University of Global Ministries is an educational program of the Federation of Christian Ministries, and is jointly administered by Virtual Academics. University of Global Ministries provides educational programs in the areas of religious studies, ministerial training, mentorships, and internships. These programs are operated in conjunction with the stated goals and mission of the parent organization, commonly known as FCM. It is understood that University of Global Ministries will initially offer certificate programs in various fields of religious studies and ministry with the eventual goal of developing an accredited graduate degree program. Additionally, we are pleased to announce that Womenpriests will be an affiliate of University of Global Ministries.
These courses will primarily be conducted as directed study offerings with the faculty
members listed in the faculty directory. A list of courses will be available for review in
the course listing section of this home page for FCM Online Academy. The cost of the
courses will be established prior to the January 1st start date for the program. It is
possible to gain a certificate in ministerial studies by completing a series of course
with FCM Online Academy. The number of courses required for the certificate will be
established in the early part of 2001 and included as part of this web site.
You can contact FCM Online Academy at the email address listed on this web page if you
have further questions.
Sincerely,
Gerald Grudzen
Chair,
FCM Online Academy
Instructors
"Holy Women in the Early Christian Tradition",
instructor: Sister Bridget Mary Meehan.
"Psychology and Spirituality",
instructor: John Thekkedam
"Sociology of Religion".
instructor: Joe Ruane
"The Psychology of C.G. Jung and the Spiritual Life",
instructor: Eleanor Marinaro (email: Elle-Dave@Juno.com)
This course is designed to explore the relationship between Jung's
psyhological theory and the spiritual dimension of human growth and development. The
course will place Jung in an historical context with other psychological models. You will
also examine a map of the spiritual journey to transformation and its inter-relationship
with psychological needs.
Eleanor is a practicing psychotherapist with extensive training in Jungian analysis as
well as various models of spiritual growth. She is also a board member of the Federation
of Christian Ministries.
The primary text for the course is: Jung's Map of the Soul by Murray Stein ISBN
#: 081-269376-0
"Christian and Muslim Perspectives on Science and Religion",
instructor: Gerald Grudzen, Ph.D. (email: GGrudzen@Yahoo.com)
Text: Religion and Science: Historical and Contemporary Issues, revised edition of 1997 by Ian Barbour:
ISBN # 0-06-060938-9
Central Course Objectives:
1. Familiarize students with the historical context of the dialogue and debate over Science and Religion.
2. Review the major cosmological and evolutionary theories that have affected the Religion and Science dialogue from the time of Galileo, Darwin and Einstein.
3. Study the major Islamic and Christian scholars who have contributed to trhe Religion and Science dialogue beginning with the Middle Ages and continuing into modern times.
4. Examine the various models of interaction between Religion and Science as developed by Ian G. Barbour: CONFLICT, INDEPENDENCE, DIALOGUE AND INTEGRATION. 5. Explore the roots of scientific inquiry within the Christian and Islamic traditions.
This course developed by Gerald Grudzen, Ph.D., University of Phoenix, and Shamsur Rahman, University of Chittagong, Bangladesh, has received a course award grant from the Center for Theology and Natural Sciences of the Graduate Theological Union, Berkeley, CA. The Templeton Foundation provides the funding for these grants which foster study of Religion and Science at the collegiate and post-graduate level. The course will be taught both at Chittagong University in Bangladesh and be availble to students of the University of Phoenix as well as through FCM Online Academy.
"Eastern Orthodoxy",
instructor: Lynn Walker
This is a general introductory overview of Eastern Orthodoxy. Through close study of
specific texts and visitation of Eastern liturgical settings, students will gain an
appreciation and understanding of the Eastern spirit and its liturgical consciousness.
Text: Common Ground: An Introduction to Eastern Christianity for the American
Christian by Bajis.
ISBN #: 0-13-011994-6
Lynn Walker is an FCM member residing in the New York area. She is also a member of the American Orthodox and active in the sacramental life of the American Orthodox Church and has extensive training in the history and theology of Orthodoxy.
"The Ministry of Women in Christian Tradition".
instructor: John Wijngaard
This course deals with the main stages of women's involvement with Christianity. The
course features examples of ordained ministry by women, particularly the role of women
deacons in the early Church and the role of Roman law and custom in changing this early
tradition.
Dr. John Wijngaard is a noted Catholic scholar in the fields of Sacred Scripture and
Church History. He was one of the featured speakers at the 2001 international conference
on Women's Ordination held in Dublin, Ireland. His new book is: The Ordination
of Women in the Catholic Church: Unmasking a Cuckoo's Egg Tradition. ISBN
# 0-232-52420-3
Please note that these courses are also available for credit from FCM's affiliated
university: Global Ministries
University
Global Minsitries University features Global Online Degrees (G.O.D.) in ministry and
theology. Global Ministries University is part of Virtual Academics
408-225-0105
300 S. First St., Suite 240, San Jose, CA 95113
General Information: info@fcmonlineacademy.org
Webmaster: webmaster@fcmonlineacademy.org