Fuller Online
MN520: Summer 2012
Accornero

MN520: ENCOUNTERING THE CITY (4 units)
Christina T. Accornero, Affiliate Professor of Intercultural Studies


DESCRIPTION:

We live in a rapidly urbanizing world. We need to move toward understanding our increasingly urban world, understanding our own responses and fears as we encounter this world, and seeing how God is at work in our urban world. This two-week course explores these dynamics, introducing various lenses for seeing the city, tools for "exegeting" the city environment and exploring the church's response to the urban context.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
  1. Develop skills to encounter and interpret the city in its peoples.

  2. Learn to think missiologically about the city.

  3. Develop increased understanding that ministry is the work of God in and through us.

COURSE FORMAT:
Conducted online, the ten weekly lessons align with Fuller's academic calendar. The course involves input from the professor, readings, and various forms of media. Each week, students and the instructor will interact with the material through journaling, threaded discussions, and research.

REQUIRED READING: Total: 1,500 pages of reading. 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 instructor.
Boyle, Father Greg. Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion. Free Press, 2010. ISBN: 9781439153154. Retail $14.00.

Fetterman, David. Ethnography Step by Step. Sage, 2009. ISBN: 9781412950439. Retail $34.95.

Fikkert, Brian, and Steve Corbett. When Helping Hurts: Alleviating Poverty Without Hurting the Poor . . . and Yourself. Zondervan, 2009. ISBN: 9780802457059. Retail $14.99.

Gmelch, Geroge, Robert Kemper, and Walter Zenner. Urban Life: Readings in the Anthropology of the City. 5th ed. Waveland Press, Inc., 2010. ISBN: 9781577666349. Retail $33.95.

Tiersma, Jude, and Charles Van Engen. God So Loves the City. Wipf and Stock, 2009. ISBN: 9780912552866. Retail $21.95.

One urban ethnography reflecting student's ministry context (suggested list will be available).

ASSIGNMENTS: One integrative book report (500-750 words), several short reflection papers (500 words each) and a major project applying the skills learned in the course (2500-3500 words).

PREREQUISITES: None. No audits.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Meets the MDiv core requirement in Missions (MIN8). Meets the Globalization (GLBL) requirement for MA in Theology Program.

FINAL EXAM: None.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (April 2012)