MN520/620:
Introduction to Urban Mission: Encountering the City (4 units)
Jude Tiersma
Watson, Associate Professor of Urban Mission
Summer2008 Pasadena
DESCRIPTION:
We live in a
rapidly urbanizing world. We need to move toward understanding our increasingly
urban world, as well as understanding our own responses and fears as we
encounter this world. This one week immersion course explores these dynamics,
as well as various themes related to urban mission: the importance of narrative
in urban evangelism, moving beyond charity in our relationship with the poor;
gentrification with justice; leadership in the city; approaches to community
transformation; and the relationship between globalization and urbanization.
LEARNING
OUTCOMES:
1. Think missiologically in various urban
contexts.
2. Develop skills to encounter the city
in its many dimensions.
3. Develop increased understanding that
ministry is the work of God in and through us.
COURSE
FORMAT: This class is a one week immersion class, with the city as our
classroom. The first day will be in Pasadena, the remainder visiting various
field sites in Los Angeles, including one evening. Opportunites to spend the
nights in LA are available to a limited number of students.
REQUIRED
READING: Total: 1200-1500 pages of reading.
If you have previously read any of the required texts, please select an
alternative text from the recommended reading list or a book approved by the
instructor.
1. Gottdiener, Mark. The New Urban Sociology. Westview Press, 2006. Third edition.
2. Law, Eric. The Wolf Shall Dwell with
the Lamb: A Spirituality for Leadership in a Multicultural Community
3. Tanner, Katherine, ed. Spirit of
the Cities: Searching for Soul in the Urban Landscape. Fortress Press,
2004.
4. White, Randy. Encounter God in the City. Intervarsity Press, 2000
Choose
one:
5. Bakke, Ray. A Theology as Big as the City. InterVarsity Press, 1997.
or Davey, Andrew. Urban
Christianity and Global Order: Theological Resources for an Urban Future.
2002.
6. Gottlieb and Vallianatos, The Next Los Angeles. University of
California Press, 2006
or book from student’s context.
7. Course reader
RECOMMENDED
READING:
1. Corbitt, Nathan, el al. Taking it to the Streets: Using the Arts to Transform Your Community. 2004.
2. Kozol, Jonathan. Ordinary Resurrections. Crown Publisher, 2000.
3. Martinez, Ruben. Crossing Over. Picador, 2001.
4. Perkins, John, ed. Restoring At-Risk Communities: Doing It
Together and Doing It Right. Baker, 1996.
5. Rodriquez, Luis. Hearts and Hands: Making Peace in Violent Times.
6. Shook, Jill, ed., Making Housing
Happen, Chalice Press, 2006.
7. Tiersma & Van Engen, eds. God So Loves The City. MARC, 1994.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Daily journal on field visits, two book reports, and a major project on a
significant issue in urban mission.
Th.M. students: Read and report on two extra books related to urban
mission in your context.
PREREQUISITES:
None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Meets MIN8 requirement in the School of
Theology M.Div. program. Meets Globalization (GLBL) requirement for M.A. in
Theology Program.
RELATIONSHIP TO
SPIRITUAL FORMATION:
An assumption
of this course is that spiritual formation must be an essential component of
mission in the city. The course will explore ways of seeking God amidst the
complexities of the city.
FINAL
EXAM: None.