CURRICULUM VITAE
JOEL J. HEIM
EDUCATION:
Ph.D. from the Religion and Social Ethics Program of the School of Religion at the University of Southern California, 2000. Focus of work was on ethical issues surrounding war and peace, legal ethics, and church and state issues. Dissertation, An Ethic of Nonproliferation, under the direction of Professor Henry B. Clark II, develops an ethic of nonproliferation by drawing from pacifist, feminist and liberationist theological and ethical voices. Served as President of the Religion Graduate Student Association.
Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary (New York City), 1990. Academic emphasis was in the field of Christian Ethics. Master's Thesis, Violence and Nonviolence : Latin American Liberation Theology's Challenge to North American Pacifism, under the direction of Professors Beverly Harrison and Larry Rasmussen, explored the implications of Latin American Liberation Theology for the ethical evaluation of the use of violence and nonviolence in social change. Involved in community life as a Student Senate member for two years and served on the seminary's financial governing committee.
Bachelor of Science in Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, 1982. Double Major: Social Sciences (History and Political Science) and Speech/Theatre. High academic record: Graduated with a Certificate of Superior Scholarship, GPA of 3.677 on 4.0 scale. Activities: Student government; honor societies; technical theatre work and three years of intercollegiate debate.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:
Adjunct Professor of Philosophy, Marian University, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin (2013-2017). Taught courses including "Examined Life," "Philosophy and Values," "Business Ethics," and "Philosophy of Love and Friendship."
Assistant Professor of Philosophy, Marian University, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin (2012-2013). Served in a one-year replacement position. During the academic year teaching six sections of required course, “The Examined Life,” one section of “Social and Political Philosophy” and one section of “Philosophy of Religion.”
Assistant Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies in Curriculum and Instruction, National Louis University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin & Chicago, Illinois (2005-2012). Taught cohort groups in three terms lasting nearly two years. The curriculum consisted of three courses in action research, two courses in curriculum and instruction, and one course in each of the following: group process, educational foundations, human development and cross- cultural education. Served as reader for other cohort action research projects and as a mentor to adjunct and new faculty members. Served on a university committee including representing the interests of National Louis’ remote center faculty, Under-Graduate Council, Graduate Council and co-chair elect of college faculty. Headed a departmental committee exploring issues around institutional review board procedures for student action research.
Assistant Professor of Religion and Philosophy, Carroll University, Waukesha, Wisconsin (1997-2004). Courses taught: "First-Year Seminar 100: Just and Unjust Wars;" "PHI 101: Introduction to Philosophy;" "REL 106, Understanding Religion;" "REL 306: Asian Religions;" "PHI 307: World Philosophy;" "REL/PHI 308 Philosophy of Religion;" and "REL/PHI 309: Contemporary Christian Ethics." Developed and coordinated a revised philosophy minor including redesigning all philosophy courses. Helped develop Liberal Studies major. Served three years as a freshman advisor. Served three years on the First- Year Seminar Committee. Served two years as Chair of Student/Faculty Ethics Committee responsible for implementing a new academic integrity policy. Served two years on Faculty Executive Committee.
Lecturer in Religion and Philosophy, Azusa Pacific University, Azusa, California (1996-1997). Served in a one-year replacement position as a full-time faculty member. Taught six sections of a Senior Seminar in Social Ethics, one section of a Freshman Writing Seminar, and one section of Introduction to Philosophy.
Graduate Student in Residence, The Graduate School of the University of Southern California (1995-1996). Served as ombudsperson for the graduate student body. Assisted Graduate School dean in formulating policy and served as liaison between the Graduate School and the Graduate and Professional Student Senate.
Associate Pastor, Wilshire Christian Church of Los Angeles, CA (1993-1994 and July 1995-July 1996). Responsible for a comprehensive evaluation of the church, its programs and community, and developing a planning process for transformation and change. Directed Young Adult Fellowship, worked with the music program, and did computer consulting and training.
Interim Co-Pastor, Wilshire Christian Church of Los Angeles, CA (Jan.-July, 1995). Responsible, with Co-Pastor, for entire church operation including worship, educational programming, and administration. Supervised a staff that included a church secretary, financial secretary/operations manager, custodian, preschool director, and preschool staff. Coordinated the use of facility with both a Korean and a Hispanic congregation and their pastors.
Teaching Assistant in World Religion Courses, The School of Religion of the University of Southern California (1991-1994). Consistently received high evaluations.
Assistant Director of Child and Youth Education, The Riverside Church, New York City (Sept. 1988-1991). Administered and taught in a four-hour Sunday Morning Program for children/youth from preschool through grade 12. Wrote/developed curriculum for grades 5-10. Participated in Sunday morning worship services and worked with the Friday Night Youth program.
Speakers Bureau and Special Events Coordinator for The Center For Constitutional Rights in New York City, a public interest law and education organization (Sept. 1987-Dec. 1988). Developed and operated their Speakers Bureau with 50 speakers who spoke nationally. Organized a special fund-raising event for the Center raising $20,000.
High School Teacher at Westside High School in Omaha, Nebraska (1982-1987). Taught: Government, Sociology and Debate. Coached a large and successful debate program (One State Championship and two second place finishes). Named Nebraska High School Speech and Debate Coach of the Year in 1987.
PROFESSIONAL PUBLICATION RECORD:
Joel J. Heim and Nelia Beth Scovill. “A Spectrum Pedagogy for Christian Ethics: Respecting Difference without Resorting to Relativism.” Teaching Theology and Religion. Oct. 2010: 350-370.
Joel J. Heim. “Hope for Peace in the Middle East.” Church of God Peace Fellowship. Winter 2003-2004: 3-4.
Joel J. Heim. “Abu Ghraib? What Kind of People Have We Become?” Call to Justice. June 2004: 2-3.
Joel J. Heim. “Lie to Us and See If We Care: An Analysis of U.S. Reasons for War Against Iraq.” Disciples Peace Fellowship NewsNotes. Summer 2003: 2+.
Joel J. Heim. “Half a World Away (North Korean Nuclear Efforts)” Disciples Peace Fellowship NewsNotes. Spring 2003: 4+.
Joel J. Heim. “Hope for Peace in the Middle East.” Disciples Peace Fellowship NewsNotes. Fall 2002: 2.
Joel J. Heim. “The Remains of Racism: Racism Remains.” Disciples Peace Fellowship NewsNotes. Spring 2002: 2.
Joel J. Heim. “Falling and Soaring: A Statement In Response to Events of September 11, 2001.” Disciples Peace Fellowship NewsNotes. Fall 2001: 4.
Joel J. Heim. “Stopping the Spiral of Violence in the Middle East” a joint statement by Disciples Peace Fellowship and Disciples Justice Action Network, January 2001.
Joel J. Heim. An Ethic of Nuclear Nonproliferation: Steps Toward a Nonnuclear World. Diss. University of Southern California, 2000.
Joel J. Heim. "Review of Discipleship Between Creation and Redemption: Toward a Believers’ Church Social Ethic by Philip LeMasters" in Encounter. 60.2 (1999): 244-246.
Joel J. Heim. "Review of Facing AIDS: The Challenge, the Church’s Response by the WCC" in Encounter. 59.3 (1998): 438-439.
Joel J. Heim. “Nuclear Issues: Where are the Peacemakers?” Disciples Peace Fellowship NewsNotes. September/October 1995: 6.
Joel J. Heim. "Turning Over Tables.” Crossbeams. April, 1994: 4-5.
Joel J. Heim and Nelia Beth Scovill. "Love Includes the World." Crossbeams. December, 1993: 7-8.
Joel J. Heim. “Children Need Help in Coping with War.” United Church News. March 1991: 9.
Joel J. Heim. “Another Point of View: U.S. Has Poor Track Record in Relations With Nicaragua.” Omaha World-Herald. August 14, 1986: 43.
PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATIONS AND SERVICE:
Joel J. Heim, "A Home on the Way" presented at the One Hundred and Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Celebration. First Christian Church, Grand Island, Nebraska, July 2, 2017.
Joel J. Heim, “Understanding Christian Positions on Homosexuality as a Means to Anti- biased Teaching with the Gay-Lesbian-Bisexual-Transgendered (GLBT) Community,” presented at Anti-racist * Anti-bias Teaching Conference, Franklin, WI. April, 2009.
Joel J Heim, “The IRB Process and Teacher Research: Challenge and Opportunity” presented at International Conference of Teacher Research, New York, NY, March 2008.
Joel J. Heim, et. al., “The Action Research Workshop: Constructing a Collaborative Research Community” presented at International Conference of Teacher Research, Chicago, IL, March 2007.
Joel J. Heim and Nelia Beth Scovill. “A Spectrum Approach to Christian Ethics: Respecting Difference Without Resorting to Relativism” presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, Philadelphia, PA, November 2005.
Joel J. Heim. “Celebrating Religious Diversity” a workshop presentation at The Other America Tour, ACLU Wisconsin Youth Program, Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI, November 21, 2004.
Serve as national moderator of Disciples Peace Fellowship (1999-2003), denominational organization promoting peace. My role included coordination of all of the organization’s activities including a quarterly newsletter, a summer intern program, and major events at denominational meetings. Member of DPF’s executive committee (1995-2003).
Served as a member of the national decision team of Disciples Justice Action Network of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) (1998-2001) helping to organize the justice work of the church.
Served as representative (2000-2001) to Protestant Justice Action an ecumenical organization seeking to coordinate the justice work of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Presbyterian Church USA, United Church of Christ, and the United Methodist Church. This included meetings with the representatives of the Congressional Black Caucus, Washington denominational officers, and the National Religious Roundtable for Gay and Lesbian Concerns.
Joel J. Heim. “Peace Advocates in the Church” a workshop presentation at JusticeWorks a national conference convened by Protestant Justice Action and Eden Theological Seminary, St Louis, MO March 28-30, 2003.
Joel J. Heim. “As War Clouds Loom: Peacemaking in a Time of Terrorism”
Joel J. Heim. “An Introduction to Islam: A Member of the Family of Abraham” presented at YWCA, Waukesha, Wisconsin, February 6, 2002.
Served as a referee for The Annual of the Society of Christian Ethics, January 2002.
Joel J. Heim. “Daoism and Buddhism” lecture series to the Youth Fellowship, Pilgrim Christian Church, Brookfield, Wisconsin, September 16 and 30, 2001 and January 20 and 27, 2002.
Joel J. Heim. “Staying Strong in the Peace Movement” presented at First Christian Church, Olathe, Kansas, February 4, 2001.
Served as a referee for The Annual of the Society of Christian Ethics, January 2001.
Joel J. Heim. “Peace Activism” presented at University Park Christian Church, Indianapolis, Indiana, February 6, 2000.
Served as a referee for The Annual of the Society of Christian Ethics, January 2000.
Joel J. Heim. “The Nuclear Threat,” presented at the Pre-Assembly Gathering of Disciples Peace Fellowship, Cincinnati, Ohio, October 8, 1999.
Joel J. Heim and Nelia Beth Scovill. “The Church and Homosexuality” A four-part adult educational series, Pilgrim Christian Church, Brookfield, Wisconsin, April-May 1999.
Joel J. Heim. “The Continuing Threat of Nuclear Weapons” presented at Campaign for Justice 1998, Christian Theological Seminary, Indianapolis, Indiana, September 1998.
Joel J. Heim. “Rage and Vision: Feminist Theology’s Contribution to Peace,” presented at the Annual Meeting of the Society of Christian Ethics, Atlanta, Georgia, January 1998.
Joel J. Heim. “Stopping the Nukes: A Just-War Analysis of Nuclear Non-Proliferation Efforts,” presented at the Annual Meeting of the Western Chapter of the American Academy of Religion, San Diego, California, March 1996.
Joel J. Heim. “Liberation and Realism: Convergence or Divergence,” presented at the Annual Meeting of the Pacific Section of the Society of Christian Ethics, Loma Linda, California, February 1996.
Joel J. Heim. “Lincoln Douglas Debate” lectures. University of Nevada, Las Vegas High School Forensics Workshop, Las Vegas, Nevada, September 1993-1997.
Joel J. Heim. “Rule 11: Can the Federal Courts Continue To Be Used As A Tool For Social Change?” presented at the Annual Meeting of the Western Chapter of the American Academy of Religion, Redlands, California, March 1995.
Joel J. Heim. “Toward An Ethic of Nonproliferation: Taking Serious Feminist, Liberation and Sectarian Voices,” presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Religion, Washington, DC, November 1993.
Joel J. Heim. “Separation or Neutrality: Extra-Curricular Religious Groups in the Public Schools,” presented at Annual Meeting of the Western Chapter of the American Academy of Religion, Fullerton, California, March 1993.
Joel J. Heim. “Transferring A Sheltered Environment to the Actual Classroom: A First- Year Perspective,” presented at the Annual Meeting of the Central States Communication Association, Lincoln, Nebraska April 1983.
