DM1/2/8002S
Transforming Urban Neighbourhoods
First and second level unit for undergraduates
Foundational unit for postgraduates
Content:
This unit aims to equip participants with practical insights, frameworks, tools and strategies to effect transformation in local neighbourhoods facing urban poverty. This includes: a theological and pastoral critique of the contribution of Christian faith; an exploration of the ways that Christians can relate to, and come alongside, marginalised people thus bringing residents together to solve their own problems; a critical evaluation of the roles local churches can play in neighbourhood-based responses.
Personal worker issues that can undermine transformations such as boundaries, self-care, dependencies and projections are considered. Christian approaches to urban community development; empowerment and relief will be identified and explored.
Learning Outcomes: Upon successful completion of this unit, it is expected that students will be able to:
- Identify a number of contemporary approaches to understanding and defining the nature of poverty.
- Describe a variety of models, frameworks and concepts that can inform and inspire a community transformation process in an urban neighbourhood.
- Develop a theological rationale for the ways Christians live in, and engage with neighbourhoods.
- Communicate theological concepts in a clear and articulate form, accessible to people living in poverty.
- (Level 2) Demonstrate distinct ways Christians can engage with urban neighbourhoods.
- (Postgraduate) Critique and theologically evaluate Christian professional practice in community-based mission.
Pre-requisite: for level one – nil: for level 2 – one foundational unit in field D: for postgraduate – nil
Faculty: Michael Duncan
Offered: in 2019 as an intensive in July at Stirling.
Assessment:
First level undergraduate
One 500 word oral tutorial presentation 20%
One 1,000 word topical paper 30%
One 2,000 word Thematic Essay 50%
Second level undergraduate
One 500 word oral tutorial presentation 10%
One 2,000 word topical paper 40%
One 2,000 word thematic essay 50%
Postgraduate
One 500 word oral tutorial presentation 10%
One 2,500 word Tutorial Paper 40%
One 3,000 word Thematic Essay 50%
Pre-Reading:
Barker, Ash. Surrender All: A Call to Sub-Merge with Christ. Melbourne: UNOH, 2005.
Duncan, Michael. Costly Mission: Following Jesus into Neighbourhoods Facing Poverty. Melbourne: UNOH, 2007.
Bibliography:
Bosch, David. Transforming Mission: Paradigm Shifts in Theology of Mission. Maryknoll: Orbis, 2011.
Bradshaw, Bruce. Change across Cultures: A Narrative Approach to Social Transformation. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002.
Castellanos, Noel. Where the Cross Meets the Street: What Happens to the neighbourhood when God is at the center. Downers Grove: IVP, 2015.
Christian, Jayakumar. God of the Empty-Handed: Poverty, Power and the Kingdom of God. Monrovia: MARC, 1999.
Collier, Paul. The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries are failing and What Can Be Done About It. Oxford: University Press, 2007.
Corbett, Steve, and Brian Fikkert. When Helping Hurts: How to Alleviate Poverty without Hurting the Poor and Yourself. Chicago: Moody, 2009.
Guder, Darrell. Be My Witnesses. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985.
Hunter, George, III. To Spread the Power: Church Growth in the Wesleyan Spirit. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1987.
Linthicum, Robert. Building a People of Power: Equipping Churches to Transform Their Communities. Waynesboro: Authentic, 2005.
McKnight, John, and Peter Brock. The Abundant Community: Awakening the Power of Families and Neighbourhoods. San Francisco: Berrett-Koehler, 2010.
Myers, Bryant. Walking with the Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development. Maryknoll: Orbis, 1999.
Newbigin, Lesslie. Proper Confidence: Faith, Doubt and Certainty in Christian Discipleship. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1995.
Perkins, John. Restoring At-Risk Communities: Doing It Together & Doing It Right. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1995.
_______With Justice for All: A Strategy for Community Development. Ventura: Regal Books, 2007.
Pohl, Christine. Making Room: Recovering Hospitality as a Christian Tradition. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1999.
Sachs, Jeffrey D. The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for Our Time. New York: Penguin Press, 2005.
Samson, Will & Lisa Samson. Justice in the Burbs: Being the Hands of Jesus Wherever We Live. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2007.
Samuel, Vinay, and Chris Sugden, eds. The Church in Response to Human Need. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1987.
_______Mission as Transformation: A Theology of the Whole Gospel. Oxford: Regnum, 1999.
Schaller, Lyle E. The Change Agent. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1972.
Sider, Ronald J. Evangelism & Social Action: In a Lost & Broken World. Sydney: Hodder & Stoughton, 1993.
_______. Rich Christians in an Age of Hunger. Sydney: Hodder & Stoughton, 1997.