Spring 2014/Fuller Online

MN534

Hendrickson

MN534: COMPLEX URBAN ENVIRONMENTS (4 Units). Craig Hendrickson.

DESCRIPTION: The rapid pace of urbanization in our world today makes cities the primary focus of mission for the twenty-first century. This course examines how macro forces such as urbanization, migration, and globalization, as well as the dynamics of race, ethnicity, class, and gender, shape and are shaped by urban space. Utilizing this understanding, appropriate ministry responses to effectively engage these dynamics will be explored.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) develop awareness of the cultural and spiritual tools they utilize to interpret their sociocultural environment, (2) acquire knowledge of the various racial and cultural narratives present in complex urban environments, as well as the skills to become lifelong culture learners, (3) learn tools to exegete complex urban environments and to form contextually appropriate ministry responses to engage those environments.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar. 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. It does not demand class meetings at a particular time. It will consist of course readings, lecture notes, active discussions, and written personal reflection.

REQUIRED READING: (1500 pages) If you have previously read any of the required texts, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading list or a book approved by the instructors.

Cornell, Stephen, and Douglas Hartmann. Ethnicity and Race: Making Identities in a Changing World. 2nd ed. Pine Forge Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-1412941105, Pub. Price $64.00 [311 pp. assigned].

Emerson, Michael O., Christian Smith. Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America. Oxford University Press, 2001. ISBN: 978-0195147070, Pub. Price $19.99 [224 pp.].

Gottdiener, Mark, and Ray Hutchison. The New Urban Sociology. Fourth ed. Westview Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0813344256, Pub. Price $44.00 [435 pp. assigned].

Smith, David W., Seeking a City With Foundations: Theology for an Urban World. InterVarsity Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-1844745319, Pub. Price $35.30 [272 pp.].

Class Reader, Various Authors, on eReserves.

Choose ONE of the Following:

Emerson, Michael. People of the Dream: Multiracial Congregations in the United States. Princeton University Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-0691136271, Pub. Price $26.95 [261 pp. assigned] OR

Greenberg, Ken. Walking Home: The Life and Lessons of a City Builder. Winnipeg Free Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0307358158, Pub. Price $21.00 [384 pp. assigned] OR

Gornik, Mark R., To Live in Peace: Biblical Faith and the Changing Inner City. Eerdmans, 2002. ISBN: 978-0802846853, Pub. Price $16.36 [261 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Conn, Harvie M., and Manuel Ortiz. Urban Ministry: The Kingdom, the City & the People of God. InterVarsity Press, 2001. ISBN: 978-0830815737, Pub. Price $19.98 [527 pp.].

Livermore, David A. Cultural Intelligence: Improving Your CQ to Engage Our Multicultural World. Baker Academic, 2009. ISBN: 978-0801035890, Pub. Price $22.99.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Students will engage in weekly discussion threads with other students tied to the weekly readings (40% of final grade).

2. Students with participate in a journey of cultural formation with members of their online learning cohort by constructing and posting their cultural autobiography (1250-1500 words), and interacting with others’ cultural stories to explore how their theological values and assumptions, social interactions, and leadership practices are influenced by their culture (20% of final grade).

3. FINAL Project: 2000-2500 word paper exploring a city/topic pertaining to the frameworks learned in class, with implications for ministry in a multi-cultural setting (40% of final grade).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets Ethnicity requirement (ETHN) for SOT MA (Winter 2010).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.