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. The 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.

1. gain an introductory understanding of urbanology: the city, its people, and its systems;

2. acquaint themselves with a wide array of urban leaders;

3. 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;

4. examine differing viewpoints on community development and conflict;

5. orient and motivate themselves for an urban ministries program;

6. familiarize themselves with possible placements and practica in urban ministry.

The course will meet once a week for three hours of lectures and discussions.

Stout, Federic and Richard T. LeGates. 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.

1. Reading assignments to be completed before each class.

2. Four short papers (no more than two pages each) following instructions given in class.

3. Minimum of ten hours of community volunteer work.

4. A final paper following instructions given in class.

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