Major Changes

The world changes, and the needs of students change with it. As with every college, Moravian is always in the process of reexamining its offerings.

One important new major that will be offered next year is biochemistry, a cooperative curriculum between the Biology and Chemistry Departments. As the magazine went to press, the departments were in the process of hiring a new faculty member, who will be based in the Chemistry Department. Biochemistry is an important part of many medical and therapeutic disciplines, including psychiatry and psychotherapy, and it is the basis for research careers in the pharmaceutical industry.

The Philosophy and Religion Departments also have reviewed their priorities and decided to hire an Islamist, sharing the appointment between them. This is in light of our need to know more about the Islamic faith and world-view in the aftermath of September 11, the Iraqi war, Irani parliamentary elections, and the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.

And this fall, Moravian Theological Seminary inaugurated a joint program with Marywood University in Scranton whereby students who wish to combine social-work principles with their ministries can complete a Master of Divinity and Master of Social Work in four years. Those who wish to combine social-work practice with a pastoral counseling ministry may complete the Master of Arts in Pastoral Counseling and Master of Social Work degrees in three years.

Social-work courses are given by Marywood’s School of Social Work and may be earned at its branch program at DeSales University in Allentown. Field placements are selected to satisfy both institutions. Faculty advisors for the joint degree are Cynthia J. Weaver, assistant professor of social work at Marywood, and Glenn Asquith Jr., professor of pastoral theology in the Seminary.