Graduate Theological Union

Graduate Theological Union
source
Name	Graduate Theological Union
City	Berkeley
State	California
Country	United States

Graduate Theological Union is a consortium of eight private independent theological seminaries and ten research centers and institutes in Berkeley, California, United States. The institution is affiliated with the University of California, Berkeley and offers interfaith and ecumenical programs, including Master of Arts, Master of Divinity, and Doctor of Philosophy degrees, in collaboration with Pacific School of Religion, Church Divinity School of the Pacific, San Francisco Theological Seminary, and Starr King School for the Ministry. The Graduate Theological Union is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, and is a member of the American Theological Library Association and the Council of Graduate Schools.

● History

The Graduate Theological Union was founded in 1962 by John Dillenberger, Lewis Mudge, and other theologians and scholars from Pacific School of Religion, Church Divinity School of the Pacific, and San Francisco Theological Seminary, with the goal of creating a consortium of theological seminaries that would provide a interfaith and ecumenical approach to theological education. The institution has since grown to include eight member schools, including Starr King School for the Ministry, American Baptist Seminary of the West, and Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, and has established partnerships with University of California, Berkeley, Stanford University, and University of San Francisco. The Graduate Theological Union has also been influenced by the work of Paul Tillich, Rudolf Bultmann, and Karl Barth, and has hosted lectures and conferences featuring scholars such as Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, James Cone, and Rosemary Radford Ruether.

● Academics

The Graduate Theological Union offers a range of academic programs, including Master of Arts and Master of Divinity degrees, as well as Doctor of Philosophy and Doctor of Theology degrees, in fields such as biblical studies, historical theology, systematic theology, and practical theology. The institution is also home to a number of research centers and institutes, including the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences, the Institute of Buddhist Studies, and the Richard S. Dinner Center for Jewish Studies, which offer certificates and diplomas in specialized areas of study. Students at the Graduate Theological Union have access to a wide range of resources, including the Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, which is one of the largest theological libraries in the United States, and the University of California, Berkeley library system, which includes the Doe Memorial Library and the Bancroft Library.

● Member Schools

The Graduate Theological Union is a consortium of eight private independent theological seminaries, including Pacific School of Religion, Church Divinity School of the Pacific, San Francisco Theological Seminary, Starr King School for the Ministry, American Baptist Seminary of the West, Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology, Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University, and Institute of Buddhist Studies. Each member school has its own faculty and curriculum, but students at the Graduate Theological Union can take courses and workshops at any of the member schools, and can also participate in joint degree programs with University of California, Berkeley and other institutions. The member schools of the Graduate Theological Union are accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Association of Theological Schools in the United States and Canada, and are members of the American Theological Library Association and the Council of Graduate Schools.

● Research Centers

The Graduate Theological Union is home to a number of research centers and institutes, including the Center for Theology and the Natural Sciences, the Institute of Buddhist Studies, the Richard S. Dinner Center for Jewish Studies, and the Center for Islamic Studies. These research centers offer certificates and diplomas in specialized areas of study, and provide resources and support for scholars and students working in these fields. The research centers at the Graduate Theological Union have hosted conferences and lectures featuring scholars such as Elisabeth Schüssler Fiorenza, James Cone, and Rosemary Radford Ruether, and have published books and journals on topics such as theology and science, Buddhist studies, and Jewish studies.

● Campus and Facilities

The Graduate Theological Union is located in Berkeley, California, and its campus includes a number of buildings and facilities, including the Flora Lamson Hewlett Library, the D'Autremont Hall, and the Pacific School of Religion building. The institution also has partnerships with University of California, Berkeley and other institutions in the Bay Area, which provide access to a wide range of resources and facilities, including the Doe Memorial Library and the Bancroft Library. The Graduate Theological Union is also close to a number of cultural and religious institutions, including the University of California, Berkeley Museum of Paleontology, the Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive, and the Islamic Cultural Center of Northern California.

● Student Life

The Graduate Theological Union has a diverse student body from a wide range of religious traditions and cultural backgrounds, including Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. Students at the Graduate Theological Union can participate in a number of student organizations and activities, including the Graduate Theological Union Student Association, the Pacific School of Religion Student Council, and the Church Divinity School of the Pacific Student Association. The institution also offers a range of support services, including academic advising, career counseling, and mental health counseling, and has a number of partnerships with local churches and faith communities, including the Episcopal Church, the Presbyterian Church (USA), and the United Methodist Church. Category:Seminary