Spring 2020/Fuller Online

ML519

Villacorta

ML519: DYNAMICS OF POWER AND GENDER IN CHRISTIAN LEADERSHIP (4 Units: 160 Hours). Wilmer G. Villacorta.

DESCRIPTION: The dynamics of power and gender in leadership are inherent to the human experience expressed in interpersonal and professional relationships. A misconstrued paradigm of power can create explosive blend of spiritual and social expectations. Therefore, an understanding of and implications for how power and gender dynamics intersect with ethnic identity is critical for any leader desiring to effectively influence in the church or other organizational context. This course will explore these dynamics in an inter-disciplinary approach with attention given to theological, historical, social and scriptural perspectives. The course will guide students through a process of reflection identifying their power assumptions originating from their personal narrative and rooted in longstanding paradigms informed by the complexity of power and gender/ethnic relationships. Through the use of seminal perspectives and constructive social and spiritual disciplines, students will have the opportunity to integrate a plan for effectively leading others.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon the successful completion of the course, student will (1) be able to explain theological perspectives on the issue of power and its implications for ministry; (2) describe historical and sociological dimensions concerning power, gender and ethnic diversity; (3) describe scriptural passages, theological implications and case studies on gender roles/ethnic diversity; (4) assess the current debates on gender; and (5) identify new perspectives and disciplines to break old paradigms of understanding power that threaten spiritual life and ministry.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: Addresses MAICS Area of Interest Class “Students will have demonstrated capacities to pursue vocations that engage the mission of God globally.” Addresses MDiv PLO “Students will have demonstrated capacities to engage diverse cultural contexts for transformational discipleship, mission, and ministry.” Addresses MATM/MAT PLO “Students will have demonstrated capacities for historically informed theological and ethical reflection.”

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours, which is outlined below in the assignment and assessment section. Each week students and the instructor will interact with the material through reading, journaling, online threaded discussions and other assignments that promote active and peer learning. The sessions include a time of spiritual formation as well as inputs in an interdisciplinary approach dealing with key concepts on power, social relationships and leadership.

REQUIRED READING: Approximately 1200 pages (70 hours) from the following texts:

Crouch, Andy. Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power. InterVarsity Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0830837656, Pub. Price $25.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [280 pp. required].

James, Carolyn Custis. Malestrom: Manhood Swept into the Currents of a Changing World. Zondervan, 2015. ISBN: 978-0310325574, Pub. Price $18.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [210 pp. required].

Rah, Soong-Cha. Many Colors: Cultural Intelligence for a Change Church. Moody Publishers, 2010. ISBN: 978-0802450487, Pub. Price $14.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [210 pp. required].

Tucker, Ruth A. Extraordinary Women of Christian History: What We Can Learn from Their Struggles and Triumphs. Baker Publishing Group, 2016.ISBN: 978-0801016721, Pub. Price $17.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [256 pp. required].

Villacorta, Wilmer G. Unmasking the Male Soul: Power and Gender Trap for Women in Leadership. Wipf & Stock, 2019. ISBN: 978-1532652349, Pub. Price $22.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [146 pp. required].

Supplemental reading packet in the Canvas course shell--eReserves include required and recommended readings. [105 pages assigned].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Johnson, Alan F. How I Changed My Mind about Women in Leadership. Zondervan, 2010. ISBN: 978-0310293156, Pub. Price: $16.99 (Kindle: $7).

Villacorta, Wilmer G. Tug of War: The Downward Ascent of Power. Cascade Books, 2017. ISBN: 978-1498298285, Pub. Price $21.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [128 pp. required].

ASSIGNMENTS & ASSESSMENT:

1. Complete the 1,200 pages of required reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, #2 & #3] [70 hours].
2. Participate in watching coursevideo/MP4 and audio/MP3 lectures and other course documents as scheduled/assigned by instructor. (25%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, #2 & #3] [20 hours].
3. Participate in ten weekly small group discussions on course readings & concepts as scheduled/assigned by instructor (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #4 & #5] [20 hours].

1. For weeks 1-7 and 10, post initially 250-word response (5%) [8 hours].
2. For weeks 1-7 and 10, interact with 250-word replies in weekly discussions (5%). [8 hours].
3. For weeks 8-9, share perspectives and disciplines in peer interactive feedback (5%). [4 hours].

4. Reflect dynamically on the readings (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1 and 2] [10 hours].
   1. Write five 350-word book reading report/application (3% each, 15% total) [10 hours].
5. Write a 4,500-word final paper—an integrated plan for change (50%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #3, #4 & #5]. [40 hours].
   1. Write seven weekly online learning activities on relate themes of power relations with gender and ethnic diversity which will inform the final integrated plan for change. (35%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #3 & #4] [30 hours].
   2. Write ten weekly reflective journals interacting with spiritual formation inputs as they relate to issues of power in tandem with gender diversity and/or ethnic identity. (15%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1 & #5] [10 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the C5 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2015).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.