Winter 2016/Pasadena

PM849/549

Branson

PM849/549: LEARNING COMMUNITIES: PRACTICAL THEOLOGY & CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. (4/6 Units: 198/358 hours). Mark Lau Branson.

DESCRIPTION: This is a 6-unit Practical Theology seminar; 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 engages methods of practical theology with a focus on Christian education in relationship with studies in learning organizations and communities of practice.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) demonstrate an understanding of Christian education as a discipline of Practical Theology, drawing on theories of learning organizations, (2) reflect on previous learning/formative experiences, and participate and reflect as participant-observer in church formative practices, and (3) demonstrate the abilities to create curriculum and instruction for a church/organization.

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. Class times will include lectures, individual and group exercises, reflective discussions of materials and experiences, and student presentations. Students will also participate regularly in a church and visit a church other than their own.

REQUIRED READING: PhD will read 3000 pages and MA/MDiv students need to scan all books and read a minimum of 1500 pages, approved by professor. Students who have previously read a required book for another class will arrange alternative reading with the professor. There will be additional materials on Moodle.

Practical Theology core: [780 pp.].

Branson, Mark Lau, and Juan Martínez. Churches, Cultures, & Leadership. InterVarsity, 2011. ISBN: 978-0830839261, Pub. Price $25.00 [230 pp.].

Groome, Thomas. Sharing Faith. Wipf & Stock, 1999. ISBN: 978-1579101961, Pub. Price $45.00 [550 pp.].

Christian Education core (including leading church transformation): [1025 pp.].

Engen, John Van. Educating People of Faith: Exploring the History of Jewish and Christian Communities. Eerdmans, 2004. ISBN: 978-0802849366, Pub. Price $35.50 [60 pp. assigned].

Everist, Norma Cook. The Church as Learning Community. Abingdon, 2002. ISBN: 978-0687045006, Pub. Price $31.99 [340 pp. assigned].

Palmer, Parker. To Know as We Are Known. HarperOne, 1993. ISBN: 978-0060664510, Pub. Price $11.25 [125 pp.].

Pazmino, Robert. Latin America Journey. Wipf & Stock, 2002. ISBN: 978-1592440344, Pub. Price $23.00 [200 pp.].

Roxburgh, Alan. Structured for Mission. IVP Academic, 2015. ISBN: 978-0830844241, Pub. Price $18.00 [190 pp.].

Zschelie, Dwight. Cultivating Sent Communities. Eerdmans, 2012. ISBN: 978-0802867278, $30.00 [110 pp. assigned].

Education and Learning Organizations: [945 pp.].

Block, Peter. Community: The Structure of Belonging. Berrett-Koehler, 2009. ISBN: 978-1605092775, Pub. Price $21.95 [175 pp. assigned].

Brookfield, Stephen. The Power of Critical Theory. John Wiley & Sons, 2005. ISBN: 978-0787956011, Pub. Price $42.00 [375 pp.].

Freire, Paulo. Education for Critical Consciousness. Bloomsbury, 2013. ISBN: 978-1780937816, Pub. Price $19.95 [168 pp.].

Heifetz, Ronald and Marty Linsky. Leadership on the Line. Harvard Business School, 2002. ISBN: 978-1578514373, Pub. Price $33.00 [235 pp.].

Articles and/or student selections [250 pp.]: Senge, Rogers, Wimberly, Branson, Smith.

It is assumed that students are familiar with a standard guide to writing research papers, like Wayne Booth et al., The Craft of Research (2nd ed.; University of Chicago Press, 2003). Papers must follow style norms from latest edition of CMOS or Turabian.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Participate in class and read assignments as scheduled; interact on web as required (including creative web tools); keep a reading/attendance log for submission; arrive ready to discuss readings (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3]. [Masters: 145 hours, CATS: 245 hours, includes 10 hours of DLAs].

2. Write a 750 word autobiographical essay that connects your Christian discipleship/formation with church practices and cultural forces (5%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2]. [6 hours].

3. Write a 750-word essay on your primary ministry context and the formative cultural influences present among the people/context and in the approaches to learning/formation (5%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2]. [6 hours].

4. Write 600-word book reviews, based on Adler and including critical reflection, on any 2 (MA/MDiv – 1) of “Education & Learning” texts (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2]. [4 hours].

5. A final paper will demonstrate competence with PT method and shaping the development of curriculum and instruction: (5.1) By week 6, select a theme for the term paper, provide a 2-page outline that includes topic/question, method, and tentative arguments/sources (5.2) During class in week 10, provide a class presentation related to your term paper, including actual instructional activity (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 3]. [1 hour]. (5.3) PhD/ThM students will write an 8,000-word paper; MA/MDiv students write a 3000-word paper (50%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 3]. [Masters: 36 hours, CATS: 96 hours].

PREREQUISITES: Master’s level students must have completed a minimum of 60 quarter units of course work and have permission of the professor.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective

FINAL EXAMINATION: Final paper.