June 30 – July 11, 2025
This event has been cancelled. Please contact lifelonglearning@ctsnet.edu if you have any questions.
Course Description
The Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations (PMUN) in New York City, the PC(USA)'s Office of Public Witness (OPW) in Washington, D.C., and Columbia Theological Seminary regularly offer a travel seminar on a topic of importance for the world and its faith communities. This year the course will examine Christian Nationalism and the Church in the Trump Era.
This travel seminar in Washington, D.C., and New York City will examine the drivers and impacts of contemporary forms of Christian nationalism, exploring theological and moral resources for engaging the concerns it raises by, in part, shaping a more robust vision of the Church in the world. Along the way students will have the opportunity to meet with United Nations staff, diplomats, NGO personnel, and their own congressional representatives.
Christian nationalism—the ideal that Christian values and commitments should play dominating roles in a country's social and political life—has been a growing force not only in the United States but around the world. It exists as a challenge not only to the modern secular structures upon which much of global society is based but to the Church.
Space is limited for this travel seminar. If space becomes available to participants who are not enrolled in a degree program at CTS, you will be automatically registered based on your place in line and the number of spots available. Your program fee will be due five business days after your acceptance.
Location and Schedule
The course will meet in Washington, D.C., at the OPW for one week, and in New York City at the PMUN the following week. Participants will spend five days (June 30 – July 4) in Washington, D.C., and five days (July 7-11) in NYC.
Seminar Leaders
Dr. Mark Douglas, J. Erskine Love Professor of Christian Ethics, Columbia Theological Seminary
Sue Rheem, Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations, New York City
Jimmie Hawkins, Office of Public Witness of the PC(USA), Washington, D.C.
Catherine Gordon, Office of Public Witness of the PC(USA), Washington, D.C.
Program Fee
The program fee for this travel seminar is $500 for participants registering through the Center for Lifelong Learning. Program fee is due upon registration.
Travel, Accommodations, and Meals
Participants are responsible financially for their travel (including between Washington, D.C., and NYC,) housing, and most meals. We will work with registrants to secure convenient and affordable housing. In previous years, housing costs have been about $75 per night for a shared room, and $150 per night for a single room.
