Asian/Asian American and Pacific Islander Church Studies
The Asian/Asian American and Pacific Islander Church Studies Program (AAPICS) provides resources for Brite students to learn about the history, culture, and theology of Asian and Asian-American Christianity. This is done through regularly offered courses on the subjects and lectures offered by visiting scholars and church leaders in Asian/Asian-American communities. The program also serves as a center for promoting Asian/Asian-American theological studies and training leaders for Asian-American churches (especially those affiliated with the Christian Church [Disciples of Christ]).
Black Church Studies
Black Church Studies is an academic field that espouses linking divine justice and social justice in the development of excellence and leadership in the academy, church and community. The mission of the Black Church Studies program (BCS) at Brite Divinity School to provide an excellent teaching-learning context for shaping ministerial preparation and theological reflection for seminarians of all races and backgrounds. Our vision is for future church leaders and scholars to gain wider knowledge about, deeper appreciation of, and increased sensitivity for the Black Church within American society by emphasizing its teachings of freedom, justice, and equality.
Borderlands Institute
The Borderlands Institute aims to bring border awareness issues to students, faculty, and religious and community leaders in ways that will effectively shape their respective ministerial work and/or research. Students will have the opportunity to travel to the U.S./Mexico border to learn about border related issues. The Borderlands Institute host a variety of events featuring scholars and religious and community leaders to critically reflecting on borderlands topics, such as immigration, the environment, and human trafficking.
The Borderlands Institute is funded by the Henry Luce Foundation for Theology.
Carpenter Initiative on Gender, Sexuality, and Justice
The Carpenter Initiative on Gender, Sexuality, and Justice promotes conversations about healthy sexuality, enhances ministries with diverse communities that include bisexual, transgender, lesbian, and gay persons, and provides sanctuary and encouragement for ongoing dialogue and justice-oriented practice. The three areas include: 1) events for Brite’s community of students, staff, and faculty; 2) public opportunities for constituencies beyond Brite as well as for the Brite community; and 3) courses for our students in multiple degree programs.
Jewish Studies Program
The Jewish Studies Program supports regular course offerings in the literature and history of Second Temple Judaism, contributes to educational opportunities in the local community, and fosters interfaith dialogue rooted in a better understanding of Judaism and Christianity.
The Latina/o/x Church Studies Program
The Latina/o/x Church Studies Program is dedicated to the study of the religious and theological experiences of Latina/os communities in the U.S. The Program prepares all students who are interested in learning more about Latina/os for future service to the religious Latina/o/x community. Latina/o Church Studies is an interdisciplinary theological program examining a variety of topics, which include, but are not limited to: the varied histories of Latina/os, the racialization and ethnicization of Latina/os, and the formation and relations of gender, sexuality, and sexual orientation of Latina/o/x persons.