Certificate Program
The course of study for the certificate in Christian Anthropology is designed to equip lay leaders with the information and pedagogy to incorporate the anthropology of Theology of the Body in their ministries.
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Each course is 20 contact hours. If offered in person, courses can be divided up over summers or spread out throughout the year.
The Process
The certificate course of study consists of five courses and is based on Theology of the Body.
Courses 1 & 2 (in this order) are pre-requisites to 3,4, & 5.
These are completed first.
Course 1:
Christian Anthropology in Theology of the Body
​This course introduces the student to the anthropology of the human person in light of the Christian perspective as it is articulated by St. John Paul II in Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body. Grounded in four foundational principles - body-soul integration, Christological anthropology, human nature, and hermeneutic of gift – it will examen John Paul II’s exegesis of sacred scripture in his three-part analysis as it reveals the complete vision of the human person from an anthropological viewpoint. The course seeks to answer questions such as: What is the nature of the human person? What is his identity? What is the meaning of human embodiment?
Course 2:
Christian Anthropology & Vocations
The goal of this course is to examen how the anthropology set forth in Man and Woman He Created Them: A Theology of the Body applies to the vocations of marriage and celibacy. It will explore the complementarity between the celibate vocations and the vocation of marriage, the sacramentality of marriage, the spousal meaning of the body as the foundation of both vocations and the necessity of both vocations from an anthropological perspective.
Next, courses 3, 4, & 5 can be taken in any order after courses 1 & 2 are completed.
Course 3:
Christian Anthropology & Contemporary Moral Issues
This course analyzes the implications of Christian anthropology as it applies to common moral dilemmas in current culture, including contraception, reproductive technologies, pornography, and same-sex attraction. Students familiarize themselves with these contemporary concerns, thoroughly analyze Catholic teaching, and reflect on responding to these dilemmas with compassion and truth in their relationships and ministries.
Course 4:
Christian Anthropology & Gender Identity
This course will survey the development of gender theory beginning with theories of sex polarity & sex unity as they were articulated by Aristotle and Plato, respectively, and the development of thought underlying the aspects of feminism that has lent to current cultural understandings of gender. Students will compare underlying anthropologies of gender theory with Christian anthropology in order to aid in understanding arguments opposed to Catholic teaching and better respond to persons who struggle with gender identity and desire to accompany them toward an integrated understanding of self.
Course 5:
Christian Anthropology & Pedagogy
​In this course the student will consider pedagogy regarding Christian anthropology from three perspectives: education, encounter & embodiment. Through a series of research and class presentations, students will learn to consider their audiences in educating others on Christian anthropology, will seek to encounter Christ themselves and consider best practices for helping their audiences to encounter Christ. Students will also consider the nature of holiness as a participated gift and seek to apply the principles learned earlier in the course of study regarding embodiment to effectively communicating the central precepts and themes of Christian anthropology with their audiences.
How to Take the Courses
Scheduled Learning
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Students who opt for scheduled learning watch one video lecture per week and attend live Zoom calls with the instructor and students around the world to ask questions and discuss material. In addition, deadlines are given for written assignments and exams.
Self-Paced
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Self-paced students move through the course, written assignments and exams at their own pace, communicating with the instructor at the beginning and end of each course via email. Self-paced students have access to each course for one calendar year.
Audited
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Those who opt not to pursue the certificate (audit students) but wish to have access to the lectures can do so without any obligation to complete any of the assignments or exams. Audit students have access to each course for one calendar year.
Spiritual Component
In addition to learning information, this program is designed to aid the student in assimilating the major concepts into his or her spiritual life in order to embody these concepts on a practical level. In each course, a set of guided questions will be given to students to aid them in incorporating a spiritual theme.
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Students are expected to make attempts at incorporating these practices covered in the questions during and after the course. Commitment to local small groups, in person or on Zoom, to discuss progress is strongly encouraged.
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Beginning with Course 2, each scheduled learning student will be required to submit a one-page reflection paper to the instructor at the beginning of each new course describing the progress he or she has made in the attempt to live out the Spiritual Themes.
What You Get
Scheduled
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15 hours of pre-recorded lectures (time of access is limited)
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Notes Outline
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Access to online discussion board
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Live Zoom Q & A and discussion with instructor
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Deadlines for assignments and exams to aid in pacing through the program
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Option to move through courses as a group for staff or volunteer formation (groups of 10 or more receive 10% discount)
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Program certificate (100 contact hours) if all elements are successfully completed.*
*A certificate in Christian Anthropology from Image & Gift Ministries (non-accredited) and any certification through the agency/agencies participant represents as long as said agency is in agreement.
Cost
Scheduled or Self-Paced
$350 per course*
Total of $1,750 for all five courses
Audited
$250 per course*
Does not include certificate
Couples for Christ Partners
Contact Jennifer at jennifer@imageandgift.com for cost information.
*Payment is collected only when registration for each course is confirmed. The option to pay for each course in three monthly installments is available at no extra cost. In the United States, payment may be made via PayPal (entering a credit card is an option via the PayPal invoice), Venmo or Cash App. International payments are made through PayPal.