DESCRIPTION: The purpose of the class is to challenge each student's
perspective of the city. The instructor will expose the class to a wide variety
of topics, theories, and methods that relate to the field of urban studies. The
instructor will also relate all of the class materials to central themes and
issues confronting Christianity today. Students will interact with
professionals who are involved in urban life such as elected officials, law
enforcement administrators, social service agency representatives, artists,
etc. Such persons will be guest lecturers who, along with the instructor, will
integrate social responsibility and religion from various points of view.
Perspectives will include local politics, business and economics, social
capital, housing and homelessness, law enforcement, community relations,
demographics, and arts and leisure.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Students will be challenged to (1) engage
representatives from public and private agencies who will be guest lecturers;
(2) participate in class discussions concerning new approaches to address
social issues such as affordable housing, homelessness, informal economy,
mental illness, and substance abuse; and (3) physically engage local public
spaces that are being transformed from places of disinvestment to reinvestment
such as LA's skid row, central LA's MacArthur Park, ethnic enclaves such as
Korea Town, and Pasadena's world-renowned Colorado Blvd. During the course
students will be encouraged to integrate these experiences into their spiritual
lives through spiritual practices that will be introduced in class each
week.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will