Faith-based Organizing, Advocacy, and Social Transformation Certificate
Program Code: D-FOAST-C
Degree Designation: Certificate
Department: Divinity School
Website: divinity.duke.edu/academics/certificates/faith-organizing
Program Summary
The Certificate in Faith-based Organizing, Advocacy, and Social Transformation is for students seeking to engage in campaigning and advocacy work, community organizing, community development, and related forms of social, political, and economic witness from a Christian basis. Such work can either be a part of congregational ministry; local, national, or international nonprofit work; public policy and advocacy; or involve the delivery and governance of public education, health, welfare, or housing. The certificate is available to students in MDiv (residential and hybrid), MTS, and MA degree programs.
Such involvement can be a constitutive element of congregational ministry, work in not-for-profit organizations (whether local, national, or international in reach), social justice activism, or participation in the delivery and governance of public education, health, welfare, or housing. The certificate provides a pathway to the kinds of learning and formation needed for such endeavors. It will also connect students to others with a similar sense of vocation and direct them to expertise and learning opportunities in the Divinity School, the Center for Reconciliation, the broader university, the surrounding community, and to alumni beyond the Triangle area. In short, the certificate provides a framework for students seeking to learn how to cultivate thriving communities and a just and generous common life.
Academic Requirements
Requirements for Residential MDiv Students
1 core course from the following: PARISH 792, WXTIAN 845, XTIANETH 813, or PARISH 802.
1 Divinity elective course. A comprehensive list of elective courses is available to students in the degree audit system.
1 elective course focused on an area of policy or practice (e.g., healthcare, public health, public policy, environment, energy, food systems, schooling, prisons, housing, social work, social movements, public administration). This can be from courses offered either inside or outside the Divinity School as agreed with the certificate faculty directors (preference is given to courses external to the Divinity School).
Project or Field Education: Independent civic engagement or social action project or appropriate field education placement that involves some aspect of social, political, or economic witness as agreed in collaboration with the Office of Field Education and the faculty directors.
Podcast Reflection: Listen to all episodes of the first series of the “Listen, Organize, Act!” podcast and write a 1000-word reflection on key points of learning from the podcast.
Recommended, but not required:
participate in designated spiritual formation groups and leadership training. This will typically entail participation in either CHURMIN 709: Sustaining Practices for Work on the Margins or CHURMIN 708 (Berean Cohort) spiritual formation group for at least one year.
Industrial Areas Foundation’s 2 or 5-day training (or equivalent with parallel networks such as Faith in Action). Access to this training can be arranged via a church or organization in membership with an organizing network.
Summer Institute for Reconciliation.
Requirements for Hybrid MDiv Students
1 core course from the following: PARISH 792, WXTIAN 845, XTIANETH 813, or PARISH 802.
2 Divinity elective courses. A comprehensive list of elective courses is available to students in the degree audit system.
Project or Field Education within Formation for Ministry: Independent civic engagement initiative, social action project, initiative in your vocational sector, campaign for social justice, or community-related church ministry that involves some aspect of social, political, or economic witness as agreed in collaboration with the faculty directors within Formation for Ministry.
Podcast Reflection: Listen to all episodes of the first series of the “Listen, Organize, Act!” podcast and write a 1500-word reflection on key points of learning from the podcast in dialogue with and as they relate to the civic engagement/social action/ministry project participated in.
Recommended, but not required:
Industrial Areas Foundation’s 2 or 5-day training (or equivalent with parallel networks such as Faith in Action). Access to this training can be arranged via a church or organization in membership with an organizing network.
Summer Institute for Reconciliation.
Requirements for MTS Students
1 core course from the following: PARISH 792, WXTIAN 845, XTIANETH 813, or PARISH 802.
2 Divinity elective courses. A comprehensive list of elective courses is available to students in the degree audit system.
Thesis on a topic related to the certificate, as negotiated with faculty directors.
Podcast Reflection: Listen to all episodes of the first series of the “Listen, Organize, Act!” podcast and write a 1500-word reflection on key points of learning from the podcast, ideally as these points of reflection relate to some experience/involvement in civic or community engagement.
Recommended, but not required:
Independent civic engagement or social action project or appropriate church placement that involves some aspect of social, political, or economic witness.
Requirements for MA Students
2 courses in the certificate area. A comprehensive list of elective courses is available to students in the degree audit system.
1 additional course with an assignment related to the aims and objectives of the certificate (arranged with the instructor)
Project or Field Education: Independent civic engagement initiative, social action project, an initiative in your vocational sector, campaign for social justice, or community-related church ministry that involves some aspect of social, political, or economic witness as agreed in collaboration with the faculty directors.
Podcast Reflection: Listen to all episodes of the first series of the “Listen, Organize, Act!” podcast and write a 1500-word reflection on key points of learning from the podcast that relates to and in dialogue with the civic engagement/social action/ministry project participated in.
Vocational Integration Summary: 1,000-word summary about how the student’s current vocational work integrates with the specific concerns and focus of the certificate.