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
- gain an introductory understanding of urbanology, the city, its people, and
its systems;
- evaluate an existing urban youth ministry for effectiveness;
- be introduced to former gang members to understand the current issues
facing youth and violence;
- familiarize themselves with the hip-hop culture and how it influences
ministry to youth;
- 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
- keep and submit a personal journal (20%);
- do community research of a given target area and write a 7-10 page paper on
that research (40%);
- 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.