Fall 2008 Online Offerings – Desert Mothers, Consumerism and Murder Mysteries

Interested in the Desert Mothers, how to better protect yourself and others from ever-pressing consumerism, or religious themes in murder mysteries? Online registration is open now for these fall term courses in the Seminary of the Southwest Online School in Spirituality and Mission .

The Online School is designed for lay persons interested in a fuller understanding of Christian faith and practice, and for clergy and lay ministers seeking continuing education to support their vocation. Directors of religious education in area churches are welcome to suggest this opportunity to their parishioners.

Two Online School teachers have written several books on spirituality and led numerous retreats. The Rev. Mary Earle is teaching “The Desert Mothers: Spiritual Practices from Women of the Wilderness.” Debra Farrington explores “Holy Whodunits: Religion as Portrayed in Contemporary Murder Mysteries.” Robert Elzy Cogswell will offer new ways to be a Christian in a consumer-driven economy in “Consumerism against Christianity.”

Course details, frequently asked questions, faculty biographies and registration links are here.

Tuition is $175 per course – each begins September 15 and concludes October 31.

Please contact Madelyn Snodgrass, Online School administrator, for answers not found on the website – email or phone 512.472.4133, ext. 344.

The seven-week courses can be taken as an auditor or for Continuing Education Units (CEUs). Students taking the course for CEU’s are required to do the weekly reading assignments; participate each week on the discussion board and complete a 3-5 page integrating paper assigned by the instructor.

The number of CEU’s varies by diocese in the Episcopal Church and other faith denominations. Upon finishing an online course, the seminary will award each student a certificate showing completion of 20 hours of work for CEU’s. Each individual diocese will then be able to decide how many CEU’s to award for the number of hours per course.