SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF LEIPZIG
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Department Old Testament
Department New Testament
Department Church History
Department Systematic Theology
Department Practical Theology
Department Religious Education

Department: Old Testament
Prof. Lux, Prof. Mathias, N.N.

During each semester at least one general lecture and one exegetic lecture will be held. Seminars and exercise courses will take place on a regular basis.

General Lecture
The themes for the general lectures are: Theology of the Old Testament, Introduction to the Old Testament, The History of Israel.

Theology of the Old Testament
This lecture develops the basic theological structures of the three parts of the Hebrew Bible canon (Torah, Prophets, Writings) and shows their relationship to each other. This takes place upon a fundamental hermeneutic reflection which is in complete commitment with the discussion of the interpretation of the synagogue. Along with this, there will be themes dealing with theological anthropology (the individual before God), and the concept of the Creation as well as humankind’s relationship to God within the community, as an individual and in his world.

Introduction to the Old Testament
The use of the term "introduction" does not mean that this is a lecture introducing the Old Testament exegesis, but rather it is literary history of the Old Testament: Origin of the Old Testament Book collection (canon history), history of texts, history of the origins of the individual books and literature of the Old Testament.

History of Israel
This lecture deals with an overall view of the history of Israel from its beginnings to the Hellenistic-roman period. This lecture is also available for the students of the teacher training courses and the students of theology as a minor. The main emphasis will be placed on the origin of Israel, the periods of David and Salomon, the end of the period of state independence and the exilic and post-exilic periods.

Exegetic Lectures
There is at least one exegetic lecture in each semester. These lectures alternate between the subjects of the canon: the Torah, the Prophets and the Writings. The exegetic lectures require a knowledge of Hebrew and are mainly designed for the course of study leading up to a Diplom. In differentiation to the Introduction to the Old Testament lecture, the exegetic lectures are designed to intensify the interpretation of Old Testament books or of a work of literature. In this aspect, both the development and the theological concept of the book become noticeable. Examples will be used to point out this material because of the enormous amount of material to be covered. The following will be read regularly:

Primeval story of Genesis
Deuteronomy
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Dodekapropheton
Psalms
Job

Lecture for students of teacher training courses and students studying theology as a minor
In regular intervals, usually every second semester, a General Introduction to the Old Testament is offered:

Central Themes of the Old Testament
This lecture offers a condensed picture of Old Testament theology, anthropology and ethics according to certain central themes. The focus of attention is placed on the primeval period and the last days of the world, humankind and its environment, man and woman, pain and death, guilt and forgiveness, exodus, decalogue, violence and shalom, prophecy and wisdom. These topics are all important for the teaching of religion in schools and are a main part of knowledge gained from the Old Testament.

Seminar and workshops
The seminars are lead by the professors (Prof. Lux, Prof. Mathias, N.N.), the assistants, scholarship holders and adjunct-teachers.

Old Testament Introductory Seminar
This course is offered every semester. It deals with the training in the methods of synchronic analysis (syntax, structure, pragmatism, semantics) and with the diachronic analysis (text criticism, literary criticism, editorial criticism, form criticism, history of tradition). Proof of academic achievement will be given for an exegesis of a chosen text from the Old Testament.

Old Testament Advanced Seminar
The themes of this advanced seminar are usually concerned with the main area of work of the seminar instructor. They can also be concerned with problems of current research. The themes serve the integration of research and study.

Old Testament Fellowship
The admittance to this group requires personal application. Research projects at the Institute for Old Testament are discussed at the fellowship (projects, doctorates, habilitations).

Workshop
In this training course, the practice of reading text passages, for example from Epigraphy, the post-history of the Old Testament. There are also some introductions to the archaeology of Palestine. Leipzig is an excellent place to study the cultures surrounding Israel because it is possible to study Akkadian or Egyptology as well as Middle East Archaeology in connection with the University of Halle.

Examination course
This course deals with the reiteration of certain chosen topics taken from the History of Israel, the Theology of the Old Testament as well as certain introductory questions. Seminar papers are to be written by the course study participants and then discussed.

Study of the Bible I & II
This course deals with imparting the contents of the books of the Old Testament as well as the preparation for the examination in Bible Studies which is required in certain study course programs.

Introductory Seminar and Advanced Seminar for students of teacher training and theology minors
For those students who do not have any knowledge of Hebrew, introductory and advanced seminars are offered in alternating fashion. Topics which are relevant to certain professions will be chosen.

Teaching staff: Timotheus Arndt
Regularly held introductions and overall view in the area of Jewish studies

Each of the following is offered every 6 semesters. The events comprise two semester hours.

WiSe 2001/02 Responses Siddur in Christ. Occident
SoSe 2002 Introduction:Judaism
WiSe 2002/03 Basic concept of traditional literature Overall: History; Talmud: Mishna - Exegese: Midrash Persian-Greek period
SoSe 2003 Talmud: Gemara - Exegese: Perush Roman-Byzant. period
Compendium Annual fests. in Islam. Orient
 

Each of these series offers an overall view and a special presentation in the successive semesters:

For example, the fundamental introduction to Judaism will be held in the summer semester 2002.

Following this, there will be an introduction to Jewish traditional literature and their basic concepts. The main topic here is the Torah.

Then the introduction to the Talmud follows, divided into two semesters for Mishna and Gemara.
On the other hand, the presentation of the traditional Jewish exegeses of the Midrash and Perush take place at the same times.

The further development of the religiously centered Jewish action codex can be observed in the Halachic-Compendium and in the literature of the Responses.
 

These events can sometimes be replaced by attending exercise courses in some other particular texts or text groups.

Simultaneously, an introduction to the celebration of the annual festivities will be offered. Finally, three presentations will be held honoring the liturgical traditions: The daily prayers and Sabbath prayers in the Siddur; the "Holy Days agenda" from the Machsor and the Pilgrimage festivitiesand the High Holy Days.

The series entitled History will be introduced starting with an overall view in which the task will be analyzed and an observation will take place of the traditions of the Jewish documentation of history.

Further tentative structure follows historic phases:
the return after the Babylonian exile,
after the Persian, Greek and Roman rules,
after the destruction of the second Temple, after the Roman rule leading to the Byzantine,
with the rapid spread of Islam,
the confrontation of Islam and the Christian Occident.
The Modern period for the Jewish community begins late: after the emancipation, assimilation attempts and the resulting differences and developments in the Jewish community in Europe.

Work groups working on the Mishna and Talmud studies or any other of the texts will evolve along side the introductory presentations.

Other presentations on special topics will appear. Herein the topics of concern will be the Jewish-Christian discussion. We are hoping for interdisciplinary co-operation.

Teaching staff: Timotheus Arndt

Modern Hebrew (language course)

Semester Modern Hebrew
 

WiSe 2001/02			III	I Beginners
SoSe 2002			IV	II
WiSe 2002/3	I Beginners			III
SoSe 2003	II			IV
WiSe 2003/04	III	I Beginners
SoSe 2004	IV	II
WiSe 2004/05		III	I Beginners

The Modern Hebrew course is given in four semesters (I-IV) in 3 (or 4) semester week hours (Tuesdays 1 to 2 hours, Thursdays 2 hours). There will be a new course beginning each academic year (winter semester) so that there are always two courses running at alternate times.

These courses lead into a conversation course which is offered every semester. The basis for the discussions in this course are to be newspaper articles, radio reports and other articles which are chosen during the course.

This Hebrew course can be used in preparation to a study program in Israel.
In connection with the knowledge of the Hebrew language of the Bible, this course can improve the total knowledge of the language. Because of this, it can also allow further knowledge in the rabbinic texts.

Department: New Testament
Prof. Herzer, Prof. Böttrich, N.N.

There is an overall view lecture and an exegeses lecture each semester in New Testament. Each of these lectures are supplemented with other lectures which are chosen from special topics dealing with the academic field of the New Testament. Besides these, there are also exercise seminars and work-study seminars, plus introductory seminars and introductions to the New Testament (Bible knowledge) held every other semester.

Overall View Lecture
The topics of this lecture are: Theology of the New Testament, Introduction to the New Testament, History of early Christianity and New Testament Contemporary History.

Theology of the New Testament
Next to the pure comparative science of religion, the historical approach to the New Testament, and the analysis of texts in the study of literature there is also the fundamental question of how and if a theological entity coming from different sources can seriously be maintained and proven through witnesses. This lecture deals with the preaching of the historic Jesus, his behavior and fate, the christologic reaction of the first witnesses and the theology of Paul as a part of the process. The connection and the differences between the occurrences and the interpretation through the canonized texts will be described.

Introduction to the New Testament
The circumstances which lead to the origins of the New Testament writings - and especially the situation or rather the problems of the listeners - are of great importance when it comes to understanding the New Testament writings as well as the texts of the apostolic fathers. The purpose of this lecture is to show this in the example of the deuteroapostalic letters as well as in John’s revelations and to point out each of the individual theological profiles of these writings.

History of early Christianity
This lecture has two objectives in mind: First, the main emphasis is placed on the external shaping of the early Christians up to the beginning of the second century. The second part talks about the important themes of the internal development of the early Church (baptism, communion, offices within the church).

New Testament contemporary history
This lecture deals at first with an historical, later with a phenomenological overall view of the Jewish and Greek classical periods in which Christianity arose in order to point out the background of the complex connection between them.

Exegeses Lecture
There will be at least one exegete lecture in each semester. This will deal with a synoptic Gospel, the Gospel according to St. John, Romans, and 1. Corinthians. Knowledge of the Greek language is a pre-requisite for these lectures and it is mainly geared towards the students earning Diploms in Theology. These lectures offer a specialized form of working with the texts of the New Testament as opposed to the lectures which give an overall general view. The discussion on the individual passages will be in the main center of focus as well as the theological focus of the certain texts. The discussions of the individual texts will be exemplary. The main enter of the theological focus will be explained through individual exegeses.

Besides the above mentioned main exegeses lecture there are also exegeses lectures given on the Parables of Jesus, 2. Corinthians, Galatians, Colossians, and Ephesians.

Lecture for the Teacher Training Students and Theology Minors
Every-other semester, there will be an overall lecture given about the most important distinctive features of the four Gospels (including the Acts), as well as Paul’s letters. Knowledge of construction and contents of these writings will be presented, as well as a deeper understanding of each of the texts.

Every fourth semester a special lecture will be offered dealing with central topics of the New Testament. This lecture offers a basic New Testament knowledge for dealing with certain themes: Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, Ascension Day, Pentecost. Other topics to be discussed are: miracles in the New Testament, justification as seen out of the viewpoint of the New Testament, Christology, Anthropology and Ethics.

Seminars and workshops
In contrast to the lectures, the seminars and workshops are courses set up for joint work on Bible texts or certain chosen topics. These seminars and workshops are lead by Prof. Herzer and Prof. Böttrich and the Assistents Dr. Böhm and
Luttenberger.

Advanced seminar for New Testament
At least two seminars per semester are held in which either the discussion of a special topic in the academic field of New Testament knowledge or some current research problems are discussed.

Introductory Seminar in New Testament
This seminar is held every other semester. The exegetic steps of the historic-critical method will be introduced and put to use on particular text examples. Over and above this, hermeneutic questions will be addressed. A reference exegeses can be submitted at the end of this seminar.

Workshops
This workshop is comprised of either the writings and philological discussion of text material of the New Testament or it deals with discussions of the Bible facts on the basis of joint analysis of texts.

Examination course
This new course deals with repeating knowledge gained in previous courses in certain topics which are the center of focus in the main lectures of the New Testament.

Bible knowledge for New Testament
This course offers an introduction to the origin of the New Testament and an overall view of the important historical and theological features of the four Gospels (including Acts) and Paul’s letters. This course offers basic knowledge and help in understanding these books of the Bible which are to be read independently by each student while attending this course.

Department: Church History

Main Lecture Series
 

Title of the course:  Church History IV: Christianity, Principalities and Enlightenment (1684-1789)

Instructor: N.N.  Type of instruction: Lecture

3 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

SS 2002

Commentary:  please refer to the Lecture list  Contents:  This lecture deals with the church in a state system in Europe from the Peace of Westphalia up to the Ancien Régime (main focus: France, Austria, England, Prussia). A large portion concentrates on the religious re-awakening in the 17th and 18th centuries from Quietism and Jansenism to Puritanism and Pietism. The third major focus topic is entitled "Conflict and Crisis: The Age of Enlightenment". Both major German confessions will be touched upon under this topic

 

Title of the course: Church History V (1789-1918)

Instructor: N.N.  Type of instruction: Lecture

3 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

WS 2001/02

Commentary:  please refer to the Lecture list  Contents:  This lecture begins with the French Revolution and its consequences for Christianity and the Church. The territorial revolution of 1803 as well as the Prussian and Rhine-state reforms and their influence on the structures of the Church are also dealt with. Observations are taken from the first half of the 19th century as to the eruptions of devoutness, the Revolution of 1848/49 and the relationship which the two big denominations had to each other as well as with Judaism. Another area will be: ultra-montanism up to the Vatican I Council. Church History of the Kaiser period 1870/71-1918 will be looked at as to the "social question", arguments as to world philosophy, "mission and colonization" as well as the First World War.

 

Title of the course: Church History III: Late Middle Ages and Reformation

Type of instruction: Lecture

4 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

SS 2003

Commentary:  please refer to the Lecture list  Contents:  This lecture deals with the course of events from the time of the death of Pope Bonifatius VIII to the Book of Concord. The history of the papacy, the Councils and the German Reich as well as the development of the national states and the national churches will be looked at. Other topics are the history of theology, piety and the Renaissance (Humanists), necessities of reform and the will to reform in the church of the late Middle Ages.  One of the main topics of focus is the development of Martin Luther and the Lutheran Reformation in the context of piety, theology and politics. The reformation in Zurich and Geneva, the other movements such as the Baptist and Thomas Müntzer and the Christinization of America will be taken into consideration.

 

Title of the course: Dogma History

Type of instruction: Lecture

3 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

Commentary:  please refer to the Lecture list  Contents:  This lecture deals with the origin and the development of theology and the decisions made in the disputes with non-Christian religions, philosophies, political and church political interventions, relations between Bible messages and historical locations.

 

Title of the course: Church History I: The Early Church

Instructor: N.N.  Type of instruction: Lecture

3 semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

SS 2002

Commentary:  please refer to the Lecture list  Contents:  This lecture deals with the spread of Christianity in Imperial Rome from the end of the 1st century to the end of the 4th century (380: Edict "Cunctos populos"). This history will look at the inner aspects - community development, church organization, building of tradition, everyday life of Christians in the society of the Imperial Romans (regional differences, church politics of the Caesers, etc.). Other topics to be touched upon are the heretical and schismatic movements in the Early Church.   Note: Greek and Latin knowledge, although helpful, are not required.

 

Title of the course: Church History II: Church History of the Middle Ages

Instructor: G. Wartenberg  Type of instruction: Lecture

3 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

WS 2002/03

Commentary:  please refer to the Lecture list  Contents:  The following topics will be discussed:  Mission and Christianization of the Teutons and Slaws by Byzantium and Rome, the development of the papacy and the monastic system in the Occident, Charlemagne and the Carolingians, the Church and Society (Corpus christianum), The Development of Theology, the Constitution of the Church, Piety.

 

Title of the course: History of Theology and Dogma of the Early Church

Instructor: N.N.  Type of instruction: Lecture

3 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

WS 2001/02 SS 2003

Commentary:  please refer to the Lecture list  Contents:  This lecture deals with the gradual development of the theological discourses and the dogmatic decisions in the Early Church from the 1st and 2nd centuries to the middle of the 5th century. Starting with the events of the Kerygma in the different levels and the traditions of the New Testament stories, the theology of the "Apostolic Fathers", the Apologies, and the great early Christian theologians (Iraeneus, Clemens, Origin etc.) will be pointed out. Main topics will be the origin of the Trinity Dogma (325/81) and the Christologic Dogma (451). The "history of social welfare and society" of the theology of the Early Church will also be touched upon.  Literature: This lecture will begin with the introduction of the standard literature (in German). The participants will receive a bibliographic list.

 

Title of the course: Epochs of Church History I

Instructor: G Graf  Type of instruction: Lecture

2 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

This lecture takes place every other semester, always in the Winter Semester.

Commentary:  please refer to the Lecture list  Contents:  The lecture is an overall view of church history up to the Reformation. It is mainly geared towards the students of religious education in the teacher training program and for theology minors. Anyone interested in church history can take part in this lecture.

 

Title of the course: Epochs of Church History II

Instructor: G. Graf  Type of instruction: Lecture

1 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

This lecture takes place every other semester, always in the Summer Semester.

Commentary:  please refer to the Lecture list  Contents:  The continuation of the lecture given in the Winter Semester, begins with the outcome of the Reformation. The goal of this lecture is to establish the lines of church history up to modern times. Any one interested in this topic can participate.

 

Title of the course: Methodology in Church History

Instructor: G.Graf  Type of instruction: Introductory Seminar

2 Semester week hours

Available for:  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

This seminar takes place every other semester, always in the Sommer Semester.

Commentary:  please refer to the Lecture list  Contents:  This seminar is geared to the students of religious education in the teacher training program as well as the theology minors. An introduction will be given to the methods of writing church history. Emphasis will be given to the way sources are dealt with, from text-witness to responsible source witness, plus the influence of church history in the present period. Independent study and work are encouraged.

Ecumenical and Denominational Studies
 

Title of the course: Denominational Studies I

Instructor: H. Mai  Type of instruction: Lecture

2 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

This lecture takes place every other semester, always in the Winter Semester

Commentary:  please refer to the Lecture list  Contents:  In the beginning the lecture will deal with the question of the unity and diversity of the church. There will be 2 parts, the first dealing with the eastern church and the Roman Catholic Church under the aspects of the historical development, the ecclesiology, canon law, the church liturgy, the distinctive features of their teachings, and their responsibility in the world.

 

Title of the course: Denominational Studies II (Churches of the Reformation)

Instructor: H. Mai  Type of instruction: Lecture

2 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

This lecture takes place every other semester, always in the Sommer Semester.

Commentary:  please refer to the Lecture list  Contents:  This lecture deals with the Anglican Church, the Lutheran Church, the Reformed Church and the free denominations as to the origins, development and the emphasis in today’s world.  Note: This lecture is essential for teachers of Ethics.

 

Title of the course: Christian Religious Communities

Instructor: H. Mai  Type of instruction: Main Seminar

2 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

This seminar takes place every fourth semester, during the Sommer Semester

Commentary:  please refer to the Lecture list  Contents:  Christian denominations developed alongside the main state church during the 19th century and in the first part of the 20th century in England, America and Germany. Some great religious personalities who, on the horizon of eschatological expectations, had apostolic and prophetic abilities developed alternatives to the existing social and religious circumstances. Even today many people who desire religious ascertainment, are drawn to these denominations. Papers will be presented by individual students dealing with the history, teachings and life-styles of the different religious communities of Germany and its neighboring countries such as the Catholic-Apostolic Church, the New-Apostolic Church, smaller apostolic churches, Seventh Day Adventists, Mormons, Jehovah’s Witnesses, The Anthroposohic Church, John’s Church, Shepherd and Sheep, Lorenzians. Other topics for papers may be offered with prior notification.

Christian Archaeology and Church Art
 

Title of the course:  European Church Structures from the Late Antiquity to the end of the Middle Ages

Instructor: H. Mai  Type of instruction: Lecture

2 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

This seminar takes place every fourth semester, during the Winter Semester

Commentary:  please refer to the Lecture list  Contents:  This lecture deals with an overall history of European church structures in three divisions: Early Christian and Byzantine church structures, Pre-Romanesque and Romanesque church structures, and Gothic church structures. Beginning with the architectural, liturgical and iconological forms of the Early Christian period, the special developments in eastern and western Europe up to the end of the Middle Ages will be dealt with. This lecture is the basis and guideline for other courses offered on special fields.

Department:Systematic Theology

Main Lecture Series
 

Titel of the course: Introduction to the Study of Theology

Teaching Staff: G. Schneider  Type of course: lecture

2 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

This course takes place every other semester, always in the Winter Semester.

Comments:  please refer to the list of courses or the text:  Contents:  This lecture introduces beginners to the study of theology and to the requirements and understanding of this subject. The perception of special responsibilities in this field are also introduced.  Note: This lecture will be held on a 2-hour basis for half the semester time.

 

Titel of the course: Ethics II

Teaching Staff: M. Petzoldt  Type of course: Lecture

3 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

SS 2002

Comments:  please refer to the list of courses or the text:  Contents:  This lecture deals with ethical reflection and decision-making in the classical areas of: marriage and family, society and state, workplace and economy. These topics have gained current tasks through different developments (partnership, question of power and violence). They will dealt with. Besides this the lecture will deal with often neglected subjects: friendship and free-time, health and illness, the political role of the church.

 

Titel of the course: Dogmatics I

Teaching Staff: M. Petzoldt  Type of course: lecture

3 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

WS 2002/03

Comments:  please refer to the list of courses or the text:  Contents:  The traditional prolegomena to this topic wish to substantiate dogmatic thinking. Due to the conditions of the end of the 20th century, the question of the basic request for the explanation of Christian faith became important. The topics "theology", "Bibel", and "Humankind" ennoble us to deal with technology, industry and economy and thus will supply the basis for the courses in Dogmatics II and III.

 

Titel of the course: Theology and Secularization, History of Theology I

Teaching Staff: M.G. Petzoldt  Type of course: lecture

3 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

WS 2002/03

Comments:  please refer to the list of courses or the text:  Contents:  This lecture, which is both theology-historical and thematic, will deal with the concept of "secularization" which is a much discussed word in today’s theology, philosophy and religious sociology. The lecture will pick up this concept and establish its relevance in the theological development of the last centuries. Part I of this lecture discusses the problems of secularization up to the theology of reformation and follows the history of theology into the 19th century.

 
 

Title of the course: Secularization and Theology - History of Theology II

Teaching Staff: M.G. Petzoldt  Type of course: lecture

4 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

SS 2003

Comments: please refer to the list of courses or the text:  Contents:  This lecture, which is both theology-historical and thematic, will deal with the concept of "secularization" which is a much discussed word in today’s theology, philosophy and religious sociology. The lecture will pick up this concept and establish its relevance in the theological development of the last centuries. Part I of this lecture (WS 2002/03) discusses the problems of secularization up to the theology of reformation and follows the history of theology within the 19th century. Part II of the lecture takes up at the end of the 19th century and runs till the present period. A discussion on secularization will round off this lecture.

 

Title of the course: Luthers Theology

Teaching Staff: M. Petzoldt  Type of course: lecture

2 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

SS 2002

Comments:  please refer to the list of courses or the text:  Contents:  The task of dealing with Luther’s theology has many historical and hermeneutic problems: How can his theology be presented when Luther himself never had an outline for it? Where can a person begin to deal with it today, when we realize that Luther’s theologizing was determined by challenges of that time? And finally, is it possible to develop a systematics to this theologizing, in which these strong prevailing circumstances are no longer taken into consideration? Luther’s lecture on the Letters to the Galatians in 1531 is used here as a systematic theological guideline and presents the main ideas of his theology and earlier and later variations of such. It is said that this lecture is the sum of the theology of the mature Luther.

 

Title of the course: Accountablity over the Christian Faith (Fundamental Theology I)

Teaching Staff: M. G. Petzoldt  Type of course: lecture

3 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

every fourth semester in the winter semester

Comments:  please refer to the list of courses or the text:  Contents:  Fundamental theology is always concerned with asking about the background of faith itself. This means we must first explain what faith is. Other problems arise with this question: Faith and Religion, Faith and Theology, Background of Faith, its records (the Bible), the possibilities of understanding and the art of understanding (Hermeneutics).

 

Title of the course: Theology as a Science (Fundamental Theology II)

Teaching Staff: M. G. Petzoldt  Type of course: lecture

3 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

Comments:  please refer to the list of courses or the text:  Contents:  Fundamental Theology II discusses questions of the theological debates on religious criticism and atheism, the understanding of truth, seeing theology as a science in the context of the accademic-theoretical discussions, the entirety of the theological academic science as seen in the variety of its discipline and fundamental theology as a discipline of systematic theology.

Department of Practical Theology

 Schedule of Main Lectures:
 

Term	N.N.	Ratzmann
WS 03/04	Social Welfare Work	Church Ceremonies
SS 04	Pastoral Theology	The Ecclesiastical Year
WS 04/05	Pastoral Care I	Homiletics
SS 05	Pastoral Care II	Liturgics

Seminars:
 

Homiletics Seminar (every semester) Catechism Seminar (every semester) Pastoral Care Seminar (every summer semester) Practical Theology Introductory Seminar (every semester) Practice Oriented Workshops (every semester)

Description:
 

Title of the course: Homiletics

Teaching Staff: alternately N.N./W.Ratzmann  Type of course: lecture

3 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

Contents:  This lecture deals with the fundamental question of teachings of sermons. The following will be discussed: conditions of preaching today, the sermon and God’s word, the sermon in history, the sermon as an art of communication, the sermon and its listeners, making a text accessible, methods and sermon structuring. The lecture offers fundamental knowledge in homiletics, contributes to the development of an appropriate consciousness of problems, passes on suggestions for a responsible practice with sermons.

 
 

Title of the course: Community Structure

Teaching Staff: alternately N.N./W. Ratzmann  Type of course: lecture

3 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

Comments:  Community Structure  Contents:  The present period of time questions the Church community in our country as no other time period ever has. Differing experiences of Christianity in East and West, the increasing of-christianization and secularization of our society and an abundance of differently accentuated community concepts point out the problems of the teaching of community structure. This lecture deals with the question of the form and the task of the community today. Different fundamental concepts of church communities and church work will be explained as well as practical steps towards structuring a church community.

 

Tittle of the course: Liturgics

Teaching Staff: alternately N.N./W. Ratzmann  Type of course: lecture

3 Semester week hours

Available for:  Studies for a Diplom  Students with a Theology Minor

Contents:  This lecture deals with the important problems of the theory of church worship services and their structures as well as the subject matter up for examinations in the field of liturgics. The history of origin and development of worship services will be presented from its beginnings to the present day. Along with this the theological and human-scientific approaches will be studied. These are important factors in the understanding of worship services , its structures and forms. An important goal of this lecture is to find a criteria for a responsible way of dealing with the traditional liturgics which allows for the possibilities and challenges of today’s world.

 

Title of the course: Christian Education

Teaching Staff: W. Ratzmann  Type of course: lecture

3 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (minor studies)

Comments:  Christian Education  Contents:  This practical theological lecture deals with the development of fundamental theological as well as pedagogical practices in the service of the community. (In view of other religious education courses, this course will offer only a small sample of the possibilities.) The second half of this course deals with the problems, conditions and concepts in the work with children, confirmation classes, and youth groups within the church on a more detailed basis. Questions which have arisen as to the relationship of religious education in schools and the church’s Christenlehre will be dealt with. The dealings of the church’s youth programs which, are sometimes forgotten in the study of theology, will also be taken up.

 

Title of the course: Catechism seminar

Teaching Staff: W. Ratzmann  Type of course: main seminar

2 Semester week hours

Available for: Studies for a Diplom

Comments:  Catechism seminar  Contents:  Together with ministers and catechists from Leipzig, this seminar will offer opportunities to view different areas of church work: Christenlehre (work in church service with young children), confirmation class, young peoples’ groups (Junge Gemeinde). The participants in this seminar will decide on a certain field of service during the seminar. The student will then participate in this particular field, sit in on the groups activities, develop material and lead the group. Requirement for the participation in this seminar is the attendance of a previous introduction seminar in practical theology. It is desired that the participants have already taken part in the lectures held on Christian Education and Planning a teaching lesson (Religious Education).  Note: The time requirement for this seminar will be more than the 2 semester week hours, due to the attendance of the group sessions.

 

Title of the course: Homiletics seminar

Teaching Staff: alternately N.N./N.N. or W. Ratzmann/B. Naumann  Type of course: main seminar

6 Semester week hours and Sundays

Available for: Studies for a Diplom

Comments:  Homiletics seminar  Contents:  This seminar deals with preparing sermons. Each student will prepare and deliver a sermon in one of the communities in Leipzig. The steps that will be covered in this seminar include: working on a certain passage within the group, discussion of the sermon draft, structure of the worship service using seminar students, discussion with the worshipers. Over and above the necessary hours spent in this seminar, the students will be expected to attend the Sunday worship services, 8-10 Sundays.

 

Title of the course: Fundamental Questions of Pastoral Care (Pastoral Care I)

Teaching Staff: N.N.  Type of course: lecture

3 Semester week hours

Available for:  Studies for a Diplom  Students in the teacher training program  Students with a Theology Major  Students with a Theology Minor

Comments:  Fundamental Questions of Pastoral Care  Content:  What are the chances and possibilities of pastoral care in the present church and society? Keeping this question in mind this lecture will deal with the theological and humanitarian basis of pastoral care in the church, based upon a pastoral psychological background. Special topics will be: Biblical and historical aspects of pastoral care, the understanding of the human being in pastoral care and psychotherapy, fundamental mental and spiritual problems of humankind, the methodology of clinical communication, counseling organizational and legal questions of pastoral care, qualification for pastoral care.

 

Title of the course: Pastoral Care in special situations (Pastoral Care II)

Teaching Staff: N.N.  Type of course: lecture

3 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

Comments:  Pastoral Care in Special Situations (Pastoral Care II)  Contents:  This lecture deals with specific problems in pastoral care within the community. The following problems will be discussed: pastoral care with the ill, pastoral care in death and dying, crisis intervention including social unrest, pastoral care with the aged, pastoral care in marriage counseling, pastoral care in suicide cases. Each of these specific problems will be dealt with from a psychological and a theological standpoint. Upon this background a basis can be achieved to work towards good counseling.

other lectures:
 

Title of the course: Baptism, Marriage Ceremonies and Funerals (church ceremonies)

Teaching Staff: alternately W. Ratzmann/N.N.  Type of course: lecture

2 Semester week hours

Available for  Studies for the Diplom  Teacher Training Studies in Religious Education  Magister examination (major studies)  Magister examination (minor studies)

Contents:  The church has had a part in people’s lives for a long time in performing things such as baptisms, weddings and funerals, all of these are part of an official ceremonial duty of ministers. This lecture deals with historical, academic and theological questions arising to this topic in order to reach one’s own decision on this matter. Beyond this, the lecture attempts to attain practical consequences for the pastoral service and homiletic and liturgic service of a minister.  Note: Also available to senior citizens study program.

 

Title of the course: Church Science

Teaching Staff: W. Ratzmann  Type of course: Exercise course

2 Semester week hours

Available for: Students of church music

Comments:  Church Science  Contents:  Fundamental conditions of church life (state-church legal conditions, Churches and other denominations in Germany, initial stages of community structure, vocations within the church) will be presented in view of their historical background and their meaning today. This course is geared mainly for the students majoring in church music and will be held in the College for music and theater.

Department: Religious Education
Prof. Dr. Helmut Hanisch, Dr. Christoph Gramzow

Lectures:
Alternately two lectures are offered in religious education. One lecture deals with the planning and designing religious education lessons. Didactic concepts are developed and put into practice. The objective of this lecture is to help students to understand different concepts of teaching religious education and to make them sensitive for the theoretical implication of the subject. The second lecture deals with theories of religious development. New results of research in religious psychology are presented. This knowledge helps the understanding of religious development within different phases of life and to draw didactic consequences for classroom instruction.

Seminars:
There are seminars for teacher training in the classroom offered each semester. The objective of these seminars is to apply the knowledge gained from the above mentioned lectures in regard to different age groups and school types. Under the help of the instructor students plan and conduct classroom lessons.

Introductory Seminars:
Introductory seminars are held regularly. Their objective is to introduce the students to the teaching of religious education in our schools. The focus of these seminars are the mediation and application of concepts to observe and analyze teaching processes.