Teaching
Overview
At the Luce Center, we believe that the arts are essential to the moral, intellectual, and spiritual formation of faith leaders. Our faculty are leading scholars and arts practitioners who take pride in their work as educators.
We offer students multiple opportunities to engage in Religion and the Arts (RA) at Wesley Theological Seminary. Luce Center faculty teach a wide range of RA courses, all of which are open to MA, MTS, and MDiv students as well as non-degree seekers. We also offer a Specialization in Theology and the Arts for students enrolled in Wesley’s Master’s-level programs. We also provide advanced training through our Doctor of Ministry: Curating Community Through the Arts Track. Scroll down for more information about these programs.
Master’s Specialization in Theology & the Arts
The Theology & the Arts Specialization offers students the opportunity to explore the intersections between religion and the arts in Christianity, Judaism, and other faiths; engage in creative practice; and develop skills for worship and community engagement. Graduates who obtain the Specialization go on to use it in various ways, whether advancing their career in arts ministry or non-profit arts organizations, honing their own creative practice, or as preparation for studying religion and the arts at the doctoral level. The Theology and the Arts Specialization also pairs well with other specializations offered by Wesley for students wishing to gain expertise in multiple areas. Requirements for the specialization include: completing 12 RA credit hours, including at least 1 practice-based credit; and delivering a public presentation during the final semester.
To declare a specialization, complete this form, and submit to Dr Devon Abts, program director.
Doctor of Ministry: Curating Community through the Arts
The arts generate and sustain communities. By studying and supporting the arts, faith leaders can discover new ways to bring people together, both in church and beyond. Explore the role of art, architecture, literature, and film in community formation using tools from biblical studies, theological aesthetics, and cultural studies. Teaching consists of short-stay courses, on-line learning, and study trips, tailored to the needs and schedules of professionals in DC and around the world.
For more information, please visit Wesley Theological Seminary’s dedicated webpage.
Non-Degree Learners
We welcome students of all faiths and none to take our classes in the arts, whether on an a la carte basis, as a precursor to degree study, or as part of continuing education for their profession. We are happy to offer advice on classes suitable to students of all levels.
For info on trying a class, see here, and contact admissions: admissions@wesleyseminary.edu; 202-885-8659. To register for a course, please fill out this application. For students from a parter seminary who want to take a course at Wesley, see here.