Travel Opportunities for United Students, Alums, and Guests

United's Commitment to Global Education

Recognizing that we live in an increasingly globalized world, United is committed to the global awareness and engagement of its students. One way it fulfills this commitment is the requirement that each student take an immersion course in global justice.

These courses make a significant impact on students' awareness of issues surrounding economic justice and globalization, and participants indicate a growth in their awareness of local and worldwide diversity. These courses also help equip students to engage issues of global interconnectedness and interdependence as related to the church's mission, as well as preparing them to meet the multicultural leadership needs they might encounter in their work after seminary.

Do I have to be a United student to attend?

Trips are open to alums, friends, family and the wider community. All trip participants must be students and register for the course, either as an auditor or for credit. Alums of United or other trip participants who have a seminary degree may use our Continuing Education Audit Registration form to register for the course. Other trip participants must apply and be admitted as non-degree students and register for the course via our standard registration process.

For more information, contact Michelle Rodriguez in the admissions office, 651.255.6119.

I'm a United student. What are my options for fulfilling the Global Justice Requirement?

• Each academic year, United faculty lead two international global immersion trips which fulfill the requirement.
• Every other year, a global immersion course is offered in the Twin Cities area.
• Some students opt to take an independent study course to fulfill the requirement.

For more information on the requirement and fulfillment options, contact the registrar, Susan Hastings, 651.255.6120.

Global Justice Trips in 2013

• Global Justice Trip to South Africa (CS732, January)
• Global Justice Trip to Philippines (CS730, June)

Other Trips in 2013

• Iona Pilgrimage (this is not a global justice trip or for credit)

Trips Offered in the Past

• Globalization on Our Doorstep
• Palestine-Israel Global Justice Trip
• Global Justice Trip to Chiapas, Mexico

CS732 Global Justice Trip to South Africa
January 4-24, 2013

A three-week trip to Cape Town, South Africa, for January term 2013 with Professor Chris Smith, Professor Kim Vrudny - a United alum and professor at the University of St. Thomas, and Richard Cogill as consultants.

Course description

The estimated price: $5,500 (with 17 participants)
Fee inclusive of airfare and all trip expenses including meals. Initial deposit of $200 is required to reserve your place.

Following the initial deposit of $200, the payment schedule is:
August 1, 2012 - $2,300
October 1, 2012 - $1,700
December 1, 2012 - $1,500
This price does not include course tuition.

Theme: Theological Reflection: AIDS, Apartheid, and the Arts of Resistance
The course will be offered through United.

Through analysis of works of artistic resistance, students in this course will examine the interrelationships between two catastrophes of the modern era in South Africa: Apartheid and AIDS. Students will approach works of art with theological lenses to explore such themes as lament, imago Dei, prophecy, theodicy, justice/charity, memory, storytelling, covenant, forgiveness/reconciliation, and hope. Artistic examples will be drawn from the visual arts (both “fine-” and “folk-“ styles), music, literature (novel and poetry), and film. Students will learn about the arts of resistance through guest presentations and through tours of selected sites in Cape Town and its surrounding townships. The course is recommended for the Leadership Toward Racial Justice and Justice and Peace Studies concentrations and for Theology and the Arts degree students. This trip is for United students, but we always welcome guests.

If interested, please contact:
Chris Smith
Professor of Preaching
csmith@unitedseminary.edu
651.255.6128

CS730 Global Justice Trip to the Philippines
June 10-24, 2013

This trip offers participants an opportunity to broaden their understanding of our global realities as well as deepen their commitment to greater well-being in the context of our highly globalized world. In particular, participants will be offered the privilege to live with the Filipino people, listen to their stories, learn about people’s movements, share their faith and hopes, engage in dialogue about global issues, and explore ways of global solidarity. Moreover, participants will be exposed to the life and ministry of churches in the Philippines, and they will have the opportunity to explore or strengthen church partnerships.

Course Description

Cost: $3,199.00
This includes air fare, lodging, meals, transportation in the Philippines, honoraria, and other expenses directly related to the partnership/immersion trip.

The schedule payment is:
November 31, 2012 - $200
January 15, 2013 - $1,000
March 15, 2013 - $1,000
April 15, 2013 - $999

For students:
This does not include tuition fee.

Non-students:
This does not include registration or auditor fees. Non-students should be aware that the trip is an academic course, and participants benefit from and are expected to complete readings and share in discussions led by faculty and guest speakers.

Note: Price is based on the airfare cost of $1,800 (summer peak season price) and a minimum of 10 participants.

If interested, please contact:
Eleazar S. Fernandez
Professor of Constructive Theology
efernandez@unitedseminary.edu
651.255.6131

Iona Pilgrimage*
October 4-12, 2013

Thank your so much for your vibrant interest in the Pilgrimage to Scotland and the Isle of Iona. We are excited that registrations for the pilgrimage are coming in. We also want to let you know that the deadline for registering is fast approaching. The official deadline is Friday, February 22, but we will be accepting registrations through next week. If you would like to attend and are facing financial challenges, a payment plan can be worked out. Please speak to any of us. If you are student, see Martha about possible financial assistance.

If you intend to register for the pilgrimage but for some reason are unable to get the form and deposit to CrossingBorders by this Friday, February 22, please contact Lori Moline at CrossingBorders to make arrangements. She would like to take your participation into account as she manages the Iona hotel reservations. Contact Lori at 952.995.9585 or info@crossingboarders.com.

Click here for the pilgrimage brochure and registration form. Please feel free to share this with others who may be interested in the pilgrimage.

We continue to work on the pilgrimage programming and are so excited to share this sacred journey with you.

Blessings,

Martha Postlethwaite, 651.633.4311, mpostlethwaite@unitedseminary.edu 
Ramona Scarpace, 612.201.6634, Rscarpace@comcast.net 

*This is not a global justice trip nor is it for credit or attached to any United course.

Trips offered in the past

Palestine-Israel Global Justice Trip
June 18-July 2, 2012

Co-leaders:
Dr. Eleazar S. Fernandez, professor of constructive theology
Dr. Peter Makari, area executive, Middle East and Europe, Global Ministries

The Palestine-Israel Travel Seminar was an expression of the church’s commitment to the formation of seminary students, clergy, and lay leaders who embody a greater understanding of our global realities, the interconnections of our lives, and the mission of the global church. The trip provided an opportunity for participants to see closely the Israeli-Palestinian context and listen to people’s stories of survival, struggle, and hopes. Part of the trip was engaging in conversations with individuals who have devoted themselves to the ministry of dialogue and peace-building. Moreover, there were opportunities to visit holy sites that are central to the major religious faiths in the area.

CS746 Globalization on Our Doorstep
Summer 2012

Course description

Chiapas Global Justice Trip
January 16-26, 2012

Faculty Trip Leader: Chris Smith
Assistant Leader: Don Christensen
In-country Trip Leader: Teresa Ortiz, a Twin Cities Mexican educator who lived and worked in Chiapas

Description: This trip focused on the southern most state of Mexico - Chiapas. During our time in Chiapas we visited co-operatives, ecological projects, and religious communities, worshiped in Acteal with Las Abejas, and spent time with some of the Zapatista leaders. We experienced the pervasive strength of Mayan indigenous culture and spirituality, and we met individuals and communities working for change and liberation, including:
1. The ongoing struggle for autonomy and liberation of the Zapatistas
2. The active non-violence strategies of Las Abejas
3. The Liberation Theology influence of Bishop Samuel Ruiz who served the Diocese of San Cristobal for over 30 years.