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

  1. reflect on their own family stories;

  2. understand Christian perspectives on the family, within the context of postmodern culture;

  3. acquire pastoral skills for supporting families in the church and in the wider community;

  4. 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:
  1. Attendance at all classes for the entire time, and participation in experiential processes.

  2. 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.