Spring 2020/Fuller Online

MN520

Glenn

MN520: ENCOUNTERING THE CITY. (4 units: 160 hours). Mary Glenn.

DESCRIPTION: Urbanization is a major force in our global world. As global citizens, we need to understand this urbanizing world and think critically about the church’s and our response to our changing world and the issues in cities. This course explores these dynamics, introducing various macro-lenses for seeing the city (including historical, theological, anthropological/sociological, ecclesiological, ecological, as well as seeing through street-level eyes) in order to understand how God is at work in the city.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will have demonstrated (1) a critical assessment of the growth of cities and issues cities face through the various lenses presented in class; (2) an understanding of the role and nature of the church in the urban context; and (3) utilization and development of tools for exegeting the city environment (including culture) and her people.

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 the MDiv PLO that states “Students will have demonstrated capacities to engage diverse cultural contexts for transformational discipleship, mission, and ministry.” Addresses the MATM/MAT PLOs that state “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. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: Total: 1250 pages of reading. (75 hours) If you have previously read any of the required texts, please select an alternative text from the list posted on Canvas.

Anderson, Elijah. Cosmopolitan Canopy: Race and Civility in Everyday Life. W.W. Norton, 2012. ISBN: 978-0393340518, Pub. Price $17.95. [150 pp. assigned]. Available in print format in the Fuller Library; also avaiable as e-book on Amazon.

Boyle, Gregory. Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion. Free Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-1439153154, Pub. Price $16.99. [200 pp. assigned]. Available as e-book in the Fuller Library; also available as e-book on Amazon.

Glaeser, Ed. Triumph of the City. Penguin Books, 2012. ISBN: 978-0143120544, Pub. Price $18.00. [150 pp. assigned]. Available as e-book in the Fuller Library; also available as e-book on Amazon.

Lin, Jan & Christopher Mele. The Urban Sociology Reader. 2nd edition. Routledge, 2012. ISBN: 978-0415665315, Pub. Price $26.49. [100 pp. assigned]. Available as e-book in the Fuller Library; also available as e-book on Amazon.

Perkins, John & Charles Marsh. Welcoming Justice: God’s Movement Toward Beloved Community. IVP, 2009. ISBN: 978-0830834532, Pub Price $17.00. [100 pp. assigned]. Available as e-book in the Fuller Library; also available as e-book on Amazon.

Rock, Kris and Joel Van Dyke. Geography of Grace: Doing Theology from Below. Center for Transforming Mission, 2012. ISBN: 978-0985233402, Pub Price $16.99. [150 pp. assigned]. Available in print format in the Fuller Library; also available as e-book on Amazon.

Tiersma, Jude, and Charles Van Engen. God So Loves the City: Seeking a Theology for Urban Mission. Wipf and Stock, 2009. ISBN: 978-1606089460, Pub. Price $37.00 [125 pp. assigned]. Available in print format in the Fuller Library; also available in print format on Amazon.

Additional content (various articles, videos, etc. posted on Canvas) [25 pp. assigned].

Read One:

Davey, Andrew. Urban Christianity and Global Order: Theological Resources for an Urban Future. Hendrickson Publishers, 2002. ISBN: 978-1565637153, Pub. Price $16.95 [150 pp. assigned]. Available in print format in the Fuller Library; also avaiable in print format on Amazon.

Gornick, Mark. To Live in Peace: Biblical Faith and the Changing Inner City. Eerdmans, 2002. ISBN: 978-0802846853, Pub. Price $28.50. [150 pp. assigned]. Available in print format in the Fuller Library; also available as e-book on Amazon.

Read One:

Maggay, Melba. Global Kingdom, Global People: Living Faithfully in a Multicultural World. Langham Global Library, 2017. ISBN: 978-1783681983, Pub Price $19.99 [152 pp.]. Available as e-book link in the Fuller Library; also available as e-book on Amazon.

Maggay, Melba. Transforming Society. Wipf & Stock, 2011. ISBN: 978-1610970402, Pub Price $16.00 [100 pages assigned]. Available in print format in the Fuller Library and in print format on Amazon.

Padilla, Rene. The Local Church, Agent of Transformation: An Ecclesiology for Integral Mission. Kairos, 2004. ISBN: 978-9879403679, Pub Price 16.99 [100 pp. assigned]. Available in print format in the Fuller Library; also available in print format on Amazon.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1,250 pages of reading and one integrative book report (500-750 words). (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3]. [75 hours].
Intro my city (or neighborhood) power point assignment (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3]. [10 hours].
Weekly posts (200-350 words) and responses to classmates post (150-200 words). (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3]. [30 hours].
Fieldwork and one ethnographic paper/write up of observations (400 words). (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3]. [10 hours].
One major project paper (signature assignment) applying the theories, methods and skills learned in class utilizing either 1. God So Loves the City methodology, or 2. An assessment of a major issue in the global city and the faith community’s response (3500 words). (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3]. [35 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None. Audits only if space allows, with permission from the professor.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the C1 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2015).

FINAL EXAM: None.