Course of Study at Duke Divinity School

2023 Course of Study (planned) Schedule & Course Offerings (click the link for a PDF printable document)

2023 COS Advanced Course Descriptions Sessions 1-6  (pdf)

All 2023 sessions will be in a fully online format unless otherwise specified. Each week basic courses will have 2 hours of asynchronous instruction in Sakai and 2 hours of synchronous class periods in Zoom rooms with their instructors and classmates, for a total of 20 contact hours. Each advanced class will have 6 weeks of instruction for a total of 25 contact hours.

Advance preparation is required of all students. Course of Study at Duke Divinity has provided writing guidelines (pdf) to assist students in the completion of their assignments with best academic practices. We ask that you would take particular note of the sections on plagiarism and contact the COS office for clarification, if necessary.

If desired, textbooks can be purchased through the Duke Divinity Bookshop.

Booklists and Pre-Work

Each course will make available a booklist and pre-assignment in Sakai course sites. Pre-work is to be completed by the beginning of each session, according to the deadlines set by instructors. Online work may include tasks such as uploading documents, posting comments, watching videos, taking quizzes, etc. 

Sakai is an educational learning platform. Information about how to access the Sakai course site, including booklist and required readings is sent by email to registered students about 5-7 business days following the individual session registration deadlines. Following the registration deadlines, details about the process required to access coursework, how to create a required Duke Net ID sponsored guest account, how to set-up a Multi-factor Authentication (MFA) for secure access, and how to log into Sakai is sent by email to registered students. Individual session registration deadline dates are listed above in the Dates & Deadlines section.

Resources

Please refer to the following self-help resources to answer questions about using Sakai:

• Student Quick Start Guide to Sakai (pdf)
• Duke YouTube Course of Study Channel

Online Library Research Links:

• https://www.blueletterbible.org/
• https://www.bibleodyssey.org/
• http://textweek.com/

Course of Study students do not have access to Duke Libraries online materials. Our licensing agreements with vendors for electronic materials require the university to limit access to active faculty, staff, and students in Duke University degree-seeking programs. The Divinity School keeps a research guide on open access internet resources in religion and theology which is recommended to Course of Study students and others who do not have access to Duke Libraries’ electronic resources.

Students with learning disabilities should contact the director to discuss appropriate accommodations.

General Information

• Program Guidelines Booklet (pdf) (Updates Coming Soon!)
• Writing Guidelines (pdf)
• Inclusive Language Policy (pdf)

Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend all synchronous and asychronous instruction during Course of Study. There are no excused absences from Course of Study classes. Absences may affect class participation grades, and therefore a student’s overall performance at Course of Study. Per the policy set by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry, a student missing more than 20 percent of contact hours for any one course shall not receive a grade for the course. If a student has an issue that will keep them from participating in the residential or online contact hours, please email or call the COS program office and the instructor as soon as possible to find out if an arrangement can be made to accommodate an absence.

Conduct of Students

The Course of Study expects and will require of all its students continuing cooperation in developing and maintaining high standards of scholarship and conduct. The Divinity School expects Course of Study students to participate in a communally-shared concern for growth in faith and life reflecting the dignity of our calling. Each student will sign a conduct covenant, agreeing to abide by these expectations, when he or she applies for Course of Study.

Grades

Grades are assigned by faculty following completion of all coursework. Grades range from “A” to “F,” including "+" and "-" designations. A “D” is considered a passing grade; an annual conference may have different standards. Students are encouraged to be in contact with their local pastor registrar regarding these requirements. Grades will be distributed approximately 4-6 weeks following the last day of the last weekly online session.

Transcripts

Duke Divinity School does not hold official transcripts for Course of Study students. Official transcripts for Course of Study work are available through the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry; contact the GBHEM COS registrar at cosregistrar@gbhem.org or (615) 340-7416.

The Honor Code

Ministerial and theological education involves developing and shaping a life of honor and integrity, virtues rooted in our faith. Therefore, we in the Divinity School of Duke University pledge, individually and corporately, to exhibit our commitment to these virtues by abstaining from any form of cheating, lying, or plagiarism and by respecting the facilities of the Divinity School and the property of peers and professors. We do also assume responsibility for the maintenance of these virtues by pledging, individually and corporately, to report any violation of this code. By agreeing to the terms and conditions and initialing the covenant during online registration, students indicate their willingness to abide by all policies outlined in these program guidelines and all University policies.

Academic Integrity

All students are expected to do their own work. Friends and spouses may help with spelling and punctuation and may proofread papers, but should not participate in the research and writing of the papers. Plagiarism, the use of someone else’s work without giving appropriate recognition, is a highly serious matter of academic dishonesty. Plagiarism and other instances of academic dishonesty will be dealt with harshly and could result in the failure of the class involved. It is at the discretion of the Course of Study director whether to report academic dishonesty to the student’s district superintendent, the student's Board of Ordained Ministry, and the bishop.

Special Accommodations

Students with learning disabilities should contact the director to discuss appropriate accommodations.

Harassment

Duke University is also committed to the free and vigorous discussion of ideas and issues. To allow this to happen, no form of harassment is acceptable at Duke University. It is inconsistent with the university’s commitments to excellence and respect for all individuals. In addition to the university’s policy, students will be furnished with copies of the General Board of Higher Education’s policy on harassment as well. Duke Course of Study will follow the procedures outlined in the GBHEM policy handbook in cases of sexual and racial harassment; copies of this handbook are made available to all students online and may be requested by contacting the Duke Course of Study office.

Inclusive Language

Using inclusive language that expands and enriches our understanding of God includes the practice, when writing and speaking of persons or God, of using precise language and explicit pronouns; referring to collective and abstract nouns without gender; and avoiding the exclusive use of either masculine or feminine pronouns for God. The Course of Study Inclusive Language Policy is a helpful guide to these expected practices.