Polity Class

Polity Class Information for General Synod 34.

Eden Theological Seminary

 2023 Summer Course on United Church of Christ History and Polity 

Need to take UCC History and Polity as part of your authorization process? This 3-credit course by Eden Theological Seminary will fill that requirement. Participation in this hybrid course will require synchronous class meetings via zoom and asynchronous coursework using Eden’s learning management system (Brightspace). Class will meet five times prior to Synod, and five times during General Synod 34 in Indianapolis, IN. Class meetings during Synod are set around plenaries, worship, and events. To make this course accessible to more students, all the class meetings will be on Zoom, including those when Synod is meeting. 

Who Should Take This Class

Seminary students, especially those attending a school where UCC History and Polity is not regularly offered.

Persons seeking Privilege of Call ministerial standing in the UCC. 

Persons seeking Dual Standing, who are in a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) partnership or are currently serving or planning to serve a UCC congregation. 

Persons encouraged by their local Committee on Ministry to take this course as part of a multiple path to ordination. 

Cost of Participation

Option A: 

Tuition for 3 credit hour course – $2025.00 

Attend Synod online: Commit to watching all livestream Synod plenary sessions, so you will be able to participate in class discussions. 

Cost of textbooks; official transcript by request ($8.50) 

Option B: 

Tuition for 3 credit hour course – $2025.00 

Attend Synod in person: register for General Synod as a visitor or delegate (if elected by your Conference) 

Textbooks; official transcript by request ($8.50) 

Participants are required to attend General Synod either online or in person. Information about General Synod 34 is available at www.generalsynod.org. 

Those with tuition paid in full will be guaranteed a place until forty registrations have been accepted. Others will then be placed on a waiting list in the order their registration was received. No audits will be accepted. Final registration deadline is June 16, 2023. 

About the Course

This will be an intensive course spanning 3 weeks, covering all the essential material covered in a full semester polity course, in addition to discussion of the actions and resolutions at this General Synod. Readings and videos can be done before and during class. Assignments will be due during class, and shortly after class meetings finish.

We will utilize Eden’s learning management system, Brightspace, to facilitate access to course materials, including syllabus, booklists, zoom links and other materials.

Synchronous class sessions (via ZOOM) before Synod will be scheduled for: June 21-23 and June 26–27; 10:00am-12:00pm CT

Using the same zoom link, when Synod is in session synchronous class sessions will meet (Please note the change in time zone):

June 30th, 12:00pm-2:00pm ET

July 1st, 1:30pm-3:30pm ET

July 2nd, 10:00am-12:00pm ET

July 3rd, 1:00pm-2:00pm ET

July 4th, 12:30pm-2:00pm ET 

Class times subject to change, pending release of the final Synod agenda. Notice of any changes will be sent via email and posted on Brightspace.

For those attending Synod in person, informal gatherings will be coordinated on site outside of class times. 

Instructor

Dr. Jill Baker has taught UCC History and Polity at Eden since 2014. She has served at the local, Conference and National settings in a wide range of positions, including one term on the Office of General Ministries Board, and volunteer at two synods on the Synod Production Team. She is presently the Conference Moderator in Illinois South Conference UCC and Director of Rainbow Camp in her Conference. 

Registration

To register for this class, click on the registration link below: UCC History and Polity @ Special Edition General Synod 34 

Upon registration, students will be directed to our accounting office to make payment for the course. Your payment is what secures your spot in this limited enrollment course. 

On or around June 1, you will receive instruction from Eden Seminary’s Director of Educational Technology on how to access the online course materials in Brightspace. 

Registration Deadline: June 16, 2023 

Class limited to the first 40 completed and paid registrations. 

Documentation of credits

Students who wish to have a transcript documenting the course, final grade, and academic credit will be able to make that request upon completion of the course. Information on how to obtain an official transcript will be made available to you in the Brightspace course site. 

Student Withdrawal from Course

The following refund schedule applies to all student withdrawals. 

Please contact the Registrar at mwobbe@eden.edu should you need to withdraw from this course. 

By June 16, 2023 – full refund

By June 25, 2023 – 50% refund 

After June 25, 2023 – 0% refund 

Cancellation of course

This course may be cancelled at any time by Eden Theological seminary, with full refund of registration, by written notice to the student. 

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