MD 525:
Transformational Development (4 units)
Dr. Bryant Myers, Adjunct
Professor of International Development
Winter 2004
Pasadena
DESCRIPTION:
This course explores the
challenges of empowering the poor in a world marked by marginalization,
disempowerment, abuse, and injustice. Poverty is explored from a number of
perspectives, concluding with a biblical framework. Responses to poverty are
then explored, including the goals of transformational development and the
process and principles by which it is pursued. Topics to be covered include the
following—worldview issues that influence our understanding of social
development; a biblical framework for transformational development;
understanding poverty biblically; overview of contemporary development theory;
Catholic social thinking of development; rights-based development and
livelihood/food security; the development practitioner; and Christian witness
through transformational development.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
• Gain a biblical and
holistic understanding of both poverty and transformational development
• Understand the current theories of development
• Ability to think critically about implied understandings of poverty and
development
COURSE FORMAT:
Intensive two-week course will use a presentation and
discussion format with occasional use of small groups.
REQUIRED READING: (1300 pages)
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. Bearak, Barry, “Why People Still
Starve.” In New York Times, July 13, 2003 (search www.nytimes.com/
for Bearak. $2.95 to download article).
2. Chambers, Robert, Whose Reality Counts? Putting the First Last.
Intermediate Technology Publications (UK), 1997. (Chs. 3-4).
3. Christian,
Jayakumar, God of the Empty-Handed: Poverty, Power and the Kingdom of
God. MARC (Monrovia) 1999.
4. Freidman, John, Empowerment: The Politics of Alternative Development.
Blackwell
5. Hiebert, Paul, et al., Understanding Folk Religion. Baker Books 1999.
(Chs. 1-4.)
6. Moser, Caroline, and Andy Norton, “To Claim Our Rights: Livelihood Security,
Food Security and Sustainable Development,” Overseas Development Institute,
2001 (Available through ODI website www.odi.org.uk
)
7. Myers, Bryant, Walking With the Poor: Principles and Practices of
Transformational Development. Orbis (NY) 1999.
8. Narayan, Deepa, et al., Voices of the Poor: Crying Out for Change. Oxford
University Press, 2000. (Chs. 1-2).
9. Plantinga, Cornelius, Jr., A
Breviary of Sin. Eerdmans 1995. (Introduction and chs. 1-4.)
10. Sen, Amartya, Development as Freedom. Knopf 1999.
(Introduction and chs. 1-4).
11. Weisenfeld, Paul, “Obstacles to Economic Development: A Case for Visionary
Leadership.” In Orbis, Spring 2003
12. “Enabling the Rural Poor to Overcome Their Poverty: Strategic Framework of
IFAD” (download PDF from www.ifad.org/sf
).
13.
“Foreign Aid in the National Interest: Promoting Freedom, Security and
Opportunity.” (Summary only--download from www.usaid.gov/fani
).
14. Progressio Popularum (Click on Encyclicals at www.vatican.va/holy_father/paul_vi
)
15. Redemptoris Missio. (Click on Encyclicals at www.vatican.va/holy_father/john_paul_ii/)
RECOMMENDED READING:
1. Barr, Robert (tr.), Pedagogy of Hope:
Reliving Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Continuum Publishing Co (NY), 1994
2. Guttierrez,
Gustavo. The Power of the Poor in History. Orbis Books (NY) 1983.
3. Korten, David C. Getting Toward the 21st Century: Voluntary Action and
Global Agenda. Kumarian Press, 1990.
4. Linthicum, Robert C. Empowering the Poor: Community Organizing among the
City's 'Rag, Tag and Bob Tail.' Monrovia, MARC (Monrovia) 1991
5. Additional reading of any the unassigned chapters in Chambers, Hiebert, Narayan,
and Plantinga
ASSIGNMENTS:
1.
A
written 3-page critical assessment of the implied understanding of poverty and
development from one of the following: Populorum Progressio; Voices
of the Poor: Crying out for Change (Chapters 1 and 2); “Why People Still
Starve”; “Foreign Aid in the National Interest: Promoting
Freedom, Security and Opportunity” (overview only); “Obstacles to Economic
Development: A Case for Visionary Leadership”; or “Enabling the Rural Poor”
2.
In teams of 4-6, students
will do a presentation and lead a discussion afterwards (total one-hour), which
summarizes and critiques the explicit and implicit 1) understanding of poverty
and 2) theory of development of a major development organization based on the
materials on its website. Choose among Tear Fund, Action Aid, Plan
International, World Vision, and United Nations Development Program.
3.
A 12 to 15-page paper on a topic related to
the course and agreed to by the professor.
Th.M. Students
will complete an additional assignment: 5-page paper describing a substantive addition
to or criticism of the lecture material on a theology of transformational
development. Topic to be agreed to by professor.
PREREQUISITE: None
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective
FINAL EXAMINATION: None
Date
Last Edited: October 9, 2003