Summer 2006/Pasadema
Two-week Intensive: August 14-25
YF516
Main

YF516: URBAN CHILDREN & TEENS: UNDERSTANDING, EQUIPPING, EMPOWERING. Bruce Main.


DESCRIPTION: This course seeks to understand the unique and critical issues impacting the social, intellectual, and spiritual development of children and teens growing up in under-resourced urban communities. It will also engage students to construct a theology of youth development that views urban youth as people who can become agents of transformation in their own communities and true participants in a broader world community. Practical dimensions of the class will include evaluating various urban youth ministries and designing viable and effective ministry programs that can be integrated into neighborhood-based churches or para-church ministries.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students participating in this course will (1) develop a methodology for assessing and understanding the social, economic, political, and cultural distinctiveness of a place of ministry; (2) learn to assess the potential impact of poverty, sustained violence, nihilism, and inferior educational opportunities on the development of urban children and teens; (3) learn to critique existing models of urban ministry and understand the theological underpinnings that guide and influence their ministry practice; (4) design ministry models and programs that will enhance the social, intellectual, and spiritual development of young people from under-resourced communities--such as after-school programs, leadership development programs, micro-enterprise businesses, alternative educational opportunities; (5) research potential funding sources and develop viable funding proposals.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: There are numerous churches and ministry organizations in under-resourced urban communities that have lost their ability to reach neighborhood youth or lack the resources to create dynamic programs that confront the most pressing social issues influencing the development of young people in their community. The body of Christ forfeits the opportunity to significantly equip and empower a generation of intelligent, passionate, biblically-grounded young leaders when it fails to engage in the task of thinking and envisioning creative ministries that capture the hearts and minds of disenfranchised young people.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet daily for four-hour sessions. Lectures, class discussion, evaluation of church and para-church urban ministry models, and peer-led presentations.

REQUIRED READING:

Anderson, Elijah. Code of the Streets: Decency, Violence, and the Moral Life of the Inner City. New York: W.W. Norton, 1999.

Coles, Robert, et. al. The Ongoing Journey: Awakening Spiritual Life in At-Risk Youth: Essays of Inspiration and Wisdom from Across Cultures. Nebraska: Boys Town, 1995.

Garbarino, Dubrow, and Pardo Kostelny. Children in Danger: Coping with the Consequences of Community Violence. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1992.

Gornik, Mark. To Live in Peace: Biblical Faith and the Changing Inner City. Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans, 2002.

RECOMMENDED READING: Supplied upon request.

ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Daily quizzes on assigned readings (20%). (2) Three 2-4 page reflection papers (30%). (3) Written 5-7 grant proposal (20%). (4) Final project/Oral Presentation 8-10 pages (30%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Fulfills concentration requirements in Youth, Family, and Culture in MDiv and in MA in Youth, Family, and Culture.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.