DESCRIPTION:

The course will study the characteristics and problems of Korean families and seek ways of building healthy families. With a Christian perspective on family, it will cover such topics as communication, conflict resolution, commitment, intimacy, reconciliation, self- and partner- understanding, gender differences and child rearing. It will also discuss the tasks of Korean churches in building healthy families.

Korean families are undergoing an unprecedented pace of change and are facing many serious problems. Korean churches are groping for the ways of strengthening family lives. This course will help students develop insights for family ministry as well as enriching their own family life.

Lectures, student presentations, class discussion, exercises, video-tapes. The course will be taught in Korean. The course will meet Thursday mornings, 8:00-9:50; 10:50-12:15.

Balswick, J. O. and J. K. Balswick. The Family: A Christian Perspective on the Contemporary Home. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1989.

Chun, B. J.; S. H. Lee; P. H. Gyak; and M. J. Kim. Families in Crisis: Changes and Prospects of Korean Families. Seoul: Dasan, 1994.

Hendrix, H. Getting The Love You Want: A Guide for Couples. New York: HarperPerennial, 1988.

Markman, H.; S. Stanley and S. L. Blumberg. Fighting for Your Marriage. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1994.

Gottman, J. Why Marriages Succeed or Fail. New York: Fireside, Simon and Schuster, 1994.

Kim, Y. S. Korean Families and Family Therapy. Frankfurt: Peter Lang, 1987.

McManus, M. J. Marriage Savers: Helping Your Friends and Family Stay Married. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1993.

Sell, C. M. Family Ministry. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1995.

1. 1,200 pages of reading from required and recommended readings.

2. A 15 page paper on a healthy Christian family and on how to build it. (Include an interview of a happily married Christian couple and a critical reflection on it.)

3. Class presentation, raising one critical issue for discussion.

4. Attendance and participation in all class sessions.

Korean. Spouses are encouraged to participate.

Meets M. Div. core requirement in Pastoral Counseling (MIN 5).

Yes.