Fall Semester 2013 Religious Studies 190 & 190SS
Class Meeting Every Thursday (starting 8/30), 3:15-4:15pm
Class Meeting VL 307
Elective Internship
&
Service Internship
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Instructor: Ms. Kelly Soifer
(805) 876-4361,
Office Hours by appointment
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Course Description:
The focus of this course and the majority of required time will be spent at a chosen placement site. Students will develop a focused learning plan in consultation with the site supervisor. You will work at an approved internship site for a contracted number of hours. In addition, students are required to attend a classroom seminar approximately once every week for the dual purpose of being trained for and then processing the internship experience. In general, class time will be divided between roundtable discussion and the exploration of specific topics, defining an “epistemology of practice”; in other words, we want to look closely into the theological foundations for practical ministry and how to live out our faith and beliefs in the workplace. Speakers from off and on-campus will share knowledge and insight on topics that include but are not limited to Christian vocation and the development of requisite interpersonal skills in the workplace. By nature, this course requires a substantial measure of personal initiative, investment and responsibility. You will demonstrate integration of the course material in a presentation at end of term.
Rationale
This course offers an exceptional opportunity to apply classroom learning, integrate faith, and increase self-awareness in a practical setting. It aims at fostering new vocational and critical-reflective skills within a worksite. Lastly, it gives the intern specific experience within a church or para-church organization and allows the intern to flesh out belief and practice together, learning along the way from experienced practitioners. Students earning Serving Society credit under the Competent and Compassionate Action of the GE are required to work in a setting that provides an opportunity to explore issues of justice through exposure to differences in social class, gender, ethnicity, or human disability. Through action and reflection, the student will make integrative links between theory and practice as well as faith and work. Ideally, an internship experience will help the student transition to post-graduation.
Outcome:
Students will demonstrate integration of the following material:
· theological and practical foundations of ministry, especially in a vocational context;
· the concept of Christian vocation as it has been understood historically and in relations to our modern social setting; and
· issues of justice grounded in social class, gender, ethnicity, disability, the environment, or the impact of technology.
This outcome will be evaluated principally through the final student presentation, supplemented by other assignments and student contributions over the course of the semester.
Required Reading - These texts address issues of both theology and practice. Articles or internet links will be provided in class:
1. Theological Foundations for Ministry: Ministry in the Image of God: The Trinitarian Shape of Christian Service by Stephen Seamands, InterVarsity Press, 2005.
2. Spiritual Formation: The Radical Disciple by John Stott, InterVarsity Press, 2010.
3. Topical Issues: Select one of the following (depending on internship placement – please confirm book choice with instructor):
o Intercultural (Latino) ministry: A Future for the Latino Church: Models for Multilingual, Multigenerational Hispanic Congregations by Daniel Rodriguez and Manuel Ortiz
o Church Youth Ministry: Sustainable Youth Ministry by Mark DeVries
o Christian Education: Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning: An Approach to a Distinctively Christian Education by Douglas Wilson
o Creation Care: Serve God, Save the Planet by Matthew Sleeth
o Social Justice focus: Walking With the Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development by Bryant Myers
o Intercultural (multi-ethnic) ministry: Christianity Rediscovered by Vincent Donovan
o Recovery ministry: Addiction and Virtue by Kent Dunnington
o Pastoral ministry: The First 100 Days by Scott Daniels
ASSIGNMENTS
50% of the course grade is determined by the following assignments.
1. Participation: Participation is a necessary part of developing personal expression as well helping others to evaluate their own perspectives. An intern’s lack of participation not only limits his or her own development, but also limits others in the class who stand to benefit from other perspectives. Completion of the reading assignments is essential for enabling the intern to make a meaningful contribution. Course grade will be affected by absences. 150 points
2. Learning Plan: This plan outlines what the intern intends to learn during the internship experience. The intern assesses personal progress based on the learning plan in the final presentation/project. Submit Learning Plan electronically to instructor by Monday, Sept 17. 100 points
3. Response Papers: Two double-spaced response papers (2-4 pages each) are due over the course of the semester, reflecting your impressions of the Seamands and Stott books. Upload these on Google Docs and share editing privileges with instructor () by the due dates assigned. Emphasis is placed on personal reflection, comprehension and application. Two reflection papers, 50 points each 100 pts
4. Activity Log: You will track your time on your internship in terms of days and hours worked and the activities done during each day’s work. This log will be submitted in hard copy as part of your final project, but also uploaded to Google Docs for the instructor to view throughout the semester. 50 pts
5. Serving Society/Vocation Paper: 4-6 page reflection based on 3rd book choice as it applies to your internship. Similar to reflection papers, upload this to Google Docs and share with instructor. You are expected to integrate material from lectures and the other reading. This will be submitted with Final Portfolio 100 pts
6. Individual Appointment with Instructor: It is expected that each student will meet at least once, one-on-one, with instructor to talk over internship site, supervisor and job description. Students are responsible for scheduling these meetings – occurring directly before or after class meetings.
FINAL
20% of the course grade is determined by the final
1. Final Project: A portfolio format for the final will be provided. 150 points
2. 5-10 Minute Class Presentation: Based on your final portfolio. 50 points
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SUPERVISOR EVALUATION
30% of the course grade is determined by the site supervisor’s evaluation:
· See Employer Evaluation Form 300 points
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General Course Assignments (50%) 500
Final (Project + Presentation) (20%) 200
Employer/Supervisor Evaluation (30%) 300
Total Points 1000
THEOLOGICAL & PRACTICAL FOUNDATIONS TO BE TAUGHT IN COURSE
1. Ministry: Why?
2. Incarnational Witness
3. Contact Work and Relational Ministry Over Time
4. Intercultural Dynamics and Issues
5. Calling
6. Unconditional Love
7. Organization and Self-Management
8. Spiritual Devotion and Health
ASSIGNMENT DUE DATES
The following is a tentative schedule. Any changes will be announced in the seminar as they occur.
Date / Topic / Assignment30-Aug / Intro to Course & Learning Plan
MINISTRY: WHY? / - READING: Chapters 1-3, Seamands
- ILAF (approved by instructor and supervisor): due 9/14
(THURSDAY) / Selecting an Internship
13-Sept / INCARNATIONAL WITNESS
Discussion of Seamands text / - READING: Chapters 4-6, Seamands
- LEARNING PLAN: Submit electronically by 9/17
(THURSDAY)
27-Sept / CONTACT WORK – building relationships
RELATIONAL MINISTRY over time / - READING: Chapters 7-8, Seamands,
- EXPERIENCE: Intercultural observation, due 10/11
- RESPONSE PAPER #1: on Seamands, due 10/4
(THURSDAY)
11-Oct
(THURSDAY) / Discussion of Intercultural Observations
INTER CULTURAL MINISTRY / READING: Chapters 1-4, Stott
25-Oct / Pastors Panel / - READING: Chapters 5-8, Conclusion & Postscript, Stott
- RESPONSE PAPER #2: on Stott, due 11/1
(THURSDAY) / CALLING
(THURSDAY) / Discussion of Stott reading
HOW TO LOVE THOSE WHOM WE SERVE / READING: Start third book, related to internship
15-NOV / SPIRITUAL DEVOTION & HEALTH – how to minister over long haul; boundaries / (OPTIONAL: Students can take Strengths-Finder assessment and instructor will interpret assessment profiles individually)
(THURSDAY)
29-NOV
(THURSDAY) / LEADERSHIP: ORGANIZATION & DEVELOPMENT: especially time management, administration, how to avoid being a one-person show / FINAL PORTFOLIO: Should be assembling final projects.
6-DEC / FINAL PROJECTS: INDIVIDUAL PRESENTATIONS
(THURSDAY)
13-DEC / FINAL PORTFOLIOS due (NO CLASS)
(THURSDAY)
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