Fall 2017/Online

MD575

Scott

MD575: CHILDHOOD IN GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE (4 Units: 161 Hours). David H. Scott.

DESCRIPTION: This course is a survey of the recent interdisciplinary field of Childhood Studies as a source of greater understanding for mission and ministry. It presents ways to integrate insights from theology, history, anthropology, sociology, and developmental psychology in order to consider specific topics in ministry with children such as spiritual development, the relationship between globalization and children/youth, children’s rights, and the more extreme challenges that some children and youth face globally.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will be able to: (1) analyze children and assess the social phenomenon of childhood in a given context using theological, anthropological, sociological, historical and developmental psychological theories in an interdisciplinary fashion; (2) explain the contributions of a variety of notable Christian theologians throughout the history of the Church on contemporary theological understandings of children; and (3) make recommendations for enhancing ministry and mission effectiveness based on new insights.

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.

REQUIRED READING: 1,512 pages of required reading total.

Berryman, Jerome W. Children and the Theologians: Clearing the Way for Grace. Morehouse Publishing, 2009. ISBN: 978-0819223470, Pub. Price $35.00 [276 pp. assigned].

Corsaro, W. A. The Sociology of Childhood. 4th ed. SAGE, 2013. ISBN: 978-1452205441, Pub. Price $58.00 [368 pp. assigned].

Lancy, David F. The Anthropology of Childhood: Cherubs, Chattel, Changelings. 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press, 2015. ISBN: 978-1107420984, Pub. Price $34.99 [376 pp. assigned].

Stonehouse, Catherine, and Scottie May. Listening to Children on the Spiritual Journey: Guidance for Those Who Teach and Nurture. Baker Academic, 2010. ISBN: 978-0801032363, Pub. Price $22.00 [192 pp. assigned].

Course Reader [300 pp.]

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Weekly online video lectures and other lesson materials. [15 hours].

2. 375-word weekly forum posts and responses (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #] [15 hours].

3. 250-word weekly Online Theological Interactions (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2] [10 hours].

4. 1,512 pp. of required reading [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-2] [76 hours].

5. Two 1,000 word interdisciplinary analyses of a child being studied based on at least 4 hours of observation (35%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1] [4 hours observation, 16 hours writing].

6. A 2,000 word assessment of a ministry or mission with children that you have studied that includes recommendations for enhancing their work with children based on insights from the course (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-3] [4 hours observation or interviews, 16 hours writing].

7. Final exam covering readings and lecture (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-2]. [5 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the C1 or C2 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2015).

FINAL EXAMINATION:Yes.