Fuller Online

FS510: Winter 2013

DeWitt Goudelock

FS510: HUMAN DEVELOPMENT IN CONTEXT. Brianne DeWitt Goudelock (4 units)

DESCRIPTION: This course provides an integrated overview of the process of human development in various social contexts. We will address psychological, cultural, and theological perspectives on the nature of personal and social development as we seek to answer the question, “What is God’s intention for persons to develop into?” Development will be explored from the poles of flourishing and languishing as informed by humankind’s origin in God. A life-span approach will explore core areas of identity development including moral/faith, gender and sexuality, family, and cultural/ethnicity. Students will also reflect on their own life experiences in light of the course content.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will

  1. be able to design ministry practices that take into consideration critical life span issues of human nature and functioning;

  2. be able to identify individual, familial, community and cultural resources and risks that influence flourishing and languishing;

  3. demonstrate appropriate and nuanced understanding of age, gender, economic, ethnic, and cultural diversity; and

  4. identify personal issues that may impact their own well-being and will design an action plan to begin addressing them.

RELATIONSHIP TO SEMINARY LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will be

  1. engaged in the study of Bible, theology, and spirituality in a way that contributes to their following their vocation;
  2. attentive to the diverse nature of the church and the world and practiced in engaging with it; and
  3. equipped to pursue their vocation.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will be conducted online using a 10-week lesson program aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar. Online discussion, readings, projects, and papers will facilitate course objectives. Students are expected to complete all assigned readings and participate in all discussions. All assignments must be completed to pass the course and regular interaction is expected.

REQUIRED READING:

Albom, M. (1997). Tuesdays with Morrie: An old man, a young man, and life’s greatest lesson. New York: Doubleday. ISBN: 076790592X. $13.99

Angelou, M. (1983). I know why the caged bird sings. New York: Bantam. ISBN: 0553279378. $6.99

Balswick, J. O., King, P. E., & Reimer K. S. (2005). The reciprocating self: Human development in theological perspective. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. ISBN: 978-0830827930. $27.00.

Balswick, J. O., & Balswick, J. K. (2008). The family: A Christian perspective on the home. (3rd ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books. ISBN: 978-0801032493. $24.99 (Note: only excerpts of this book will be read and will be available on course website).

Course Reader (available on course Moodle site).

Online sexual abuse prevention training, $10 charge, on the Darkness to Light website: http://www.d2l.org/site/c.4dICIJOkGcISE/b.6035035/k.8258/Prevent_Child_Sexual_Abuse.htm

ASSIGNMENTS: Regular online class discussion/participation, ministry application forums, journal assignments (including personal reflections, theological/intercultural reflections, online sexual abuse prevention training, and case studies), and group leadership of course discussion.

PREREQUISITES: None. This course is not recommended for SOP students.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets Seminary Core Requirement (SCR) for MATM, MAICS, MAFS, MACL (effective Winter 2010).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification.