Beginning with the Scriptural basis for development and the global dimensions of economic assistance in developing countries, this course will consider a number of major strategies used to promote socio-economic development within rural communities through government and non-government organizations in various regions of the world. We are looking at a holistic ministry to communities, which recognizes the need to show Christian concern and compassion to the three quarters of the world’s population confronted with a daily struggle to make a living. We will begin by reviewing what is meant by 'development', while considering how intended beneficiaries are determined, how partnerships are developed in these efforts, and how objectives and impacts are determined. In what ways is or should the Church be involved? Specific examples will be given from both Dr. Swanson's own long-term experiences in Haiti, Madagascar, Niger, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe and Indonesia, as well as other insights from the designated reading list. Students will be grouped for special focus on selected development strategies, to learn more deeply how each has been applied, its constraints and potential impacts. Themes will include Grameen rural banks, community-based natural resource management, integrated conservation and development programs, agriculture and farming systems support and international trade, rural health and family planning. As these topics are covered, we will consider cultural issues and communication that are important in the real day-to-day implementation of such programs. This class should be particularly useful to students contemplating any form of service overseas.

• Develop greater appreciation and understanding of their own possible role as Christians for the social and economic improvement of individuals and households within rural and urban societies.
• Develop tools they may be able to use in their own future ministries.
• Learn how to better support the efforts of others engaged in socio-economic development efforts.

This is a two-week intensive course. The class will meet as a group each day for about three hours for a total of 30 class hours. Prior to the first class meeting, those registering for the class will be expected to have read the first three starred books in the required reading prior to the first class day, with a 2 page written report on each completed. Formal class meetings will include lectures, video, slides, class and group discussion of readings and development strategies being reviewed, case study reflections, and finally an end of quarter research paper. Each student should purchase the four starred books below (1,590 pages); other books/documents will be available at the Fuller library reserve shelf, or given out in class.

* Bornstein, David, The Price of a Dream: The Story of the Grameen Bank, University of Chicago Press, 1996. (Purchase: $14). (Can be purchased used for less at Amazon.com).
* Mistry, Rohinton, A Fine Balance, Vintage, 1995. (Purchase: $10.50)(Can be purchased used for less at Amazon.com).
* Friedman, Thomas, The Lexus and the Olive Tree, Farrar, Straus, Giroux, 1999. (Purchase: $10.50) (Can be purchased used for less at Amazon.com).
* Todaro, Michael P., Economic Development, Addison -Wesley, 1999. (Purchase at Used Price at Amazon.com: $40.)
Swanson, Richard & Issaka Hasanne, Decentralized Natural Resource Management in the Republic of Niger, Associates in Rural Development, USAID, 1998. (Selected Readings: -Dr. Swanson will loan two copies to the Fuller library reserve shelf).
Swanson, Richard, Hypothesis Testing: Do Targeted Development Activities Reduce Pressures on Parks/Reserves Through Changed Human Behavior?, Madagascar National Association for the Management of Protected Areas, 1996. (Selected Readings: Dr. Swanson will loan three copies to the Fuller library reserve shelf).
Smith, Stephen, Case Studies in Economic Development, Second Edition, Addison, Wesley, Longman, 1997. (Selected Readings - Fuller library reserve shelf - 3 copies. $34).
Yergin, Daniel, Joseph Stanislaw, The Commanding Heights: the Battle for the World Economy, Touchstone Book, Simon & Schuster, 1998. (Background Understanding) (Selected Readings - Fuller library reserve shelf - 3 copies)

1. Grameen rural banks Check Amazon.com under ‘micro-finance’ or ‘micro-lending’ for other references.
2. Agriculture and Farming Systems
Brokensha et al, Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Development, University Press of America, 1980 (Selected Readings - Fuller library reserve shelf - 3 copies).
Persley and Lantin, Agricultural Biotechnology and the Poor, CGIAR, 2000. (Dr. Swanson will loan one copy to the Fuller library reserve shelf).
Mazzucato Valentina and David Miemeijer, Rethinking Soil and Water Conservation in a Changing Society, Tropical Resource Management Papers #32, The Netherlands, 2000.
3. Integrated Conservation and Development (Environment & Development)
McNeely, Jeffrey and Kenton Miller, National Parks, Conservation, and Development: The Role of Protected Areas in Sustaining Society, IUCN, 1984. (Dr. Swanson will loan one copy to the Fuller library reserve shelf).
IUCN, Parks and Progress, 1993. (Dr. Swanson will loan one copy to the Fuller library reserve shelf).
4. Community Based Natural Resource Management
Zimbabwe Campfire Project Documents (Dr. Swanson will loan one copy to the Fuller library reserve shelf).
Winter, Mike, and Oumar Kane, Decentralized Management of Natural Resources in three Sahel Countries: Senegal, Mali, and Burkina Faso, CILSS, 1997. (Dr. Swanson will loan one copy to the Fuller library reserve shelf).
5. Rural Health and Family Planning
McMillan, Della, Sahel Visions: Planned Settlement and River Blindness Control in Burkina Faso, University of Arizona Press, 1995. (Selected Readings - Fuller library reserve shelf - 2 copies).
Bartlett, Peggy, Agricultural Decision Making: Anthropological Contributions to Rural Development, Academic Press, 1980.
(Dr. Swanson will loan one copy to the Fuller library reserve shelf).

None; One research paper to be sent as an attached file to Dr. Swanson’s email address above in Microsoft Word format by beginning of last week of quarter.