MD524/624:
Advocacy for Social Justice (4 units)
DESCRIPTION:
· In civil law, advocacy is the act of pleading for,
supporting, or recommending active espousal of someone’s cause. Social justice is a reference often used
to talk about the structuring of a just society in order to address and correct
instances of poverty, racism, sexism, or human oppression and exploitation.
Advocacy for social justice is arguably an integral, though often ignored, part
of the Judeo-Christian moral and spiritual mandate to speak up for or take up
the causes of those who suffer, yet have no advocates.
· This
course explores what it means for every Christian—whether working in a ministry
context or in a secular calling—to observe God’s call ‘to act justly, to love mercy, and to
walk humbly with your God.’
· Participants will explore various biblical,
theological, and historical traditions of social justice. We will investigate
detailed examples of injustice and models of advocacy, both in the United
States and internationally. Finally, students will research and uncover
specific and tangible ways in which ordinary Christians can intervene
individually and organizationally, in order to help remedy instances where
injustice exists.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: By
the end of this course you will:
· Analyze and compare various Christian traditions of social justice,
including those informed by Anabaptist, Catholic, Liberationist, and Reformed
thought.
· Compare the extent to which those models reflect a holistic approach to
the canon of the Old and New Testaments.
· Identify some of the cross-cultural barriers that must be addressed to affect
particular areas of social justice.
· Become familiar with a variety of organizations that deal with various
specific areas of social justice.
· Begin to construct a personal theology and spirituality of social
justice.
COURSE FORMAT:
The
class will meet daily for a one-week intensive for 7 hours per day. Each
session students will learn via lecture,
discussion of reading materials, and interaction with social agency
representatives or experts. Because the class is a one-week intensive, each
student must attend all of every class session and must participate through
discussion, questions, and interaction.
REQUIRED
READING: Read 1200 pages from the required reading and the bibliography. 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.
Bales, Kevin, 2000, Disposable People: New Slavery in the Global Economy, University
of California Press
Burghardt, Walter, 2004, Justice: A Global Adventure, Maryknoll: Orbis Books, New York.
Skillen, James, 2004, In Pursuit of Justice: Christian-Democratic
Explorations, Rowman & Littlefield
Publishers.
Sider, R., Olsen, P., Rolland-Unruh, H., 2002, Churches That Make a Difference: Reaching Your Community with Good News
and Good Works, Baker Books, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
RECOMMENDED READING: (some of these will
be on reserve shelves):
Fellmeth,
Robert C., 2002, Child Rights &
Remedies, Clarity Press Inc., Atlanta, Georgia.
Haugen, Gary A., 1999, Good News About
Injustice, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois.
Hilfiker, Dr. David, 2003, Urban
Injustice: How Ghettos Happen, Seven Stories Press.
Nouwen, Henri, 1998, The Road to Peace:
Writings on Peace and Justice, Maryknoll: Orbis Books, New York.
Mouw, Richard, Political Evangelism, 1973,
Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Myers, Bryant, 1999, Walking With the
Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development, Maryknoll:
Orbis Books, New York.
Sider, Ron, 1997, For They Shall Be Fed:
Scripture Readings and Prayers for a Just World, W Publishing Group.
Smedes, Lewis, 1983, Mere Morality: What
God Expects of Ordinary People, Eerdmans, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Walls, James, 2000, Faith Works: Lessons
from the Life of an Activist Preacher, Page Mill Press.
ASSIGNMENTS:
· Special reserve shelf reading in addition to required texts.
· Six, 500 word (two-page) critical book reviews from required texts and
reserve shelf reading.
· Submit a 3750 word (15-page) report or project detailing a clear,
understandable biblical and theological basis, as well as an active plan,
persuading and helping laity to become actively involved in a ministry of
social justice.
For ThM Students:
· Read an additional 300 pages and do two additional book reviews (one on a
theology of social justice, the other on practical implementations of social
justice).
PREREQUISITES: None
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.
Meets GLBL requirement for Master of Arts in Worship, Theology, and the Arts.
FINAL EXAM: None.