DESCRIPTION:

This course explores the challenges of empowering the poor in a world marked by marginalization, disempowerment, abuse and injustice. Poverty is explored from a number of perspectives, concluding with a biblical framework. Responses to poverty are then explored, including the goals of transformational development and the process and principles by which it is pursued. The focus is largely on development in the global South.

1. Able to articulate and critically apply biblical and holistic understanding of poverty in broad Christian perspective

2. Able to describe and critically assess some of the current theories of development

3. Able to articulate and critically apply a biblical and holistic understanding of transformational development

4. Introductory knowledge of development principles and practice

Conducted online, the ten weekly lessons align with Fuller's academic calendar. The course involves reading, writing, research, and weekly interactive discussion with other students and the instructor.

1. Myers, Bryant. Walking with the Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development. Orbis, 1999. ISBN 9781570752759, Publisher's Price $26.00.

2. Christian, Jayakumar. God of the Empty-Handed: Poverty, Power and the Kingdom of God. Monrovia: MARC, 1999. (Electronic copy on CD available, with permission from publisher, in the bookstore.)

3. Friedmann, John. Empowerment: The Politics of Alternative Development. Blackwell, 1992, ISBN 9781557862990. Publisher's Price $41.95.

4. Moser, Caroline, and Andy Norton. "To Claim Our Rights: Livelihood Security, Food Security and Sustainable Development." Overseas Development Institute, 2001 (Available through ODI website http://www.odi.org.uk.)

5. Centesimus Annus (click on Encyclicals at http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/).

6. Populorum Progressio, at http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_2031967_populorum_en.html.

7. Redemptoris Missio (click on Encyclicals at http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/).

8. UN Millennium Development Project 2005. Investing in Development: A Practical Plan to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals: Overview. UNDP, 2005.

9. Hiebert, Paul, et al. Understanding Folk Religion. Baker Books, 1999. (Chapters 1-4). ISBN 9780801022197. Publisher's Price $34.00.

10. Narayan, Deepa, et al. Voices of the Poor: Crying Out for Change. Oxford University Press, 2000. (Chapters 1-2.) ISBN 9780195216028. Publisher's Price $15.00.

11. Sen, Amartya. Development as Freedom. Knopf 1999. (Introduction and chapters 1-4.) ISBN 9780375406195. Publisher's price $17.00.

12. All articles in the Course Reader.

Christian Community Development Association (USA): http://www.urbanministry.org/ccda

Center for Global Development (USA): http://www.cgdev.org

Institute for Development Studies (UK): http://www.ids.ac.uk

Institute for Sustainable Development (Canada): http://www.iisd.org

PovertyNet (World Bank): http://www.worldbank.org/poverty

INTRAC (UK): http://www.intrac.org

1. A written 4-5 page critical assessment paper using course materials and course reading covered in the first five weeks of the course.

2. Students, in groups of 4-6, will participate in weekly discussion forums. Additionally, each group will create wiki pages summarizing various organizations' understanding and approach to poverty and development.

3. 12- to 15-page research paper on a topic related to the course, agreed to by the professor.

4. ThM students write an additional five-page theological reflection.