MD543/643: Mission to Children at Risk (4 units)
Dave Scott, Adjunct Instructor
in Children at Risk
Doug McConnell, Associate Professor of Leadership and Dean of the School of
Intercultural Studies
Fall 2006 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 hour sessions 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.) 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.
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.
Panter-Brick, Catherine & Smith, Malcolm T., Abandoned children. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2000.
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.
Haugen, Gary. Good News About Injustice. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1999.
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.
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.