Each unit in the following working course outline begins with a theme (e.g., "Origins"),
notes the essential readings all teaches will cover, and suggests a number of possible topics to be explored in relation to the overarching theme, and offers a possible specific "case" that lends itself to examination in relation to the Biblical story and other readings.
Because teachers bring different backgrounds, experiences and expertise to their classes, the classes will vary to some degree from teacher to teacher.

I. Origins -- In this unit we begin identifying our own origins as individuals, including a written assignment which would be the beginning of a spiritual autobiography. We can move from cosmic to the individual, including scientific and religious narratives.
Common reading: Gen. 1:1 - 4:16
Supplemental readings and assignments: spiritual autobiography; scientific narrative(s) of the beginning (e.g., Big Bang, First Three Seconds, etc.); 2-3 creation stories from other cultures.
Possible topics: nature & nurture, range of possible trajectories determined at conception, purposes to which narratives can be put, self-definition and definition of self by others, religion vs. science with regard to creation
Case study: Focus on science vs. religion as reflected in cosmology narratives

II. Freedom & Bondage -- In discussing the idea of freedom, we have a chance to work in a number of related ideas. [The minister in Rico Ainslie’s recent documentary film on integration in Navasota noted that for his (African-American) congregation, God was a “God of deliverance,” and very different in some ways from the “God of blessings” and abundance found in more affluent congregations.]
Common readings: Exodus 1:1 - 20:26; 31:18 - 34:35
Supplemental readings: Mark 10:17-31; Galatians 4:1-31; a “condensed version of Israel’s stories focusing on the Patriarchs in Gen. 12:1-2, Gen. 37-47; Gen: 45:4-5,7-8; Rom. 11:17-18; Joshua 24:2-14; Deut. 6; Psalm 105 and 106
Possible topics -- substance abuse;, racism & slavery historically and in the Sudan today; religious & ethnic war; attitudes inherited vs. those we earn, civil rights; gay and lesbian political movement; political & religious zealotry
Case study -- Focusing on a recovering alcoholic or addict, or the Civil Rights movement in the U.S.

III. Tolerance & Intolerance -- What do we refuse to tolerate? What do we feel compelled to tolerate? As we talk about these ideas, we have a chance to reflect on the Bible as a mirror of our condition.
Common readings -- Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29-36); Canaanite woman (Luke 17:15-18 and Mark 7:24-30); Levi the tax collector (Luke 5:27-32, Matt. 9:9-13; Mark 2:13-17); Ruth; Parables of the Lost (Luke 15)
Supplemental readings: excerpts from Paul’s letters as the community began to determine what could and could not be tolerated; Ruth; Sodom & Gomorrah; Judges(?); Martin Buber.
Possible topics --- racism & civil rights; anti-semitism; homophobia and gay-lesbian issues; “outsider” perspectives and narratives; Self & Other; tension between diversity & unity and related issues; cultural attitudes toward foreigners through history and today (e.g., in Japan, in the U.S., etc.).
Case study: Murder of Matthew Sheppard in Wyoming; perceptions of who is a safe target in any community. What does it mean to be a member of a smaller community that itself is part of a larger community, that may be a member of an even larger community. (Baptist, Christian, Believer, or Catholic, Irish-American, American). Also some discussion of “what is truth?” and exploring how truth and pluralism co-exist, competing truth claims, etc.

IV. Justice & Mercy -- A primary theme of interest to our students, and touching on issues of “fairness,” and compassion..
Common readings: Job; Micah (especially 6:6-8)
Supplemental readings: Cain & Abel; Jacob & Esau, Judas & Jesus; David and Uriah; the prodigal son, treament of Hagar, Ishmael, Esau, Leah, Ruth; selections from Buddhist scripture; handout from Theology 12 on “Passion and Compassion”
Additional materials: Films “Gandhi,” short film on MLK, “Breaker Morant”
Possible topics: reconciliation in post-apartheid South Africa; war criminals in Balkans; Khmer Rouge in Cambodia; application of death penalty in Texas; Disparities in drug enforcement & sentencing; authority, how it is exercised and engaged by others; balance of mercy & justice; repentance, redress & reconciliation; discussion of the problem of evil. Why is there so much injustice if we believe God is a perfectly just God? What does God require of us? How is the message of Jesus a continuing of the message of Old Testament prophets?
Case study: Mandela’s post-apartheid South Africa; treatment of Japanese-Americans in WWII U.S.; Nuremberg trials & Simon Wiesenthal; capital punishment; treament of former Khmer Rouge leaders in today’s Cambodia;

V. Love & Indifference -- An exploration of love as it came to be understood in Christian community.
Common reading: 1st Corinthians 13
Supplemental readings: Ten Commandments (re: presence or absence of “love”); Song of Songs; Jesus in Gospels; Diane Ackerman’s Natural History of Love; The Four Loves by C.S. Lewis
Possible topics: kinds of love; cultural context of eastern Mediterranean and novelty of idea of “agape”; relationships among young people and confusion regarding idea of “love.”
Case study: evolution of love in a relationship; eros/phileo/agape; metaphors for, and understandings of, human/divine relationship; seeming presence or absence of a similar understanding of love in other traditions.

VI. Journey & Stasis -- A concluding “bookend” to match the initial autobiographical project. Continuing the focus on narrative, and seeing how the theme of transformation is found in relation to an individual or group. Touching on the
pattern of departure > conflict/initiation > return.
Common reading: The Litttle Prince
Supplemental reading/assignments: Abraham cycle; David; prodigal son; Jesus returning to hometown; Saul to Paul; autobiographical project on “Who I understand myself to be becoming, and how that is unfolding.” Project on “The world is different because of my presence. How am I making the world different than it would otherwise be?”
Topics --- Risk, courage, doubt, personal changes & relations with others, calling.
Case study -- relationships within families, classes, communities as individuals within them change
Conclusion -- writing and presenting spiritual autobiographies

VII. Autobiographical Project