Online Degree Programs

Undergrad Education Courses at Assumption College

EDU 201 Schools And Society: An Introduction To American Education

In this course, students will gain an in-depth understanding of the role of schooling in American society. They examine the control and governance of schools by comparing the roles of the different education agencies (local, state, federal) and exploring the interaction of these different agencies. Students will also compare the structure of schools at different levels (elementary, middle, secondary) and analyze the relationship between the structure and the purpose schooling is intended to serve within society. Students also investigate the relationship between schools and society, in particular, the conflicting societal goals for schooling and the diverse societal pressures which impact on the schools’ ability to achieve the intended or articulated goals. Not open to first year students. (Fall, Spring) Danker, Gold, Handfield, Stutz/Three credits

SOC 243 Juvenile Delinquency

This course examines the history of “juvenile delinquency” as a societal category and as a social problem. While the main focus is on competing theories of delinquent behavior and the relative effectiveness of various policy responses to juvenile crime, the course will also focus extensively on media portrayals of juvenile criminals and the broader topic of the social construction of the juvenile crime problem. Specific topics include: decriminalization; deinstitutionalization; court diversion; radical nonintervention; community arbitration; and community-based corrections. Gendron/Three credits

MGT 301 The Environments Of Business

Investigates selected components of the macro-environment which surround any organization, and which have a growing impact on managerial processes and decisionmaking. Specifically examines changing business values, the impact of rapidly changing technology, business ethics, government-business relations, and rapidly shifting societal expectations. Also explores selected issues such as business responsibility with regard to pollution control, energy conservation, health and safety of employees, and employment of minorities. Prerequisites: MGT 100 and Junior/Senior standing. (Fall) Murphy/Three credits

352 ART OF THE RENAISSANCE 3
A review of late medieval, Byzantine painting and sculpture precedes a study
of early Italian art of the fifteenth century. The development of the sixteenth
century is traced through the work of da Vinci, Michelangelo and Raphael.
Covers how societal and church concerns affected the development of the late
Renaissance style. The art of Italy and that of Flanders and Germany are
contrasted.

WO560 SACRAMENTAL CELEBRATION: MUSIC, PRACTICE, AND THEOLOGY (3)

Staff
In this course the student will be encouraged to formulate a biblically and historically informed theology of Christian worship, rooted in the celebration and commemoration of God’s saving deeds in Jesus Christ and expressed fundamentally through the sacramental acts of baptism and Eucharist. Emphasis will be given to pastoral praxis and artistic (especially musical) support of sacramental actions.
WO599 INDEPENDENT RESEARCH IN WORSHIP (1-3)

Ruth
Guided, independent, introductory research in Worship. See academic policy and procedures. By contract. Credit only. May be repeated.
WO601 PUBLIC WORSHIP: DISCUSSION (2)

Ruth
Provides a study-discussion format for interaction with and application of the material of WO510. The primary work of the class will be the planning and designing of worship services to be used on campus and beyond, providing resources to the local church. Students will construct a biblical, theological, and historical matrix within which to evaluate worship services as well as develop a series of worship values to inform sound worship planning. Prerequisite: a course in the range of WO510-549. Credit only.
WO602 PUBLIC WORSHIP: PRACTICUM (3)

Ruth
Creates opportunities for primary services of parish worship, in order to evaluate and enhance the student’s ability to interpret, plan, and preside at these acts of worship (baptism, Eucharist, prayers, principal service, weddings, funerals). The course is a learning investment in which the criterion for performance is the psychomotor domain, more than the cognitive or affective domains. Prerequisite: a course in the range of WO510-549. Credit only.
WO611 MODELS OF WORSHIP EVANGELISM: BAPTISM WITH INTEGRITY (1)

Ruth
Most baptismal services ask candidates for baptism some of the most essential questions in our faith. What would it mean if we took these questions seriously? What would it mean to baptize with integrity? To answer these questions, this course will look at an ancient model of relating worship and evangelism known as the catechumenate, seeing how this model relates to conversion, baptism, and incorporation into a church’s worship life. The catechumenate will be explored in both its past historical setting and contemporary attempts to recover it in North America. Of particular interest will be a historical comparison of how certain understandings of God, salvation, and the church find expression in this mode of relating worship and evangelism.
WO612 MODELS OF WORSHIP EVANGELISM: SOCIETAL FELLOWSHIP (1)

Ruth
The course will look at a model of relating worship and evangelism as seen in the societal fellowship of early Methodism and in current expressions. Of particular interest will be a historical comparison of how certain understandings of God, salvation, and the church find expression in this mode of relating worship and evangelism.
WO613 WORSHIP EVANGELISM: PRAGMATIC WORSHIP (1)

Ruth
The course will look at a pragmatic model of relating worship and evangelism. What does the relationship look like when worship is seen as the pragmatic tool of evangelism? This question will be explored in both historic and current expressions. Of particular interest will be a historical comparison of how different understandings of God, salvation, and the church find expression in this mode of relating worship and evangelism.
WO/CA614 WORSHIP AND THE ARTS (3)

Staff
Humanity is created in the image of God. A part of what this means is that the creativity and imagination that God uses in creation is rooted in our nature and being. We will examine many ways that people have sought (and continue to seek) to celebrate the Holy God, through Christ, by the Holy Spirit, through expressions of the arts in worship. Topics we will explore include creative writing, music (particularly popular and world music), the visual arts, the environment for worship, drama, and movement and postures for worship. We will develop criteria for guiding us as we select expressions to include in corporate worship events and explore practical ways of incorporating artistic offerings in worship.
WO615 CROSS-CULTURAL STUDIES IN LITURGICAL PRAXIS: SOUTHEAST ASIA (3)

Staff
This course is a participatory immersion experience in the practice of Christian worship as found in various communities in Southeast Asia to encourage the development of liturgical practice that is contextually sensitive. The course will involve travel to Asia.
WO/CH620 WORSHIP, PRAYER, AND COMMUNITY IN THE ANGLICAN TRADITION (3)

Staff
The course will survey worship, prayers, and community in the context of the Book of Common Prayer from the sixteenth century reformation through the ecumenical liturgical movement of the twentieth century. The British churches will provide the major focus up to the latter years of the eighteenth century when, with special attention to North America, foreign “Anglican” churches begin to modify the exclusively English setting and character of the Prayer Book. Throughout the course students will be encouraged to relate to the developments of this distinctive tradition with those in other parts of the larger Christian community. Prerequisites: CH501 and CH502.
WO650 TUTORIAL IN WORSHIP (1-3)

Ruth
For students with specialized interests/needs in selected areas of intermediate study in Worship. Consult syllabus for prerequisites and course requirements. See academic policy. May be repeated.
WO/PR655 GETTING PREMODERN TO GO POSTMODERN: WISDOM FROM THE EARLY CHURCH FOR PREACHING AND WORSHIP TODAY (3)

Pasquarello, Ruth
This course seeks to facilitate a conversation between a Patristic vision of reality and the Postmodern world so as to provoke reflection and discussion about current possible practices of preaching and worship. It will seek to explore a third way for preaching and worship beyond the confines of so-called “contemporary” and “traditional” worship. Prerequisites: WO510, PR610.
WO/CA660 SONG LYRICS AND THEOLOGY (3)

Ruth
From old song to new song. That will be the method and aim of this course. In it students will follow the footsteps of John and Charles Wesley in using theological training to develop songs for worship. This seminar-type course will explore various collections of classic worship materials, including Wesleyan hymnody, to uncover profound theological themes and motifs. Students will be expected to show theological enrichment by composing lyrics for new worship songs to be shared with the class. Other poetic or liturgical expressions (i.e., a consecratory prayer for the Lord’s Supper) are negotiable with the professor. Students’ compositions will be evaluated not on the basis of musical quality but on their theological profoundness and suitability for the church’s worship of the God revealed in Jesus Christ. Prerequisite: DO501 or ST501.