International Programs
A Global Perspective for Duke Divinity School
As an institution within the church the Divinity School seeks to contribute to and learn from the life of the church in an increasingly globalized world. This desire to contribute and to learn takes its shape from Christ's invitation to share in God's love for the world. Through its international engagements, the Divinity School also seeks to respond to God's call for unity in diversity among the churches and in the world. As an institution that educates and forms students for ministry, the Divinity School seeks to engage students with the life of the church in a wider world as part of their education and formation. The Divinity School also seeks to play a full part in the internationalization of Duke University. Besides giving students an ever deeper appreciation for the international context of their lives, the Divinity School encourages faculty to develop cross-cultural research programs that in turn inform course development and teaching.
The Home Country. The International Studies Committee of Duke Divinity School serves as an ongoing resource to welcome and accommodate the students from other countries who make a significant contribution to the community. The Internationally Minded People of Faith (IMPF) extends that hospitality on behalf of the student population of the Divinity School, including the organization of an international worship service each semester. Every year, we have about a dozen international students from various countries. Because of financial limitations and the maturation of higher theological institutions in other parts of the world, a majority of the international students come for a shorter period of time and for advanced degrees. Additionally, the Divinity School is a strong proponent of international students receiving the fundamental theological training in their home country.
Academic Study. In addition to courses in World Christianity and courses in the history of religion administered by the graduate program in religion, various departments within the Divinity School offer courses related to international studies. The current World Christianity/International-related courses include:
The Early Medieval Church, Out of Africa: Christianity in North Africa before Islam, Introduction to Asian Religions, Christians in Religious Dialogue, Remembrance and Reconciliation: Geographies of Memory, The Christian World Mission, Liberation Theologies in Latin America, Africa, and Asia, The Church: Fragmentation and Wholeness, Contemporary Issues in the World Church, God and Caesar: Learning from the Church Struggle Against Apartheid, Christianity in Asia, The Faces of Jesus in Africa, Beyond Borders: Latin American, Latino, and Hispanic Theologies, Healing in the Developing World and Care of the Underserved: Medical and Theological Considerations, The Nation State and Theology in Africa, Thinking Theologically in a Global Context, Postcolonial Identities and Theologies in Africa, The Rwanda Genocide and the Challenge for the Church, Women's Voices from the Third World, Third World Theology, The Canterbury Course, African Christian Spirituality.
As complement to the course offerings, the Lecture Program Committee and the Office of Black Church Studies bring a succession of distinguished scholars and church leaders to speak in the Divinity School. Among these have been Lesslie Newbigin, Gustavo Gutierrez, Kwane Bediako, Njongokulu Ndungane and Jacques Dupuis.
Travel Seminar. The Divinity School continues to participate in the three-seminary travel seminar to the Middle East for five students each year. As an effort to sustain its commitment to the Peru Initiative envisioned by the late Dr. Fredrick Herzog, the Divinity School has sent students, staff and alumni to various locations within the country to conduct clergy education workshops during Spring Break. Additionally, our students regularly participate in travel seminars/missions to Haiti.
The most exciting development recently has been the Pilgrimage of Pain & Hope program facilitated by the Office of Black Church Studies. This program fosters opportunities to visit important historical, political and ecclesiastical sites in South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda and Brazil. Students, alumni, faculty, and staff hear the story of the church's struggle in each particular context against social injustices and experience the contemporary challenge to witness to Christ's peace and justice in the global society. In 2009, the Divinity School will host Pilgrimages of Pain and Hope in Rwanda and Uganda, led by Emmanuel Katongole, and to Durham, North Carolina, led by Rev. Tiffney Marley and Rev. Gaston Warner.
For more information about these programs, contact Rev. Tiffney Marley in the Office of Black Church Studies, Duke Divinity School, Box 90968, Durham, North Carolina 27708-0967.
Student Partnerships and Exchanges. An exchange program is in place between the Divinity School and the Protestant Faculty of the University of Erlangen, Germany. This exchange brings one Erlangen student to Duke and sends one Duke student to Erlangen every year. The Canterbury Study Abroad program, "Anglican Spirituality Course," brings divinity students from around the world to explore Anglican spirituality in light of diverse cultures and nations at Canterbury Cathedral in England for three weeks.
Individual students from time to time have made private arrangements for study abroad. This study has most often taken place in England or Scotland, with academic credit usually transferable toward the Duke degree.. The Divinity School is also strengthening its international field education opportunities, e.g. with summer internships in South Africa, Uganda, Brazil, Peru, Guatemala and El Salvador. These placements occur in both rural and urban settings.
Faculty Partnerships. Duke Divinity School is in partnership with several international church and scholastic institutions. Through these partnerships, faculty and students from the Divinity School and the partner institutions share expertise, experiences, and pray with and for one another. The partnership programs afford the opportunity for Duke Divinity School faculty and staff to visit, teach, serve and learn from the partner institutions, and for their students, faculty and staff to visit Duke University.
International Service. The involvement of Duke Divinity School with international institutions and cultures has always gone beyond one-way educational opportunities. Over the years, faculty, alumnae and alumni, and students have lived and worked in locations abroad, under both ecclesiastical and secular auspices. The latest listings include over 100 seminary graduates in ministry overseas.
Divinity students often participate in international service projects on a short-term basis. Faculty and staff, too, are engaged in a variety of activities outside the United States. In addition to innumerable conferences and lectures in Canada and Europe, professors have taught and given papers in numerous countries: for example, Professors Richard Hayes, Stephen Chapman, Laceye Warner, Willie Jennings, and William Turner have all taught at John Wesley College as a part of their program visiting-lecturer.
