Spring 2017/Pasadena

YF519

Powell

YF519: ADOLESCENT FAITH LONGEVITY (4 Units: 160 Hours). Kara Powell.

DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to help students understand the dynamics of long-term faith development among adolescents. This course will weave together theological reflection and social science research in a Practical Theology approach that will primarily focus on 3 contexts: the adolescent’s family, the youth ministry, and the overall congregation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will have demonstrated (1) an understanding of the cultural and developmental factors that often thwart adolescent faith longevity; (2) the ability to develop a youth ministry plan undergirded by a practical theology corrective response to those obstacles; and (3) the framework required to center youth ministry philosophy and praxis in a long-term vision for teenagers’ faith trajectories.

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. Classes combine lecture, large and small group discussions, and small group presentations by students.

REQUIRED READING: 1,300 total pages required

Allen, Holly Catterton, and Ross, Christine Lawton. Intergenerational Christian Formation. IVP Academic, 2012. ISBN: 978-0830839810, Pub Price $25.00 [330 pages assigned].

Clydesdale, Tim. The First Year Out: Understanding American Teens After High School. University of Chicago Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-0226110660, Pub. Price $22.50 [239 pages assigned].

Dean, Kenda. Almost Christian: What the Faith of Our Teenagers is Telling the American Church. Oxford University Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0195314847, Pub. Price $24.95 [264 pages assigned].

Joiner, Reggie. Think Orange: Imagine the Impact When Church and Family Collide. David C Cook, 2009. ISBN: 978-1434764836, Pub. Price $21.99 [272 pages assigned].

Peterson, Eugene. A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. InterVarsity Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0830822577, Pub. Price $17.00 [216 pages assigned].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Baxter, Jeff. Together: Adults and Teenagers Transforming the Church. Zondervan Publishing, 2011. ISBN: 978-0310578741, Pub. Price $16.99 [192 pages].

Clark, Chap. Hurt 2.0: Inside the World of Today’s Teenagers. Baker Academic, 2011. ISBN: 978-0801039416, Pub. Price $19.99 [288 pages].

Garland, Diana R. Family Ministry: A Comprehensive Guide. IVP Academic, 2012. ISBN: 978-0830839711, Pub. Price $55.00 [656 pages].

Powell, Kara E, Griffin, Brad M., and Crawford, Cheryl A. Sticky Faith, Youth Worker Edition: Practical Ideas to Nurture Long-Term Faith in Teenagers. Zondervan Publishing, 2011. ISBN: 978-0310889243, Pub. Price $16.99 [224 pages].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. DLAs: 10 hours of interviews with adolescents, their parents and/or youth leaders (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. [10 hours].

2. 1,300 pages of required reading [65 hours].

3. Completion of two 3-page reflection papers based on assigned readings (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1 and #3]. [4 hours].

4. Midterm exam covering texts and class lectures and discussions (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1 and #3]. [10 hours].

5. Final exam covering texts and class lectures and discussions (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1 and #3]. [15 hours].

6. A final 12-15 page project describing a youth ministry geared toward adolescent faith longevity that encompasses theological, ecclesial, relational, and missional components (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2]. [26 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to count in the Youth, Family and Culture emphasis.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.