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Urban Ministry & Cross-Cultural
Program Curriculum
FRESHMAN/SOPHMORE YEAR: Introduction to the City
Students are encouraged to prepare for the year-long, urban study abroad program by taking a wide variety of classes their freshman and sophomore years that may include the following:
| Speech |
English Composition |
| Research Writing |
History of Western Civilization |
| Bible Study Methods |
World Religions |
| Cultural Anthropology |
Contemporary Religious Movements |
In addition, students will have the opportunity to take the School of Urban Ministry (SUM) as an introduction to U4C. SUM is a two semester, one night a week class where students can earn up to 6 credits (3 credits each semester). Moreover, SUM will get students into South Minneapolis exposing them to the issues and topics they will study in greater detail during their junior year as a resident of the city.
JUNIOR YEAR: Resident in the City
FALL SEMESTER
CREDITS
SPRING SEMESTER
CREDITS
COURSE DESCRIPTIONS
FALL SEMESTER
Principles of Urban Ministry:
This course is intended to provide the learner with an introduction to theory
and methodology of urban service from a Biblical perspective. An overview of the
history, theological trends, leadership and future of urban service, with attention
to Biblical principles for evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of urban
service and designs will be covered to give the students a greater understanding
of urban service.
History and Contemporary Issues:
This class is designed to give students a thorough understanding of the
history and development of Minneapolis as well as its current trends and
challenges. It gives the student and in-depth understanding of the milieu
in which he or she will be studying the rest of the urban classes. The course
will be taught using various learning methods including reading, lectures,
discussions, research, writing, field trips, media presentations and guest speakers. As in integrative approach, the students will engage in a combination of classroom preparations, field experience and post-experience analysis, creating a critical reference point for the student to deepen his or her Christian worldview, cross-cultural engagement, and understanding of diverse social and cultural contexts.
Demographics and Research Methods:
This class instructs students in the methods and procedures on how to conduct
and read urban demographics. The class will focus on the consumption of
demographic material to make competent, strategic decisions. The class will
also require students to conduct mini-research projects to further their
understanding of compiling demographic decisions.
Urban Social Psychology:
This course will cover various phenomena related to social influence – the power
of people to affect, persuade, or control the beliefs or behaviors of others.
The student will become familiar with fundamental topics in social psychology,
such as perception, motivation, attitudes, and attitude change.
Internship:
Supervised experience in a non-profit/ministry in the urban, cross-cultural
context. This course requires ministry involvement totaling at least 50 hours
per credit in the area of the student’s emphasis.
Independent Study:
This opportunity provides independent student research on a topic of his/her choice.
SPRING SEMESTER
Intercultural Communication:
This course emphasizes parallels in learning a language and learning a culture
in the urban, cross-cultural context. Course assignments and discussions are
designed for application in everyday encounters with individuals from other
cultures within the city.
Urban Economics, Entrepreneurship and Community Development:
This course is a study of the process of forming and managing a non-profit
organization, with a focus on the unique contributions and characteristics of
faith-based organizations. Students will spend eight hours on-sight at a local
ministry non-profit, attending board meeting, interviewing the chief executive
and observing programs. Through this field study, students will witness the
application of the concepts taught in class and will be asked to assess the
various aspects of the non-profit they are studying. In addition, students will
develop an overall concept/vision for a non-profit organization they would like
to start and will develop a strategic plan and case statement for it.
Race & Ethnicity in America:
In this course students will examine the issues surrounding race relations
in the United States. This examination will include some of the history of
race relations leading up to the most current racial climate. The class will
develop a Biblical grid through which to understand the issues. Students will
not only study the issues but also learn to think critically about Christian
and secular models currently offered to solve racial problems in our nation.
The class will also attempt to recast valuable secular models into Biblical
categories. The class will suggest alternative modes of thinking about race
relations to those concerned individuals and institutions in our culture.
Significant Urban Service Issues:
This class is designed to give students a good understanding of several
interrelated areas of urban service. The students will learn from practitioners
and specialists in each of the following areas: chemical dependency (including
detox, intervention strategies, treatment methods, community resources, 12-step
programs, etc.), teen pregnancy, prostitution and the sex industry, HIV/AIDS,
Homeland Security/INS, domestic violence, narcotics distribution and gangs.
Internship:
Supervised experience in a non-profit/ministry in the urban, cross-cultural
context. This course requires ministry involvement totaling at least 50 hours
per credit in the area of the student’s emphasis.
Independent Study:
This opportunity provides independent student research on a topic of his/her choice.
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