DON BOSCO BUILDER: INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS resumes the story of the life and times of St. John Bosco (1815-1888) from 1875 to his death, with particular attention to social and political situations in place after the unification of Italy and the passing of the dramatis personae of the liberal revolution. Topics: development and organization of the Salesian Society; expansion of Salesian education in Europe and Latin America; development of permanent structures to guarantee the continuance of the Salesian apostolate; the founder's basic insights especially as they emerge in his writings. Lecture; reflection papers. [Faculty permission required; Auditors excluded]
Credits: 3.0
Start Date 04 February 2008 End Date 23 May 2008.

Starting from an increasingly large literary output on "Religious Experience and Young People," this course seeks to enter the world of contemporary young people, allowing them to speak for themselves and to articulate their own ideas and sentiments in the area of faith, religiosity, morality, church, and world. In addition to comparing the writings of teenagers on these subjects and more, you will, in one component of the course, meet and interact with a group of culturally, racially and religiously diverse teens. The goal is better dialogue with today's young people in areas that matter most to them. Format: Seminar. Evaluation: Reflection papers/ group work/class presentation.
Credits: 3.00.
Start Date 04 February 2008 End Date 23 May 2008.

ISS students register in DSPT for full-time equivalency status. Those who wish to pursue an MA in theology may do so; they are admitted to the MA program by DSPT, and their ISS credit courses apply toward their degree.

Academic prerequisites for ISS participants pursuing advanced degrees include a command of the English language and a basic theological or religious studies background. Since course work is given at a seminar and graduate level, students are required to have the equivalent of a university degree or a diploma certifying past experience in higher education.

DSPT awards the Certificate of Theological Studies to ISS students who have completed twelve hours of graduate study in theology for personal enrichment. Academic credit is given for completed courses (which may later be applied to a degree program by determination of the Admissions Committee).

ISS students wishing to pursue an advanced degree in theology apply for admission to a degree program at DSPT. There are two options. The Master of Arts in Theology (Option I) is a research-oriented two–year degree in theological studies, accenting the theological tradition of DSPT, requiring both a foreign language and a Master’s thesis. ISS courses apply as a specialization in spirituality. Students completing this program often teach or pursue doctoral studies, including those of the GTU.

The Master of Arts in Theology (Option II) is a two–year program designed to encompass a wide range of theological topics. Students choose an area of specialization, often with a pastoral orientation. The program culminates in a special project, a series of essays, a thesis, or perhaps a theological reflection paper. Students may use this program to gain the theological breadth and depth to help prepare for pastoral ministry. The Salesian emphasis on youth ministry fits neatly with this option.

Berkeley English Academy (BEA) is located in downtown Berkeley (2161 Shattuck Avenue, Suite 313) – a 10-minute walk from Don Bosco Hall. Classes are offered from Monday through Thursday, beginning at 9:00a.m. and lasting until 2:30p.m.

BEA structures its courses along 7 levels of instruction: low beginning; high beginning; low intermediate; middle intermediate; high intermediate; low advanced; high advanced. The emphasis of the English program is on comprehension and conversational skills. For this reason, the working groups are kept small: 14 is the maximum number of students in each class. Progress in comprehension and speaking skills are evaluated daily, and classes are reconfigured every Monday in response to the needs and progress of each student.

Students who enroll in BEA pay a one-time registration fee, and a monthly tuition. Depending on one’s entry-level competence in English, normally 6 to 8 weeks of instruction are adequate to give students a good working knowledge of the language for class work at the GTU.

Courses offered during the summer at GTU are part of a cooperative venture of GTU member schools. These summer classes are designed as one-week sessions, beginning in mid-June and ending in mid-August, and include offerings in the arts, biblical studies, ethics, history, pastoral theology, preaching, spirituality, and theology.