Fall 2004/Pasadena
SP517
Branson
SP517: SPIRITUALITY AND EVERYDAY LIFE. Mark Lau Branson.
DESCRIPTION:
- Spirituality has to do with receiving and participating in avenues
of relationship between ourselves and God. We can encounter the large
narratives of creation, redemption, and eschaton in the daily activities which
are in the context of cultures and societies. Some regular practices are known
to be "spiritual" -prayer, scripture reading, worship. Additionally, our daily
activities at home, work, and play, the ways we relate to creation, world,
cultures, and neighborhood, and our interaction with media and arts are all
significant in our "spiritual" lives. The choices we make, the perceptions we
nurture, and the practices we develop directly impact our relationship with God
and our participation in the Holy Spirit's initiatives in and around
us.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Cognitive: Clarify concepts about Christian spirituality with
attention to the relationship between corporate and personal aspects. Skills:
Practice some classic disciplines, explore reflection exercises. Affective:
encourage an attentiveness to the relationship between the mundane and the holy
and a commitment to personal and corporate aspects of Christian
spirituality.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The class will meet for two-hour sessions, twice weekly, for ten
weeks. Class times will include lectures, individual and group exercises, and
reflective discussions of materials and experiences. Assignments will include
readings, meditation, conversations, retreat, and reflective writing.
REQUIRED READING:
- Chittister, Joan. Wisdom Distilled from the Daily: Living the
Rule of St. Benedict Today. HarperCollins, 1990.
- De Waal, Esther. Every Earthly Blessing: Rediscovering the Celtic
Tradition. Moorhouse, 1991.
- Kenneson, Philip. Life on the Vine: Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit
in Christian Community. InterVarsity Press, 1999.
- Class Reader.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Balswick, Judith and Boni Piper. Life Ties: Cultivating
Relationships that Make Life Worth Living. InterVarsity Press, 1995.
- Banks, Robert. God the Worker. Judson, 1994.
- Bass, Dorothy. Receiving the Day. Jossey-Bass, 2000.
- Berry, Wendell. In the Presence of Fear. Orion, 2001.
- Clapp, R., ed. The Consuming Passion: Christianity & the Consumer
Culture. InterVarsity, 1998.
- Norris, Kathleen. The Quotidian Mysteries: Laundry, Liturgy, and
"Women's Work". Paulist, 1998.
- Wadell, Paul. Becoming Friends. Brazos, 2002.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- (1) Attend and participate in all classes. (2) Complete all reading
assignments on time. (3) Write a personal spiritual autobiography (1000 word).
(4) Write a 600-word review and reflection on each of the three textbooks. (5)
Select from options (cinemas, novels, topical small group, mission service
project) to integrate course materials and write a 600-word reflection paper.
(6) Complete a 1-day spiritual retreat and reflective report (600 words); (7)
Term project: Choose one topic from readings and lectures for additional
reading (200 pp. min.) and reflection. Write a 1600 word paper that indicates
interaction with class, texts, Bible, additional readings, at least two
conversations with other Christians, and your personal reflections. (8)
Students pursuing an A read an additional 200 pages, write reflective review,
additional selection from #5, above.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the Spirituality (SPIR) requirement for M.A.
degrees.
- FINAL EXAMINATION: None.