Winter 2016/Fuller Live!

Houston, Menlo Park, Pasadena

MN533

Salvatierra

MN533: ORGANIZING URBAN COMMUNITIES FOR TRANSFORMATION (4 Units: 164 Hours). Alexia Salvatierra.

DESCRIPTION: The course is designed to introduce the student to the principles and methodologies of community organizing as a way to engage churches in community transformation. Students will learn about the process of bringing urban residents together to address injustice and create more effective and humane systems and structures as well as the particular role and potential contribution of the church to this process. Various models of community organizing, including faith-based and faith-rooted efforts, will be examined. Students will also understand the biblical and theological mandate for community transformation as part of a holistic mission strategy. Each student will develop a strategy for engagement applicable to their mission and ministry context based on an actual community analysis project.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completing of this course, the student will: (1) Appreciate the knowledge base of community organizing practice, particularly the new developments in the field that are “faith-rooted”; (2) understand the major tasks, processes, issues, and technologies of organizing, in particular faith-rooted organizing; (3) identify the analytical, political, and interactional skills necessary for community organizing; (4) develop a conceptual framework for community transformation practice rooted in biblical and theological principles related to holistic mission; and (5) gain practical guidelines and experience for conducting a community assessment in the context of the mission of a local church as a basis for organizing.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets on five Saturdays for eight-hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom for lecture and discussion.

REQUIRED READING: 1,342 pages of required reading. If you have previously read any of the required texts, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading or a book approved by the instructors.

Alinsky, Saul. Tratado Para Radicales: Manual Para Revolucionarios Pragmáticos. Traficantes de Sueños; 1ªed., 1ªimp. edition, 2012. ISBN: 978-8496453715, Pub. Price $17.99 [208 pp.].

Castells, Manuel. Movimientos Sociales Urbanos. Siglo XXI, 1998. ISBN: 978-9682304071, Pub. Price $16.99 [144 pp.].

Freire, Paulo. Pedagogia de la Esperanza: Un Reencuentro con la Pedagogia del Oprimido. Siglo XXI, 2011. ISBN: 978-6070302985, Pub. Price $31.95 [232 pp.].

Núñez, Emilio. Teologia de la Liberacion: Una Perspectiva Evangelica. Caribe/Betania Editores, 1988. ISBN: 978-0899222424, Pub. Price $26.00 [266 pp.]

Padilla, René & Yamamori, Tetsunao. La Iglesia Local Como Agente de Transformación. Una Eclesiología Para la Misión Integral. Kairós, 2005. ISBN: 978-9879403532, Pub. Price $17.00 [284 pp.].

Salvatierra, Alexia and Peter Heltzel. Faith-Rooted Organizing: Mobilizing the Church in Service to the World. IVP, 2013. ISBN: 978-0830836611, Pub. Price $16.00 [208 pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Block, Peter. Community: The Structure of Belonging. Berrett-Koehler, 2009. ISBN: 978-1605092775, Pub. Price $21.95 [264 pp.].

Bonino, José Míguez. Poder Del Evangelio Y Poder Político. Ediciones Kairos, 2005. ISBN: 978-9879403006, Pub. Price $6.00 [72 pp.].

Gonzalez, Justo L. Hechos / Acts (Conozca Su Biblia). Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 1988. ISBN: 978-0806680705, Pub. Price $15.00 [192 pp.].

Gutierrez, Gustavo. The Power of the Poor in History. Wipf & Stock Publishers, 2004. ISBN: 978-1592449804, Pub. Price $28.00 [Part I ].

Freedman, Samuel G. Upon This Rock: The Miracles of a Black Church. Harper Perennial, 1994. ISBN: 978-0060924591, Pub. Price $15.99 [384 pp.].

Linthicum, Robert. Transforming Power: Biblical Strategies for Making a Difference in Your Community. InterVarsity Press, 2003. ISBN: 978-0830832286, Pub. Price $18.00 [216 pp.].

Miller, Mike. Community Organizing: A Brief Introduction. Euclid Avenue Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-0615623214, Pub. Price $6.50 [64 pp.].

Myers, Bryant. Caminar con los Pobres: Manuel Teórico-Práctico de Desarrollo Transformador. 2a ed. Ediciones. Kairós, 2005. ISBN: 978-9879403785, Pub. Price $19.20 [289 pp.].

Navarro, Silvia, ed. Redes Sociales Y Construcción Comunitaria. Editorial CCS, 2008. ISBN: 978-8483167410, Pub. Price $24.95 [360 pp.]

Taylor, Adam. Mobilizing Hope: Faith-inspired Activism for a Post-Civil Rights Generation. InterVarsity, 2010. ISBN: 978-0830838370, Pub. Price $18.00 [Chaps 1,2 &10]. 

Slessarev-Jamir, Helene. Prophetic Activism: Progressive Religious Justice Movements in Contemporary America. New York University Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0814783856, Pub. Price $30.00 [Chaps 2,4 & 5].

Smock, Kristina. Democracy in Action: Community Organizing and Urban Change. Columbia University Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-0231126731, Pub. Price $34.00 [260 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 1,342 pp. of required reading [67 hours].

2. Directed Learning Activity (The course practicum).  Each student will choose an organization in their neighborhood which is involved in the transformation of the community.  The student’s tasks will include interviews with a professional organizer and a volunteer leader in the organization.  Each student will also participate in a public action/activity of the organization.  Each student will complete a document which contains a report describing these interviews and activity and an analysis of the organization in the context of the material in the course readings and lectures.  This document is due 2/28.  During the final session, the students will give presentations to the class about their organization and their analysis, exploring how their church/ministry might be able to participate, support or improve this organization’s work, offering the unique contributions of their Christian faith to their common goal. (35%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4 &#5]. [57 hours].

3. Strategic Application Papers. Five 750-word papers (double-spaced), which apply the content of the reading materials to a specific component of the organizing process in relationship to their local context and ministry (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-3]. [7 hours].

4. A Course Reflection Paper. A 750-word (double-spaced) paper on the entire learning experience, including the impact on their existing/future ministry. (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4]. [3 hours].

5. Class attendance and participation. Engagement in class discussion is expected of all students (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5]. [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the C2 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2015). Option to meet requirement in the International Development and Urban Studies emphasis.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.