Winter 2005/Pasadena
TM520
Colletti
TM520: CHURCH-BASED URBAN RESEARCH: PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES. Joseph
Colletti.
DESCRIPTION:
- A congregation needs to understand its social and cultural context
and its own character and identity in relationship to its surrounding
community. Any urban environment can be described in terms of demographics,
organizations, present-day activities, historical events, networks, economics,
political structures, and how churches embody certain characteristics and
engage their community. Research tools and resources will be explored and
implemented by students in selected geographic settings. Special attention will
be given to congregational involvement in homeless prevention.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Concepts: ecclesiology and missiology regarding church
interface with the world, and theory concerning quantitative and qualitative
research. Skills: quantitative and qualitative research in congregations
and nearby communities and report development and use. Conation:
commitment and habits accentuating church development and redevelopment, and
congregational outreach to a community.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions, for ten weeks.
Class times will include lectures, individual and group exercises, modeling,
web demonstrations, and reflective discussions of materials and experiences.
Students will also work individually and in groups outside of class.
REQUIRED READING:
- Branson, Mark Lau. Memories, Hopes, and Conversations:
Appreciative Inquiry and Congregational Change. Herndon, VA: Alban
Institute, 2004.
- Dudley, Carl. Community Ministry. Washington, DC: Alban Institute,
2001.
- Ammerman, Nancy T., ed. Studying Congregations: A New Handbook.
Nashville, Abingdon, 1998.
- Course Reader.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Attend, read materials on schedule, and participate in class.
- A brief theological reflection paper (500 words) on the readings due each
week.
- "Neighborhood Description of a Local Congregation" paper that focuses on
the landscape and social capital that surround the congregation (700 words).
- "Neighborhood Description of a Local Congregation" paper that focuses on
the demographics that surround the congregation (700 words).
- "A Brief Missional History of a Local Congregation" paper (1200 words).
- "Applied Research" final paper, drawing on entire course, to show ways a
congregation becomes active in the City of Pasadena Public and Private Homeless
Prevention Initiative (3000 words).
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.