during their time at GA. Preference in course registration will be given to students taking the course for credit. If you are enrolled at a PC(USA) seminary, you may take advantage of cross-registration by paying a $275 course  participation fee, rather than tuition, to SFTS. Please see your PC(USA) seminary campus contact for more details. The class will have five lunches and two Friday dinners (June 20 and 27) together as a group, with the cost of the meals charged to participants.

Students also pay $50 to register as an observer for the General Assembly meeting. The fee covers access to the electronic reports of the General Assembly (RGAs), an official name badge and tote bag.

Housing accommodations

Students enrolled in this course and registered for the assembly will be eligible to request housing in the assembly hotels in San Jose at discounted rates ranging from $103 to $119 per night double occupancy. Online GA registration/housing will open by early March 2008. Students already enrolled in this course will receive instructions from the GA Meeting Service for completing their assembly registration/housing request online.

Register today!

1. If you are enrolled in a PC(USA) seminary, please see your PC(USA) seminary campus contact to review the course syllabus, learn about PC(USA) seminary cross-registration (which may allow you to receive credit by paying only the $275 course participation fee and $50 General Assembly registration fee) and obtain a course registration form.
   
   Or, if you are enrolled in a non-PC(USA) seminary, call Sue Ann Wichman at (626) 397-9004 x703 to ask for a course registration form and syllabus or go to the San Francisco Theological Seminary Web site.
2. Submit the completed course registration form with payment by May 1, 2008, to:
   San Francisco Theological Seminary/Southern California
   54 N. Oakland Ave.
   Pasadena, CA 91101