Content

In this unit students will address some of the challenges facing clergy and youth workers in the Church today in attempting to minister to adolescents who live in today’s youth culture. Students will examine the ever-changing adolescent world, which is in a continual state of flux, and look at the influence of music, fashion, entertainment, media and peers, to name a few, and how this shapes the morals, values and ethics of today’s young people. The central question we will be asking is 'How do we make spirituality and Orthodox teachings relevant to the lives of youth in the 21st century?'

Unit code: DA1109A

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 1

Unit discipline: Mission and Ministry

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: St Athanasius College

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Learning outcomes

1.

List and describe at least three issues of culture confronting young people today.

2.

Articulate the impact that “pop” (popular) culture has on today’s youth and their world view.

3.

Investigate various methods for enhancing teen spirituality and creating an environment where Christian faith is relevant in the lives of youth.

4.

Develop strategies for ministering to adolescents in their various contexts.

Pedagogy

Twelve weekly sessions, comprising guided readings from the set texts, additional reading resources. Online classes will also have an online tutorial. Students will be expected to contribute to six discussions on a fortnightly basis.

Indicative Bibliography

Textbooks

  • Clark, Chap.* Hurt 2.0 : Inside the World of Today's Teenagers. Youth, Family and Culture*. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2011.
  • Howe, Neil and William Strauss, Millennials Rising: The Next Generation, New York, NY: Vintage Books, 2000.
  • Smith, Timothy. The Seven Cries of Today’s Teens, Nashville, TN: Integrity Publishers, 2003.

Other Recommended Texts (not required)

  • Barna, George Real Teens: A Contemporary Snapshot of Youth Culture, Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 2001
  • Borgman, Dean When Kumbaya is Not Enough, Peabody, MA: Hendrickson Publishers, 1997.
  • Borgman, Dean. Foundations for Youth Ministry: Theological Engagement with Teen Life and Culture. Second Edition. ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2013.
  • Burns, Jim The Youth Builder, California: Gospel Light, 2001
  • Cole, Basil Music & Morals: A Theological Appraisal of the Moral and Psychological Effects of Music, New York: Alba House, 1993
  • Griffiths, Steve. Models for Youth Ministry Learning from the Life of Christ. London: SPCK, 2013.
  • Mueller, Walt Youth Culture 101, Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2007
  • Mueller, Walt Understanding Today’s Youth Culture, Wheaton, IL: Tyndale, 1999
  • Root, Andrew, and Kenda Creasy Dean. The Theological Turn in Youth Ministry. Downers Grove, Ill.: IVP Books, 2011.
  • Schultze, Quentin J., and Calvin Center for Christian Scholarship. Dancing in the Dark: Youth, Popular Culture, and the Electronic Media. Grand Rapids, Mich.: W.B. Eerdmans Pub. Co., 1991.
  • “State of Australia’s Young People Report Statistical Snapshot,” Australian Government, accessed August 11, 2014,http://www.youth.gov.au/sites/youth/articles/pages/stateofaustraliasyoungpeoplereportstatisticalsnapshot

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

Essay 2 – 2000 words

2000 50.0
Essay

Essay 1 – 1500 words

1500 30.0
Forum

Online discussion and worksheets equivalent to 500 words

500 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 31 Dec, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2021-06-04 10:13:55 +1000