MD543: Mission to Children at Risk (4 units)
Desiree Segura-April, Assistant Professor of Children at Risk
Dave Scott, Adjunct Instructor in Children at Risk
Fall 2007 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:

1. Acquire the basic tools for understanding the biblical and theological principles for mission to children at risk.
2. 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 for two weeks, three hours per day. 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 and 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.

1. Brewster, Dan, Child, Church & Mission. Compassion International, 2005.
2. McConnell, Doug, Paul Stockley and Jennifer Orona, Understanding God’s Heart for Children. Monrovia, CA: World Vision Publishing, 2007.
3. Miles, Glenn and Wright, Josephine-Joy, Celebrating Children. Carlisle, Cumbria: Paternoster Press, 2003.
4. Myers, Glenn. Children in Crisis. Cumbria, UK: OM Publishing, 2006.
5. Panter-Brick, Catherine & Smith, Malcolm T., Abandoned children. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2000.
6. Stephenson, Paul & Miles, Glenn, Child Development Study Pack. Tear Fund, UK.
7. Course Reader

RECOMMENDED READING:

1. Bunge, Marcia J. The Child in Christian Thought. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 2001.
2. Haugen, Gary. Good News About Injustice. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1999.
3. Hecht, Tobias. At Home in the Street. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 1998.
4. Kilbourn, Phyllis, ed., Healing the Children of War. Monrovia, CA: MARC Publishing, 1995.
5. Ibid, Street Children: A Guide to Effective Ministry. Monrovia, CA: MARC Publishing, 1997.
6. Ibid, Children Affected by HIV/AIDS. Monrovia, CA: MARC Publishing, 2002.
7. Kilbourn, Phyllis and McDermid, Marjorie, eds., Sexually Exploited Children: Working to Protect and Heal. Monrovia: MARC, 1998.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Three 4-MAT papers (1,000 words each , one of which will be due on the first day of class and two more due in the weeks following the class sessions).
2. A risk focus paper detailing initial research into a category of children at risk (500-750 words, due on first day of class).
3. A small-group theological reflection, to be presented in-class.
4. A summary of an interview with a person who works with children at risk (1,000 words, due in the weeks following the class sessions).
5. A final paper with an annotated bibliography researching an aspect of children at risk with implications for mission (3,500 words, due end of quarter).

For ThM Students:

1. An overall greater analytical depth will be expected on all writing assignments.
2. Read an additional 250 pages and submit one additional 4MAT reflection paper (1,000 words)
3. An extended annotated bibliography with the final research paper

FINAL EXAM: None.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective in SIS. Meets Globalization requirement for MAT.

Last Date Edited: 20 June 2007