Denver Seminary

141 TJA 700 Internship in Theology, Justice, and Social Advocacy This course is a field-based learning experience required of all Theology, Justice, and Advocacy students. It is designed to offer practical vocational experience and skill learning in a mentored service context in order to better prepare for faithful and effective justice ministry. There are two pathways for engaging the internship course. The first is a site-based option that places students in contexts intended to complement and reinforce their academic training; enable an appreciation of the complexity of justice-focused organizations and the individuals who work in the field; and provide students with insights to guide their further development of knowledge and skills in the years ahead. The second option is to engage in a semester-long research project in an area of injustice or social advocacy. The research project requires students to develop research questions, conduct research methods, analyze data, and report on findings. This course is primarily field-based but does require participation in some class sessions. Two hours. TRAINING AND MENTORING Denver Seminary is committed to equipping leaders for Kingdom service who are theologically minded, godly in character and highly competent in their work as they respond to the needs of the world. This requires intentional and purposeful partnerships between each student, the Seminary and other contexts of learning (church, parachurch, non-faith-based organizations). Denver Seminary's training and mentoring courses require collaboration between a student, a mentoring professor, and an external mentor. The student is required to meet in person and one-on-one with their mentor beginning in TM 501. Distance mentoring does not satisfy this requirement. Each TM course builds upon another as students create integrative and theologically informed learning experiences for their growth in Christian character and professional skill. The educational objective is that, upon completion of the entire TM course sequence, the student will have developed a greater capacity for self- directed and life-long learning. For the purposes of the training and mentoring experience, it is not permitted for a mentor to be another current Denver Seminary student, a spouse, or a relative. TM 500 Introduction to Mentored Formation This course provides theological and educational frameworks for Christian formation, which prepare students for the pursuit of character and professional skill development through mentored learning. Students discern, develop, manage, and reflect upon their own unique learning experience in various contexts of their life with God. The tools provided equip students to integrate and pursue intentional, whole-life growth and to influence others to do the same. Students prepare for TM 501 and beyond by honing their ability to select and engage mentors, write customized learning plans, and engage in theological reflection. One hour. TM 501 Mentored Formation In this semester of mentored formation, students learn how to discern, develop, manage, and reflect on a personalized learning experience, writing a learning plan curriculum which is focused on the formation of the whole person. Students utilize cognitive, experiential, and relational learning practices, some of which are familiar and others that uniquely challenge their learning style. These practices include ten hours of engagement with a self-procured mentor, in person and one-on-one, within the bounds of the semester. It is required that the student procure the mentor before the start of the semester. The intended outcome of the semester is to strengthen a student's capacity for life-long learning so that whole-life, relational formation continues post-seminary. Prerequisite: TM 500 Introduction to Mentored Formation. One hour.

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