Southern Methodist University Perkins School of Theology Youth Ministry Certification: Ministry with Youth Winter 2016 Course Objectives: After completing this course, students will be able to: Discuss and reflect on the systemic, socio-cultural, and theological issues in the lives of young people (adolescents) from the congregational perspective. Observe, participate and evaluate effective youth ministry models (including theological framework and integration, pastoral care, and spiritual formation) Develop an approach to pastoral care that embraces a deep and broad theological interpretation of human and family experience. Become a self-aware helping professional in terms of personal and professional identity, thus exploring ways the self of the care-provider is intrinsic to the process of Christian care-giving and pastoral care. Articulate basic tenets of development related to adolescents, in order to demonstrate conceptual mastery and integration in local church ministry. Gain a working understanding of what happens to young people in situational crises, and to better understand the dynamics of selected special problem areas in the lives of young humans. Analyze differences and similarities between theoretical, educational and cultural aspects of understanding adolescents. Demonstrate ability to apply theoretical ideas about family communication and interaction with adolescents within the context of the congregation. Readily write and/or verbally articulate a theology of youth ministry. Identify current key research components for continued, life-long education. Course meetings: Course interaction will occur through a lecture/seminar format: Sunday - Friday, January 10-15, 2016 Course Instructors: Evan Jones, C.M.E Rev. Gary MacDonald, M.Div. Dr. Evelyn Parker, M. Div., Ph.D. Rev. Andrew Stoker, M. Div., Ph.D. ejones@crumc.org gmacdona@smu.edu eparker@smu.edu astoker@fumcdallas.org *Send class inquires and assignments to Dr. Stoker at astoker@fumcdallas.org. Emails will be returned within 48 hours. Questions about class schedule and assignments should be directed toward class instructors. For other questions concerning the Certification courses contact the course administrator, Tonya Burton @ tburton@smu.edu or 214-768-1333. YMC Ministry with Youth Winter 2016 1
Required Texts Adams, G. R., & Berzonsky, N. (2005). Blackwell handbook on adolescence. Thousand Oaks, CA: Wadsworth. ISBN: 1-405-13302-3 Baker, D. G., & Mercer, J. A. (2007). Lives to offer: Accompanying youth on their vocational quests (Youth Ministry Alternatives). Cleveland, OH: Pilgrim. 0-8298-1726-3 Harris, M. (2004). Portrait of youth ministry. Portland, OR: Wipf & Stock. ISBN: 1-59-244451-2 Nouwen, Henri. (1979) The Wounded Healer: Ministry in Contemporary Society. New York: Doubleday Image. ISBN-13: 978-0385148030 Recommended Texts Bengston, V. L., Biblarz, T. J., & Roberts, R. E. L. (2002). How families still matter: A longitudinal study of youth in two generations. New York: Cambridge University. ISN: 0-521-80423-X Brumberg, J. J. (1998). The body project: An intimate history of American girls. New York: Vintage. ISN: 0-679- 73529-1 Giroux, H. A. (2003). The abandoned generation: Democracy beyond the culture of fear. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. ISBN: 1-4039-6536-9 Hine, T. (2000). The rise and fall of the America teenager: A new history of the American adolescent experience. New York: HarperPerennial. ISBN: 0-380-72853-2 Hoolihan, P. (2009). Launching your teen into adulthood: Parenting through the transition. Minneapolis, MN: Search Institute. ISBN: 1-57482-273-X Levenkron, S. (2006). Cutting: Understanding and overcoming self-mutilation. New York: Norton. ISBN: 0-393- 31938-5 Parker, E. L. (2003). Trouble don t last always: Emancipatory hope among African American adolescents. Cleveland, OH: Pilgrim. 0-8298-1540-6 Simmons, R. (2002). Odd girl out: The hidden culture of aggression in girls. New York: Harcourt. ISBN: 0-15- 602734-8 Smith, C., & Denton, M. L. (2005). Soul searching: The religious and spiritual lives of American teenagers. New York: Oxford University. IBSN: 0-19-518095-X Additional readings from articles and web sites will be assigned throughout the course. YMC Ministry with Youth Winter 2016 2
Plagiarism Policy Plagiarism is not tolerated and will result in an F grade for the class. Plagiarism is defined as the following: To represent ideas or interpretations taken from another source as one s own is plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious offense. The academic work of students must be their own. Students must give the author(s) credit for any source material used. To lift content directly from a source without giving credit is a flagrant act. To present a borrowed passage after having changed a few words, even if the source is cited, is also plagiarism. Misrepresentation or falsification of logs, notes, treatment plans, or other material is not tolerated and will result in an F grade for the class. Please reference the SMU honor code. Disability Accommodations Disability Accommodations: Students needing academic accommodations for a disability must first contact Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies (DASS) at 214-768-1470 or www.smu.edu/alec/dass.asp to verify the disability and to establish eligibility for accommodations. They should then schedule an appointment with the professor to make appropriate arrangements. (See University Policy No. 2.4; an attachment describes the DASS procedures and relocated office.) Statement on Confidentiality and Emotional Safety In order to provide a safe learning environment for students in the class and to protect the confidentiality of practice clients and class members, students will discuss case material and other s personal information, reactions, etc. only while in class or privately with other current class members. In addition, should a student recognize or know practice clients as shown in class, it is the student s responsibility to promptly inform the instructor so that appropriate arrangements can be made. It is the responsibly of each class member to treat classmates with respect and integrity, thus providing emotional safety for each other during class activities. All students in the Counseling Department will demonstrate behavior that is consistent with the Ethical Standards forwarded by the APA and ACA in their code of ethics. Failure to do so can result in termination from the Department. Narrative of Course Assignments Youth Ministry Evaluation: This is a content analysis assignment of a congregation s engagement with adolescents in their ministries. Create an Excel (or Numbers) spreadsheet with three columns: Program, Objective, and Engagement. Critique, evaluate and acknowledge the ministry attributes of each youth ministry type. Then, write a 3-page, double-spaced essay comparing and contrasting the ministry execution of three differing youth ministries. Finally, create a one-page guiding questions sheet for the student s own use in their own ministry setting and student s own use in evaluating third-party curricula. The instructor s objective of this assignment is to enlist critical thinking and evaluation onto ministry areas within churches. (50 points). A Parents Education Seminar Session: Develop a 60-minute research based seminar on one of the subjects below. Requirements: 1) A written outline of the presentation; 2) One page, 8 ½ x 11, hand-out summarizing the seminar, 3) A powerpoint seminar is optional (discussion is preferred) [if powerpoint is utilized, the presentation is limited to 10 slides; moreover, for students for whom English is a second language, powerpoint maybe utilized as a language assistant], and 4) Utilization of a content analysis and glossary are vitally important. The instructor s objective for this assignment is to prepare the student for the performance of a teaching act for their congregation. (25 points). YMC Ministry with Youth Winter 2016 3
Proposed Session Topics Eating Disorders Premarital Sex Classism in Adolescence Epistemology in Adolescence Commercialization Poverty in Adolescence Homosexuality and Adolescence Communication in Families Cultural Diversity Gender Role Development Death and Dying Adolescents w/ Special Needs Utopian Ideology in Adolescence Dating Violence Stress and Adolescents Reading & Participation: This portion of the grade will be determined on the first session of the class. The coursework is nothing without commitment to class and its course. (25 points). Course Point Break-down Youth Ministry Evaluation 50 points Teaching Seminar 25 points Participation 25 points Total points possible: 100 points Grade Description 100-90 A 89-80 B 79-75 C 74-70 D 69-below F YMC Ministry with Youth Winter 2016 4
Diagram: Overall Course Outline and Schedule Class Session Topic/Assignment Readings Unit One Sunday, Jan 10 Introductions; Class Overview; The Birth of Adolescence ; Cultural Understanding of Adolescence Harris, Section One Unit Two Monday, Jan 11 Purpose Driven Youth Ministry Unit Three Monday, Jan 11 Leadership with, within and throughout Youth Ministry Unit Four Tuesday, Jan 12 Unit Five Tuesday, Jan 12 Unit Six Wednesday, Jan 13 Vocational Youth Ministry Systems and Adolescents ; Family Systems Theory; Religious Lives of Teenagers; Dynamics of Adolescent Process Adolescent Girls, Part 2: Popularity; Parents & Teachers; Theology of Girls and Boys Grinenko Baker & Mercer text Adams, pp. 51-91 Unit Seven Wednesday, Jan 13 Unit Eight Thursday, Jan 14 Introduction to Pastoral Care: Adolescent Development: Autonomy; Identity; Cognitive; Moral; Emotional; Self-Concept; Self-Esteem Curriculum and Program Design Adams, Part III, pp. 173-309 Unit Nine Thursday, Jan 14 Key Research in Adolescent Development and Youth Ministry: Dating; Friendship; Adult Relationships; Adolescent Sexuality; Intimate Relationships; Adolescent Pregnancy; Sexually Transmitted Diseases Harris text; Adams, pp. 313-449, 571-605 Unit Ten Friday, Jan 15 Personal and Professional Identity YMC Ministry with Youth Winter 2016 5