Winter 2015/Fuller Online

SP511

Hernandez

SP511: HENRI NOUWEN: A SPIRITUALITY OF IMPERFECTION (4 Units: 160 Hours). Wil Hernandez.

DESCRIPTION: This practical theology course focuses on the spiritual journey of Henri Nouwen—which represents the very nature of our own journey reality—with particular emphases on his integrated ministry approach and his counterintuitive brand of spirituality. First of all, it is a synthesis of Nouwen’s holistic approach to Christian formation—one that integrates spirituality, psychology, ministry, and theology together in a seamless fashion. Secondly, it is an exploration of Nouwen’s spirituality of imperfection, which he embodied throughout his lived experience—where the journey toward perfection is through the realities of imperfection. Lastly, it highlights the reality of tension amidst the existence of spiritual polarities in our journey, which Nouwen embraced in his life.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: It is hoped that by the end of the course the student will (1) be able to acquire a balanced understanding of the inward, outward, and upward nature of the spiritual journey and appropriate its reality within one’s own experience; (2) be able to embrace a more integrated understanding of such journeying experience that incorporates the coinherent realities of spirituality, psychology, ministry, and theology; (3) be exposed to Nouwen’s approach to the ministry of Christian formation with its combined spiritual, communal, and missional thrust as well as recognize its relevance and application to the local church; (4) be able to grasp in both theological and practical ways a spirituality of imperfection that Nouwen embodied himself; (5) be able to comprehend more deeply the reality of tension in our journey and learn how to befriend it in a way that results in one’s inner transformation; and (6) be able to apply the art and discipline of theological reflection in whatever ministry context one finds him/herself.

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. 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. The weekly format includes text reading, audio/video listening/viewing, threaded discussion/interaction, plus some personal/communal formational exercises, blog reports, journal reflections and small group collaborative work.

REQUIRED READING: Students are required to read 1,200 assigned pages from the required books including selected articles and essays.

Hernandez, Wil. Henri Nouwen: A Spirituality of Imperfection. Paulist Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-0809144341, Pub. Price $16.95 [155 pp. assigned].

________. Henri Nouwen and Soul Care: A Ministry of Integration. Paulist Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0809145461, Pub. Price $14.95 [104 pp. assigned].

________. Henri Nouwen and Spiritual Polarities: A Life of Tension. Paulist Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-0809147410, Pub. Price $16.95 [142 pp. assigned].

Nouwen, Henri J. M. Reaching Out: The Three Movements of the Spiritual Life. Image Books, 1975. ISBN: 978-0385236829, Pub. Price $10.95 [166 pp. assigned].

________. The Living Reminder: Service and Prayer in Memory of Jesus Christ. HarperSanFrancisco, 1977. ISBN: 978-0866839150, Pub. Price $10.00 [80 pp. assigned].

________. In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership. Crossroad, 1989. ISBN: 978-0824512590, Pub. Price $14.95 [107 pp. assigned].

Choose ONE biography:

Ford, Michael. Wounded Prophet: A Portrait of Henri J. M. Nouwen. Doubleday, 1999. ISBN: 978-0385493727, Pub. Price $23.95 [234 pp.].

O’Laughlin, Michael. God’s Beloved: A Spiritual Biography of Henri Nouwen. Orbis, 2004. ISBN: 978-1570755613, Pub. Price $16.00 [198 pp.].

Choose ONE journal:

Nouwen, Henri J. M. The Genessee Diary: Report from a Trappist Monastery. Image Books, 1989. ISBN: 978-0385174466, Pub. Price $10.95 [223 pp.].

________. ¡Gracias!: A Latin American Journal. Orbis, 1983. ISBN: 978-0883448519, Pub. Price $12.00 [188 pp.].

________. The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey. Image Books, 1988. ISBN: 978-0385416078, Pub. Price $ 12.95 [228 pp.].

________. Sabbatical Journey: The Diary of His Final Year. Crossroad, 1998. ISBN: 978-0824518783, Pub. Price $15.95 [226 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Higgins, Michael W. Genius Born of Anguish: The Life and Legacy of Henri Nouwen. Paulist Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-0809147854, Pub. Price $17.50 [160 pp.].

Nouwen, Henri J. M. with Michael J. Christensen and Rebecca J. Laird. Spiritual Formation: Following the Movements of the Spirit. HarperOne, 2010. ISBN: 978-0061686122, Pub. Price $25.99 [161 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT

  1. Audio-Video Listening/Viewing/Threaded Discussion/Interaction (30%) – Involves responses to

1-2 discussion prompt questions per week (200-250 word weekly forum posts; 2-3 interactive posts, 150-200 words each post). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1-5]. [40 hours online activity: reading/viewing/posting].

  1. 1,200 pp. of required reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1-6]. [60 hours].

  2. Personal Journal Reflections based on three course segment highlights (12%) – Consists of 3

entries of 1-page each following a prescribed Lectio template (about 250-300 words max each entry). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1-5] [12 hours of synthesis work].

  1. Blog Reports (18%) - Based on 2 formational exercises, 1 Nouwen journal, 1 Nouwen biography. (400-500 words max each post). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 3-4] [10-12 hours preparing/reading & writing].

  2. Small Group Collaborative Work (15%) – Based upon reading/interaction with In the Name of Jesus. [This assignment is related to learning outcome # 3] [14-16 hours of individual/group preparation, interaction and report].

  3. Four-page Theological Reflection Case Study Worksheet (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome # 6]. [4 hours preparation & writing].

  4. Eight-page Integration Paper focusing on spirituality’s coherence with either psychology, ministry, or theology (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes # 1 & 2]. [14-16 hours of preparation & writing].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets Spirituality requirement (SP2; SPIR) in MA programs; meets 144 MDiv requirement in General Ministry (MIN 1).

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.

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