Spring 2007/Pasadena
YF506
Lloyd

YF506: URBAN YOUTH MINISTRY. Larry J. Lloyd.


DESCRIPTION: This course begins with a definition of urban and the need for middle-class investigators to be sensitized to poverty, racism, and classism. It proceeds with an analysis of urban realities and the subcultures of urban youth. Issues of gangs, drugs, crime, pregnancy, and welfare will be considered before dealing with social strategies and responses of youth leaders.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will

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

  2. evaluate an existing urban youth ministry for effectiveness;

  3. be introduced to former gang members to understand the current issues facing youth and violence;

  4. familiarize themselves with the hip-hop culture and how it influences ministry to youth;

  5. acquaint themselves with diverse urban youth leaders and their ministries as proposed models for ministry.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Students will be introduced to ministry resources unique to urban practitioners.

COURSE FORMAT: Lectures, optional field trips to urban programs, talking with gang members and urban youth, class presentations, general and small group discussions, intensive reading and research will provide students with a realistic overview of urban youth ministry. The course will meet weekly for three-hour sessions.

REQUIRED READING:
Conn, Harvie M., and Manuel Ortiz. Urban Ministry: The Kingdom, the City & the People of God. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2001.

Jones, Tony. Postmodern Youth Ministry: Exploring Cultural Shift, Cultivating Authentic Community, Creating Holistic Connections. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2001.

King, Mike. Presence-Centered Youth Ministry: Guiding Students into Spiritual Formation. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.

Smith, Efrem, and Phil Jackson. The Hip-Hop Church: Connecting with the Movement Shaping Our Culture. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Decker, Scott H., and Barrik Van Winkle. Life in the Gang: Family, Friends and Violence. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1996.

Parker, Matthew, and Eugene Seals, eds. Planting Seeds of Hope: How to Reach a New Generation of African Americans with the Gospel. The Institute for Black Family Development, 1998.

Stevenson, D., and Barbara L. Schneider. The Ambitious Generation: American's Teenagers, Motivated but Directionless. Yale University Press, 1999.

Syllabus will provide bibliography for additional resources.

ASSIGNMENTS: In addition to readings, students will
  1. keep and submit a personal journal (20%);

  2. do community research of a given target area and write a 7-10 page paper on that research (40%);

  3. evaluate or plan a youth program in a 7-10 page paper (40%). Students and professor will attend an urban youth service at a church in Los Angeles.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Meets the MA Globalization requirement (GLBL). Satisfies requirements for Youth, Family and Culture concentration in MDiv, MA in Youth, Family and Culture, and MACL (Youth, Family and Culture).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.