DESCRIPTION:

How does the shape of the built environment both reflect as well as effect the cultural values of North America in the 21st century? This class will provide a framework for critiquing artifacts of material culture such as buildings, sidewalks, neighborhoods, cities, and civic art. In particular, it will focus on the problems associated with post-war suburban sprawl and explore the prospects of the New Urbanist movement as an alternative model both for human thriving as well as for Christian mission and discipleship. This focus will help uncover some of the overlooked aspects of community formation as well as provide a forum for exploring relevant topics such as the value of beauty, justice and gentrification, privatization and the public realm, the role of citizenship, and stewardship of the environment.

In this class, students will develop a clear understanding of some of the key differences between traditional urban and suburban-sprawl neighborhood types. This class will provide students with practical tools for reading and assessing the ordinary landscapes encountered in everyday life. And students will have an opportunity to employ these understandings and skills towards developing ministry models appropriate to the urban and/or suburban setting(s).

The class will meet daily for four-hour sessions over the period of two weeks. Class sessions will include lectures (by instructor as well as guest speakers), discussion, and case studies.

Barrett, Lois. Treasure in Clay Jars: Patterns in Missional Faithfulness. The Gospel and Our Culture Series. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004.

Duany, Andres, Elizabeth Plater-Zyberk, and Jeff Speck. Suburban Nation: The Rise of Sprawl and the Decline of the American Dream. 1st ed. New York: North Point Press, 2000.

Frazee, Randy. The Connecting Church: Beyond Small Groups to Authentic Community. Grand Rapids: Zondervan; Willow Creek Resources, 2001.

Inge, John. A Christian Theology of Place, Explorations in Practical, Pastoral, and Empirical Theology. Aldershot, Hampshire, England ; Burlington, VT, USA: Ashgate, 2003.

Jacobs, Jane. The Death and Life of Great American Cities. New York: Vintage, 1961.

Jacobsen, Eric O. Sidewalks in the Kingdom: New Urbanism and the Christian Faith. The Christian Practice of Everyday Life. Grand Rapids: Brazos Press, 2003.

Course Reader (including readings by James Howard Kunstler, Ray Oldenburg, Tim Gorringe, Christopher Alexander, Dan Kemmis and others).

Completion of required readings prior to each class meeting and participation in discussions is expected of all students. Also required of all students are a short (1 page) response paper for 5 of the assigned texts (the first due in class June 22, the second June 29, and the final three on July 13; 20% of grade); a midterm examination in class on June 21 (30%); a journal of students' daily interaction with the built environment (due July 1; 15%); and a 12-page final paper (35%; due Aug. 1).

Meets MA in Theology requirement in Globalization (GLBL).
Meets the MACL in Integrative Studies requirement for an interdisciplinary course (IDPL).