Fall 2017/Pasadena

PM849/549

Branson

PM849/549: LEARNING COMMUNITIES: PRACTICAL THEOLOGY & CHRISTIAN EDUCATION. (PM549: 4 Units: 160 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 is focused on Christian education and the practices of learning communities from the perspective of practical theology.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) demonstrate an understanding of Christian education as a discipline of Practical Theology, drawing on theories of learning organizations; (2) demonstrate critical reflection 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.

SEMINAR 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 as assigned (asterisks*). Students who have previously read a required book for another class will arrange alternative reading with the professor. There will be additional materials online.

Practical Theology & Christian Education core (including leading church transformation): [1945 pp.; Masters 995 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].

Groome, Thomas. Sharing Faith. Wipf & Stock, 1999. ISBN: 978-1579101961, Pub. Price $47.00 [550 pp.].

*Palmer, Parker. To Know as We Are Known. HarperOne, 1993. ISBN: 978-0060664510, Pub. Price $14.99 [125 pp.].

*Pazmino, Robert. Latin America Journey. Wipf & Stock, 2002. ISBN: 978-1592440344, Pub. Price $25.00 [200 pp.].

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

*Wimberly, Anne Streaty. Soul Stories: African American Christian Education, rev. ed. Abingdon, 2005. ISBN: 978-0687494323, Pub. Price $21.99 [140 pp. assigned].

Education and Learning Organizations: [785/945; Masters 235 pp.].

Brookfield, Stephen. The Power of Critical Theory. John Wiley & Sons, 2005. ISBN: 978-0787956011, Pub. Price $42.00 [390 pp.; Masters Preface plus chap 1-2, 80 pp.].

Freire, Paulo. Education for Critical Consciousness. Bloomsbury, 2013. ISBN: 978-1780937816, Pub. Price $22.95 [160 pp.].

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

Articles and/or student selections [270 pp.; Masters 190 pp.]: Senge, Rogers, 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. Read all books and articles as assigned (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3]. [Masters: 100 hours].

2. Participate in class and interact on web as required (including creative web tools); arrive ready to discuss readings; this work includes 10 hours of directed learning activities (DLAs) (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3]. [Masters: 40 hours].

3. 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]. [Masters: 3 hours].

4. 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]. [Masters: 3 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%); (5.3) PhD/ThM students will write an 8,000-word paper; MA/MDiv students write a 1800-word paper (50%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 3]. [Masters: 14 hours].

PREREQUISITES: Master’s level students must have completed a minimum of 32 quarter units of course work and have permission of the professor.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.