MI530: Missiological Integration in Context (Argentina 2005) (4 units)
Pablo A. Deiros, Professor of History of Mission
Spring 2005, Buenos Aires, Argentina

DESCRIPTION:

This course will be focused on a practical learning experience. The students will experience the real context in which mission is conducted today in a large city such as Buenos Aires, Argentina. Students will have an opportunity to learn first hand from those who are involved in urban mission as well as being directly involved themselves. There will be regular reflection sessions among members of the group and specific inputs by the facilitating professor and invited guests. Also, local missionaries and experts will be available for sharing, questions and evaluation. This course will be developed parallel to MT540 Missiological Issues: Church in the City (a two-week intensive, 4 units), which is also being offered in Argentina.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

The student will acquire a first hand understanding of present missiological challenges and needs, and they will be able to assess the significance of a variety of urban mission enterprises that have been studied.

COURSE FORMAT:

This is a 21-day intensive integration practicum. The first three days in town will be spent in getting acquainted with the context. Two weeks will be spent in visiting and participating in a variety of urban ministries in Buenos Aires. The final 2-3 days will be spent in review and evaluation sessions. The daily schedule will vary according to the situation, but it will normally include classes in the morning (MT540) and actual observation of mission activity, participating in ministry as appropriate, group reflection sessions, preparing a daily report, and gathering information for the final project paper/presentation.

REQUIRED READING:

Deiros, Pablo A. and C. Peter Wagner, eds. The Raising Revival (Ventura, Calif.: Regal Books, 2000).

Nida, Eugene. Understanding Latin Americans: With Special Reference to Religious Values and Movements (South Pasadena, Calif.: William Carey Library, 1974).

Núñez C., Emilio A. and William D. Taylor. Crisis in Latin America: An Evangelical Perspective (Chicago: Moody Press, 1989).

RECOMMENDED READING:

Argentina oramos por vos: bases para la transformación de una nación. Buenos Aires: Argentina Oramos por Vos, 2003.

Canclini, Arnoldo. 400 años de protestantismo argentino. Buenos Aires: Facultad Internacional de Educación Teológica, 2004.

Deiros, Pablo A. Protestantismo en América Latina: ayer, hoy y mañana Miami: Editorial Caribe, 1997.

Deiros, Pablo A. and Carlos Mraida, Latinoamérica en llamas. Miami: Editorial Caribe, 1994.

Mackay, John A. The Other Spanish Christ. New York: MacMillan, 1932.
Maust, John. Cities of Change: Urban Growth and God’s People in Ten Latin American Cities Coral Gables, Fla.: Latin American Mission, 1984.

ASSIGNMENTS:

The student must read at least 500 pages drawn from the required reading list, and supplemented by the recommended reading list or approved substitutes. Participation will also be required at two one-day preparatory seminars and a one-day post-project seminar. An ongoing journal with a daily one page entry will be written throughout the practicum. As a final project or term paper, each student will prepare a 5,000 word paper that describes the experiences, evaluates the projects studied, and describes how missiological principles are applied.

PREREQUISITES: None, but "Serving and Communicating Cross-Culturally" (ME500) is

recommended as well as a basic knowledge of Spanish.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Fulfills practicum requirement in MA CCS program.

FINAL EXAM: None.

Last Date Edited: December 14, 2004