Summer 2006/Pasadena
Two-week Intensive: July 17-28
CN568
Fleming Drane/Drane
CN568: THEOLOGICAL & PASTORAL PERSPECTIVES ON THE CONTEMPORARY FAMILY.
Olive M. Fleming Drane & John Drane.
DESCRIPTION: This course examines perceptions of the family within the
Christian tradition, and their relationship to wider cultural concerns in a
variety of different historical and contemporary settings.
COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will
- reflect on their own family stories;
- understand Christian perspectives on the family, within the context of
postmodern culture;
- acquire pastoral skills for supporting families in the church and in the
wider community;
- develop skills in listening and theological reflection in partnership with
other people of both genders and diverse ethnicities.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Understanding our own experience of family and
empathizing with the experience of others is a fundamental part of effective
Christian life and ministry.
COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet in four-hour sessions daily for two weeks,
with the exception of Fridays July 21 and 28. Class meetings will include
plenaries, experiential process, role play, and audio-visuals.
REQUIRED READING:
- Anderson, Herbert, and Don Browning et al. The Family
Handbook. Westminster John Knox, 1998.
- Barton, Stephen C., ed. The Family in Theological Perspective. T
& T Clark, 1996.
- Browning, Don S. Marriage & Modernization: How Globalization
Threatens Marriage, and What to Do About It. Eerdmans, 2003.
- Drane, John, and Olive M. Fleming Drane. Family Fortunes: Faith-Full
Caring for Today's Families. Darton, Longman & Todd, 2004.
- Fleming Drane, Olive M. Spirituality to Go: Rituals and Reflections for
Everyday Living. Darton, Longman & Todd, 2006.
- Course Reader.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Coupland, Douglas. All Families Are Psychotic. Flamingo
2001.
- Garland, Diana R. Family Ministry: A Comprehensive Guide.
InterVarsity Press, 1999.
- Gittins, Diana. The Family in Question. 2nd ed. Macmillan, 1993.
- Ruether, Rosemary Radford. Christianity and the Making of the Modern
Family. Beacon Press, 2000.
- Westerhoff, John H. Will our Children have Faith? 2nd ed. Morehouse,
2000.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Attendance at all classes for the entire time, and participation in
experiential processes.
- Written work: (a) a personal course journal, including reflections on
students' own family of origin; (b) a paper or field-work study of 12-15 pages
on a subject relevant to the concerns of the course. Each piece counts for 50%
of the final grade, and both pieces must be submitted to gain a grade.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Fulfills concentration requirements in
Family Life Education in MDiv and in MA in Family Life Education.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.