MD543: Mission to Children at Risk
(4 units)
Doug
McConnell, Associate Professor of Leadership and Dean of the School of
Intercultural Studies
Dave Scott, Adjunct Instructor in Children at Risk
Fall 2005 Pasadena
DESCRIPTION:
From the AIDS orphan to the
child soldier, every day kids all over the world struggle in unfair situations
that place them at risk. This course is designed to provide a deeper
understanding of the problems these children face and introduce students to
some of the tools and perspectives needed to show the holistic love of Christ.
Course topics will include an overview of the major risk factors that affect
children, theological foundations necessary to work with them long-term, and
presentation of best practices drawn from two millennia of the Church's
effective work with children.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
· Acquire
the basic tools for understanding the biblical and theological principles for
mission to children at risk.
·
Develop awareness of a Christian response
informed by an understanding of the problems and best practices of mission to
children at risk.
COURSE FORMAT:
Class
will meet weekly for three hours throughout the quarter. A presentation and
discussion format will be used, allowing time for small group interaction in
which students will have opportunity to evaluate principles and practices of
mission to children at risk. The course
is team taught with input from academicians & practitioners.
REQUIRED READING:
(Required reading in each text will be identified in syllabus.)
Haugen,
Gary. Good News About Injustice.
Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1999.
Hecht, Tobias. At Home in the Street.
Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1998.
Miles, Glenn & Wright, Josephine-Joy, Celebrating
Children. Carlisle, Cumbria: Paternoster Press, 2003.
Myers, Glenn. Children in Crisis.
Cumbria, UK: OM Publishing, 1998.
Stephenson, Paul & Miles, Glenn, Child
Development Study Pack. Tear Fund, UK.
RECOMMENDED READING:
Garbarino,
James, Children and Families in the
Social Environment. New York, NY:
Aldine De Gruyter, 1992.
Kilbourn, Phyllis, ed., Healing the
Children of War. Monrovia, CA: MARC
Publishing, 1995.
Ibid, Street Children: A Guide to
Effective Ministry. Monrovia, CA:
MARC Publishing, 1997.
Ibid, Children Affected by HIV/AIDS. Monrovia, CA: MARC Publishing, 2002.
Kilbourn, Phyllis & McDermid, Marjorie, eds., Sexually exploited children: Working to protect and heal. Monrovia:
MARC, 1998.
McDonald, Patrick. Children at risk:
Networks in action. Monrovia: MARC Publications, 2001.
Speakman, Danielle. Nothing but a thief. Sovereign World, 2002.
Zuck, Roy B., Precious in His Sight. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1996.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. An annotated bibliography on
1300 pages of required reading.
2. A risk focus paper detailing initial
research into a category of children at risk (500-750 words, week 2).
3. A summary of an interview with a
person who works with children at risk (1,000 words, week 4).
4. A theological reflection paper
(1,500 words, week 7).
4. A final paper researching an aspect
of children at risk with implications for mission (3,500 words).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATION TO CURRICULUM:
Elective in SIS. Meets Globalization requirement for MAT.
FINAL EXAM: Yes.