Spring 2006/Pasadena
YF506
Lloyd

YF506: URBAN YOUTH MINISTRY. Larry J. Lloyd.


DESCRIPTION: This course begins with a definition of urban and the need for middle class investigators to be sensitized to poverty, racism, and classism. It proceeds with an analysis of urban realities and the subcultures of urban youth. Issues of gangs, drugs, crime, pregnancy, and welfare will be considered before dealing with social strategies and responses of youth leaders.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will

  1. gain an introductory understanding of urbanology, the city, its people, and its systems;

  2. evaluate an existing urban youth ministry for effectiveness;

  3. be introduced to former gang members to understand the current issues facing youth and violence;

  4. familiarize themselves with the Hip-Hop culture and how it influences ministry to youth;

  5. acquaint themselves with diverse urban youth leaders and their ministries as proposed models for ministry.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Students will be introduced to ministry resources unique to urban practitioners.

COURSE FORMAT: Lectures, optional field trips to urban programs, talking with gang members and urban youth, class presentations, general and small group discussions, intensive reading and research will provide you with a realistic overview of urban youth ministry. The course will meet weekly for a three-hour session.

REQUIRED READING:
Green, Jared. Rap and Hip Hop. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2003.

Jones, Tony. Postmodern Youth Ministry: Exploring Cultural Shift, Cultivating Authentic Community, Creating Holistic Connections. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2001.

Ortiz, M., and Susan S. Baker, eds. The Urban Face of Mission: Ministering the Gospel in a Diverse and Changing World. [Includes articles by Harvie Conn.] Phillipsburg, PA: P&R Publishing, 2002.

Parker, Evelyn L. Trouble Don't Last Always: Emancipatory Hope among African American Adolescents. Cleveland: Pilgrim's Press, 2003.

Wiener, Valerie. Winning the War against Youth Gangs: A Guide for Teens, Families, and Communities. Westport, CN: Greenwood Press, 1999.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Decker, Scott H., and Barrik Van Winkle. Life in the Gang: Family, Friends and Violence. Cambridge University Press, 1996.

Parker, Matthew, and Eugene Seals. Planting Seeds of Hope: How to Reach a New Generation of African Americans with the Gospel. The Institute for Black Family Development.

Stevenson, D., and Barbara L. Schneider. The Ambitious Generation: American's Teenagers: Motivated But Directionless. Yale University Press, 1999.

Stout, Federic, and Richard T. LeGates. The City Reader. Routledge, 2000.

Syllabus will provide bibliography for additional resources.

ASSIGNMENTS: In addition to readings, students will
  1. keep and submit a personal journal (20%);

  2. do community research of a given target area and write a 7-10 page paper on that research (40%);

  3. evaluate or plan a youth program in a 7-10 page paper (40%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the MA Globalization requirement (GLBL). Satisfies requirements for Youth, Family and Culture concentration in MDiv, MA in Youth, Family and Culture, and MACL (Youth, Family and Culture).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.