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Number xxx, December, 2001 |
Faith, Justice, and Development Natalie D. Ware |
I. About the Course
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| About WE-Town: WE-Town is about World Education and a community of potential teachers and courses. The web site includes proposed distance learning enabled courses that could be taught given even students. If you are interested in taking this as a course contact the potential instructor, who will specialize in this area and at minimum have a Master's Degree in the relevant area of study. For more information, contact Dr. James Lee, American University. |
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"Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter - when you see the naked, to clothe him, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? - Isaiah 58: 6-9
In an effort to engage in greater understanding of Jesus Christ and His ministry, we as followers of Christ can strive to attain not only knowledge, but also practical application of God's justice and love for the poor and oppressed. This is a distance-earning course designed to explore the truth of God's Word, the reality of poverty and the structures which maintain and exacerbate it, and those individuals and organizations seeking to eradicate poverty in the name of Christ. The course includes a cursory overview of the paradigms of international development and local, national, and global actors involved in the field. It also provides personal introspection and reflection into God's call for justice in the midst of inequality, oppression, and discrimination. Utilizing partnerships with individuals and organizations active in Christian social ministry in the United Kingdom, West Africa, and Southeast Asia, attention is given to best practices and lessons learned.
While the course is taught from the Christian perspective, students of all faiths are welcomed and encouraged to participate. Due to the demanding and comprehensive nature of the course, only ten students per semester are allowed to register. This helps to ensure more active participation
Readings, papers, and project assignments are designed to incorporate large amounts information and to allow the student to develop his/her own philosophy regarding faith and development. The work is demanding yet manageable. By the end of the semester students will be able to identify the causes of development; policies, structures and institutes which exacerbate conflict; understand the response of the church to poverty; recommend ways in which Christian organizations and institutions can help bring about justice; network with Christian organizations of interest and understand their methods of development; and gain insight on practical ways of living a more simple, global conscious life for Christ.
Course Requirements and Grading
1. Three papers (50%)
2. Participation - including posting journal entries, comments, etc. and teleconferencing (25%)
3. Final presentation on Christian organization (25%)
Development
The Church and Theology
Journal articles from Sojourners, Christian Century, Christianity and Crisis, Worldview
Areas covered
Week 1 Introduction
Defining development, God's calling to His people, social justice
Week 2 Theories of Development
Dependency, modernization, basic needs
Week 3 God and development
God's love for the poor and oppressed, Christ's life, social justice and the Church
Guest lecturer
Week 4 Development Assistance
International financial institutions, donor governments, debt crisis, structural adjustment
Week 5 Response to failure of International Community
Jubilee 2000, HIPC
Week 6 Globalization and Democratization
Multinational corporations, Fair trade, Good governance
Week 7 Local Community Response
Social Capital, Civil Society, Grassroots organizing
Examples from Africa, Asia, and Latin America
Guest Lecturer
Week 8 Conflict and Peacebuilding
Peace, justice, pacifism
Guest Lecturer
Week 9 Case studies: Individuals
Mother Theresa, Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Paulo Freire, Desmond Tutu
Week 10 Case studies: Organizatios
World Vision, Christian Aid, World Relief, Catholic Relief Services
Week 11Sustainability
Week 12 Application
Students must have access to a computer and the internet. Microsoft NetMeeting will be the primary means of communication. Students will post journal notes, questions, and comments on the Whiteboard. Several guest lecturerers will present by video conferencing. Ideally, everyone will participate at the same time for questions and discussion. Due to the location and time difference of speakers and students, some presentations will be prerecorded and viewed at student's leisure. A computer camera (WebCam), speakers and microphone are required for virtual sessions.
Other WE-Town Classes
Introduction to World Religions
Relevant Websites
Africa Faith and Justice Network
Christian Reformed World Relief Committee
International Development Resources
United Methodist Committee on Relief
He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. -Proverbs 18:28
Rich and poor have this in common: the LORD is the Maker of them all. -Proverbs 22:2
"I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." Jesus Christ -Matthew 25:40