Spring 2017/Fuller Online

ML519

Villacorta

ML519: Dynamics of Power and Gender in Christian Leadership (4 Units: 160 Hours). Wilmer G. Villacorta.

DESCRIPTION: The dynamics of power and gender in leadership are inherent to the human experience expressed in interpersonal and professional relationships. A misconstrued paradigm of power can create explosive blend of spiritual and social expectations. Therefore, an understanding of and implications for how power and gender dynamics intersect with ethnic identity is critical for any leader desiring to effectively influence in the church or other organizational context. This course will explore these dynamics in an inter-disciplinary approach with attention given to theological, historical, social and scriptural perspectives. The course will guide students through a process of reflection identifying their power assumptions originating from their personal narrative and rooted in longstanding paradigms informed by the complexity of power and gender/ethnic relationships. Through the use of seminal perspectives and constructive social and spiritual disciplines, students will have the opportunity to integrate a plan for effectively leading others.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon the successful completion of the course, student will (1) be able to explain theological perspectives on the issue of power and its implications for ministry; (2) describe historical and sociological dimensions concerning power, gender and ethnic diversity; (3) describe scriptural passages, theological implications and case studies on gender roles/ethnic diversity; (4) assess the current debates on gender; and (5) identify new perspectives and disciplines to break old paradigms of understanding power that threaten spiritual life and ministry.

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. Each week students and the instructor will interact with the material through reading, journaling, online threaded discussions and other assignments that promote active and peer learning. The sessions include a time of spiritual formation as well as inputs in an interdisciplinary approach dealing with key concepts on power, social relationships and leadership.

REQUIRED READING: Approximately 1300 pages (70 hours) from the following texts:

Crouch, Andy. Playing God: Redeeming the Gift of Power. InterVarsity Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-0830837656, Pub. Price $25.00 (Kindle: $10) [280 pp. required].

James, Carolyn Custis. Malestrom: Manhood Swept into the Currents of a Changing World. Zondervan, 2015. ISBN: 978-0310325574, Pub. Price $18.99 (Kindle: $4) [210 pp. required].

Lee-Barnewall, Michelle. Neither Complementarian nor Egalitarian: A Kingdom Corrective to the Evangelical Gender Debate. Baker Academic, 2016. ISBN: 978-0801039577, Pub. Price $22.99 (Kindle: $13) [240 pp. required].

Rah, Soong-Cha. Many Colors: Cultural Intelligence for a Change Church. Moody Publishers, 2010. ISBN: 978-0802450487, Pub. Price $14.99 (Kindle: $10) [210 pp. required].

Tucker, Ruth A. Extraordinary Women of Christian History: What We Can Learn from Their Struggles and Triumphs. Baker Publishing Group, 2016.ISBN: 978-080101672, Pub. Price $16.99 [256 pp. required].

Supplemental reading packet in the Moodle course shell; eReserves include required and recommended readings. [105 pages assigned].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Fee, Gordon, ed. Discovering Biblical Equality: Complementarity without Hierarchy. InterVarsity Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0830828340, Pub. Price $36.00 (Kindle: $22).

Johnson, Alan F. How I Changed My Mind about Women in Leadership. Zondervan, 2010. ISBN: 978-0310293156, Pub. Price: $16.99 (Kindle: $7).

ASSIGNMENTS & ASSESSMENT: 

1. Complete the 1,300 pages of required reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, #2 and #3] [70 hours].

2. View course video/MP4 lectures and other course documents. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, #2 and #3] [20 hours].

3. Participate in ten weekly forums on course concepts (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #4 and #5] [20 hours].

   1. For weeks 1-7 and 10, post initially 250-word response (10%) [8 hours].

   2. For weeks 1-7 and 10, interact with 250-word replies in weekly forums (10%). [8 hours].

   3. For weeks 8-9, share perspectives and disciplines in peer interaction (real-time) (5%). [4 hours].

4. Reflect dynamically on the readings (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1 and 2] [10 hours].

   1. Write five 300-word book forum interactions (2% each, 10% total) [4 hours].

   2. Write five 350-word book reading report/application (3% each, 15% total) [6 hours].

5. Write a 4,500-word final paper—an integrated plan for change (50%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #3, #4 and #5]. [40 hours].

   1. Write seven weekly online learning activities on relate themes of power relations with gender and ethnic diversity which will inform the final integrated plan for change. (35%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #3 and #4] [30 hours].

   2. Write ten weekly reflective journals interacting with spiritual formation inputs as they relate to issues of power in tandem with gender diversity and/or ethnic identity. (15%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1 and #5] [10 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None. However, because of the importance placed on regular online learning activities and/or group interactions, this course may not be audited or taken pass/fail without prior permission of the instructor.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the C5 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2015).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.