Fall 2003/Pasadena
GM518
Colletti
GM518: INTRODUCTION TO URBAN STUDIES. Joe Colletti.
DESCRIPTION:
- The purpose of the class is to challenge each student's perspective
of the city. The Instructor will expose the class to a wide variety of topics,
theories, and methods that relate to the field of urban studies. Instructor
will also relate all of the class materials to central themes and issues
confronting Christianity today. Students will interact with professionals who
are involved in urban life such as elected officials, law enforcement
administrators, social service agency representatives, etc. Such persons will
be guest lecturers and panelists who along with the instructor will integrate
social responsibility and religion from various points of view. Perspectives
will include local politics, business and economics, health and human services,
law enforcement, community relations, demographics, and arts and
leisure.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Students will:
- gain an introductory understanding of urbanology: the city, its people, and
its systems;
- acquaint themselves with a wide array of urban leaders;
- familiarize themselves with the three major sectors of urban life--private,
government, and voluntary (non-profit)--as they contribute to our understanding
of the processes of urban continuity, growth, and decay;
- examine differing viewpoints on community development and conflict;
- orient and motivate themselves for an urban ministries program;
- familiarize themselves with possible placements and practica in urban
ministry.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The course will meet once a week for three hours of lectures and
discussions.
REQUIRED READING:
- Stout, Federic and LeGates, Richard T. The City Reader. 2nd
ed. Routledge, 2000.
- Driskill, Joseph D. Protestant Spiritual Exercises: Theology, History,
and Practice. Morehouse Publishing, 1999.
- Harmer, Catherine M. The Compassionate Community: Strategies that Work
for the Third Millennium. Orbis Books, 1998.
- Course Reader complied by instructor.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Reading assignments to be completed before each class.
- Four short papers (no more than two pages each) following instructions
given in class.
- Minimum of ten hours of community volunteer work.
- A final paper following instructions given in class.
PREREQUISITES:
- None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Meets M. Div. core requirement in Missions (MIN8) and the
requirement in Globalization (GLBL) for M.A. degrees.
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- None.