M.Div. Emphasis – Writing
Quaker history is rich in the written word. Friends history spans a number of remarkable fiction and non-fiction writers, essayists and poets. Although writing is not a typical field of study in seminaries, the role of writing as public ministry among Friends and other faith traditions makes it a worthy and important field of study.
The writing emphasis hones both your writing skills in multiple genres and develops your understandings of writing as public ministry. You will study both Friends writings as well as authors from other religious traditions and the secular world.
ABOUT THE WRITING EMPHASIS
Courses in this emphasis include Writing as Ministry; Writing the Story; Literary Non-Fiction; Creative Non-Fiction; Writing for Publication, and rotating courses devoted to other genres.
Students, prospective students and those interested in a ministry of writing should plan to attend the next Ministry of Writing Colloquium. The colloquium will bring together storytellers, poets, theologians and activists to explore a creative vision of ministry in community.
Recent and upcoming Writing courses
| Year | Semester | Course Number | Course Name | Course Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Fall | T 230 | Survey of Christian Poetry | Residential and blended |
| 2020 | Fall | WR 220-O | Writing the Story | Online |
| 2020 | Fall | WR 215 | Integrated Theopoetics and Writing | Residential and blended |
| 2020 | August | WR 230-T | Creative Nonfiction | Two-week intensive |
| 2020 | Spring | WR 350 | Writing Seminar | Residential and blended |
| 2020 | Spring | WR 270 | Applied Storytelling | Residential and blended |
| 2020 | Spring | WR 245-O | Digital Genres | Online |
| 2020 | January | WR 370-T | Prayer and Spirituality Writing | Two-week intensive |
Our faculty
Earlham School of Religion teaching faculty create collaborative learning environments where students are engaged and challenged to think deeply and critically about matters of faith, theology and religious practice.
Next steps
Ministry isn’t just a vocation or a calling—it’s a way of being in this world, seeking to make it whole. ESR is ready to support you in answering your own call to ministry, whatever shape it takes.