CASIRAS and CCRS seek to achieve a greater integration between the scientific and religious models or images concerning the nature, destiny, and moral behavior of humans. Dimensions of CASIRAS's work include seminars, courses, conferences, symposia, and guided research as well as the publication of Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science. In cooperation with LSTC and M/L, CASIRAS offers the advanced Seminar in Religion and Science (T-672) each year, usually in the spring quarter.
For further information contact Philip Hefner, LSTC; phone: 773-256-0670.
Centro para Desarrollo Comunitario y Liderato (CDCL) is a community-based organization established in 1981 to serve the predominantly Latino community of the near northwest side of Chicago. Centro seeks to (1) develop programs by creating networks of grassroots organizations and churches (from all the denominations present in the area) to meet the needs of the community's poor and minority population; (2) do organizing around grassroots issues to promote neighborhood stability and empowerment; (3) provide training to both community lay leaders and pastors on institutional development and strategies for resolving community issues; and (4) provide consulting and technical assistance to grassroots organizations and churches on effective methodologies for leadership, institutional, and community development.
CDCL seeks to address the root causes of poverty in the Latino community of Chicago by raising the awareness level of community residents and assisting them in self-development, leadership skills, and becoming self-sufficient. These leaders, in turn, become community assets in developing strategies to resolve or alleviate social problems. CDCL's work is accomplished in relationship with well-established social, educational, and religious institutions. It serves as a center for the empowerment of leaders and the self-development and training of Latino pastors and residents of Chicago.
The Seminary Consortium for Urban Pastoral Education (SCUPE) provides specific programs of study in the area of urban pastoral education. SCUPE works cooperatively with Chicago- area churches and community agencies and is committed to the development of competent and creative leaders who both understand and can work with the realities of power, poverty, and pluralism found in cities.
For students interested in exploring urban ministry as a vocation, SCUPE provides an intensive spring-quarter program of urban pastoral education that is designed to fit into the core curriculum of a Master of Divinity degree. Through an integrated educational structure of curriculum, church/agency internship, and small-group process, SCUPE students live, work, and study in the city, developing both professional and personal skills. Representative courses include Transforming Urban Communities; Church-based Community Development; Christology and Culture; Urban Issues; and Dimensions of Leadership for Urban Ministry.
Students unable to undertake the full program may enroll in individual courses offered throughout the spring quarter. It is possible for students to extend the internship component of the program into the summer quarter for additional field education credit. Courses offered by SCUPE during the academic year appear with a SCUPE prefix in the course descriptions in this catalog.
Students from ACTS schools that are members of SCUPE (G-ETS and NPTS) receive both academic and field education credit for the SCUPE program. Students from other ACTS schools are responsible to arrange details of accreditation and tuition payment through their seminary dean.
Every two years SCUPE hosts the Congress on Urban Ministry, which brings together persons involved in urban ministry throughout the nation. The next congress will be held in April 1998. A one-week intensive course is offered in conjunction with the congress.
For further information about SCUPE, contact Carol Ann McGibbon, Executive Vice President.
Spertus College, the academic division of Spertus Institute, offers graduate degrees (master's and doctoral) in Jewish Studies and provides continuing adult education for the Chicago community at large. The college is the largest nonrabbinical training school for higher Jewish learning in the Midwest. Certain Spertus degrees may be earned through "distance learning."
Founded in 1924, the institute is comprised of Spertus College, the Asher Library, and Spertus Museum. The Asher Library and Spertus Museum hold the major collections of Jewish art, ritual objects, books, journals, music videos, and archives in the Chicago area. These resources are available to faculty and students of ACTS schools.
An agreement between Spertus College and the Chicago Cluster of Theological Schools was signed in 1978 to provide for library access and cross-registration of students. Various courses have been taught on ACTS campuses as well. Spertus courses are open for cross-registration for students of all ACTS schools, but special considerations may apply. Because procedures for cross-registration, acceptance of courses for credit, and modes of payment may differ in individual schools, students are responsible to determine what particulars apply at their own schools.
For further information about all Spertus courses and programs, contact the Office of Student Services; phone: 312-322-1769.
Women's Place Resource Center (WPRC) is a place where women and women's organizations come together for learning, support, and networking. Women from diverse religious traditions, life experiences, and commitments in the world are welcomed. The women of WPRC are deeply committed to addressing both local and global issues that affect women.
WPRC offers a number of services:
WPRC cosponsors seminars and programs related to its concerns throughout the year. Programs that focus on women's spirituality, battered women, women's health, women in leadership, or other issues can be arranged for seminaries, schools, and churches.