Union Theological Seminary

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Union Theological Seminary

Type	Private
Established	1836
Affiliation	Ecumenical
Location	New York City , New York , United States
Campus	Urban

Union Theological Seminary LC-USZ62-74646

Union Theological Seminary NYC 001 002 combined

UnionTheological

Cornel West by Gage Skidmore

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Union Theological Seminary (UTS) is an independent, ecumenical, Christian seminary located in New York City. It was founded in 1836 and is affiliated with Columbia University. The seminary is known for its progressive stance on social issues and its commitment to social justice.

History

Union Theological Seminary was established in 1836 by members of the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America. The founders aimed to create a theological institution that would be independent of denominational control. The seminary's first classes were held in the basement of a church in Lower Manhattan. In 1884, UTS moved to its current location in Morningside Heights, adjacent to the Columbia University campus.

Academics

UTS offers a variety of degree programs, including the Master of Divinity (M.Div.), Master of Arts (M.A.), Master of Sacred Theology (S.T.M.), and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). The seminary is known for its interdisciplinary approach to theological education, integrating fields such as ethics, philosophy, sociology, and psychology.

Faculty

The faculty at Union Theological Seminary includes prominent theologians, scholars, and activists. Notable faculty members have included Reinhold Niebuhr, Paul Tillich, and James H. Cone.

Social Justice and Activism

Union Theological Seminary has a long history of involvement in social justice movements. The seminary has been active in the Civil Rights Movement, the anti-war movement, and various other social causes. UTS is committed to addressing issues such as racism, sexism, homophobia, and economic inequality.

Campus

The UTS campus is located in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan. The main building, designed by architect Francis R. Allen, features a Gothic Revival style. The campus includes the historic James Memorial Chapel, which is used for worship services, lectures, and other events.

Notable Alumni

Union Theological Seminary has produced many influential religious leaders, scholars, and activists. Notable alumni include:

• Dietrich Bonhoeffer, German theologian and anti-Nazi dissident
• Martin Luther King Jr., leader of the Civil Rights Movement
• Paul Tillich, existentialist philosopher and theologian
• Cornel West, philosopher, political activist, and social critic

Related Pages

• Columbia University
• Reinhold Niebuhr
• Paul Tillich
• James H. Cone
• Civil Rights Movement
• Morningside Heights, Manhattan

See Also

• List of theological seminaries
• History of New York City
• Social justice