Spring 2015/Pasadena

PM556/856

Branson

PM556/856: PRACTICAL THEOLOGY METHODS (4 Units: 165 Hours). Mark Lau Branson.

DESCRIPTION: This is a 6-unit required methods seminar for all PhD students in Practical Theology; at the 500-level, the 4-unit course is offered to a limited number of master’s level students as approved by the professor. The seminar will introduce students to recent studies of practical theology with a focus on ecclesiology and mission in a Western context. The hermeneutical implications of a praxis-based theology of ministry will be considered in an integrative, interdisciplinary manner, with attention to matters of leadership appropriate to participation in God’s mission in both the church and the world.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: (1) Students will articulate an understanding of key elements and recent constructs of practical theology methods. (2) Students will provide an integrative explanation of PT methods in relationship to ecclesiology, missiology, leadership, and ministry. (3) Students will demonstrate skills for shaping a PT process for a contemporary challenge in a church or other setting. (4) (PhD & ThM only:) Students will develop a syllabus for a PT-based ministry class. (5) Students will reflect critically on their own competencies and capacities for PT-shaped leadership in relationship to their current professional goals.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets once per week for three-hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours. Students will spend 30-60 minutes weekly in web-based media and interaction; class times will include lectures, individual and group exercises, reflective discussions of materials and experiences, and student presentations.

REQUIRED READING: 1,500 pp. of required reading for MA/MDiv Students; PhD and ThM students will read all required books

All Students:

Cahalan, Kathleen & Gordon Mikoski. Opening the Field of Practical Theology. Rowman & Littlefield, 2014. ISBN: 978-0742561267, Pub. Price $34.00 [150 pages assigned].

Root, Andrew. Christopraxis: A Practical Theology of the Cross. Fortress, 2014. ISBN: 978-1451478150, Pub. Price $39.00 [300 pages].

Roxburgh, Alan. Missional Mapmaking. Jossey-Bass, 2010. ISBN: 978-0470486726, Pub. Price $25.95 [200 pages].

Schreiter, Robert. Constructing Local Theologies. Orbis, 1985. ISBN: 978-0883441084, Pub. Price $26.00 [160 pages].

Toulmin, Stephen. Cosmopolis. University of Chicago Press, 1990. ISBN: 978-0226808383, Pub. Price $20.00 [210 pages].

Van Gelder, Craig. The Ministry of the Missional Church. Baker, 2007. ISBN: 978-0801091391, Pub. Price $16.00 [170 pages].

Heifetz, Ronald, and Marty Linsky. Leadership on the Line. Harvard Business School, 2002. ISBN: 978-1578514373, Pub. Price $35.00 [235 pages].

*Additional articles [65 pp.] will be on Moodle. It is assumed that students are familiar with a standard guide to writing research papers, like Wayne Booth et al. The Craft of Research (4th ed). University of Chicago, 2008 and with CMOS Online.

PhD & ThM students:

Osmer, Richard. Practical Theology. Eerdmans, 2008. ISBN: 978-0802817655, Pub. Price $20.00 [240 pages].

Van Gelder, Craig. The Missional Church in Context. Eerdmans, 2007. ISBN: 978-0802845672, Pub. Price $30.00 [100 pages assigned].

Whitehead, James and Evelyn Whitehead. Methods in Ministry Rev. ed. Sheed & Ward, 1995. ISBN:978-1556128066, Pub. Price $20.95 [150 pages].

Zscheile, Dwight. Agile Church. Morehouse, 2014. ISBN: 978-0819229779, Pub. Price $18.00 [175 pages].

Papers posted on Moodle [100 pages].

All PhD/ThM students will be assigned two of the following:

Anderson, Ray. The Shape of Practical Theology. InterVarsity, 2001. ISBN: 978-0830815593, Pub. Price $27.00 [320 pages].

Browning, Don. A Fundamental Practical Theology. Fortress, 1991. ISBN: 978-0800629731, Pub. Price $29.00 [300 pages].

Groome, Thomas. Sharing Faith. Wipf & Stock, 1999. ISBN: 978-1579101961, Pub. Price $45.00 [450 pages].

Heitink, Gerben. Practical Theology. Eerdmans, 1999. ISBN: 978-0802842947, Pub. Price $46.50 [320 pages].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. PhD/ThM: 3,000 pp.; MA/MDiv: 1,500 pp. of required reading as scheduled. Keep a reading log for submission and arrive ready to discuss readings (10%). [MDiv/MA: 100 hours].

2. Participate weekly in Moodle discussions (MA/MDiv: minimum of 30 minutes; PhD/ThM: minimum of 1 hour) (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, and 5]. [5 hours].

3. MA/MDiv Only: Write 600 word reviews of Root and Toulmin based on Adler guidelines (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, and 5]. [5 hours].

4. PhD/ThM Only: In teams, prepare comparative review, with handouts, of 2 assigned books (Anderson, Browning, Groome, Heitink).

5. PhD/ThM Only: Prepare an ECD for a PT-based seminary course.

6. Write a term paper demonstrating competence in a PT method with reference to at least one additional PT method. By week 7 select a theme for the term paper, provide a 1-2 page outline that includes topic/question, method, and tentative arguments/sources (MA/MDiv students 3,000 words; PhD/ThM students 10,000 words) (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-3, 5]. [MA/MDiv: 24 hours].

7. Provide a class presentation related to your term paper (50%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-3, 5]. [1 hours].

PREREQUISITES: MA/MDiv students must have completed a minimum of 72 quarter units of course work and have permission of the professor.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Required for CATS Practical Theology students.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.