Justice and Community Development (DM3746Z)

Undergraduate, 18.0 points

Content

This unit introduces students to the social, political and cultural contexts of injustice in contemporary Australia, reflecting on missional and ethical responses. Community Development principles will be brought into dialogue with biblical and theological sources expressing God’s desire for justice and shalom. Themes of prophetic imagination, peacemaking, community building, resistance and advocacy, partnership building, and political activism will be explored for addressing structural and social injustice. Critical reflection on practices evidenced in case studies drawn from key historical figures and movements, as well as current Community Ministry practitioners will also be engaged with.

Unit code: DM3746Z

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Missiology

Proposing College: Uniting College for Leadership and Theology

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Learning outcomes

1.

Critically reflect on missiological and ethical responses to contexts of injustice
2.

Evaluate principles of Community Development as they relate to the alleviation of injustice
3.

Articulate understanding of biblical and theological resources, as well as the themes explored during the unit, for promoting justice and shalom
4.

Develop a missional response to a named context of injustice using community development principles

Unit sequence

A unit available for undergraduate elective study

Pedagogy

UCLT uses primary and secondary sources considered through different lenses to identify and explore the challenges of the unit material for the contemporary world. Students are engaged in a range of comparative, analytical and reflective practices to identify the original meanings of the text in their contexts and to interpret them hermeneutically.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Brueggemann, Walter, and Davis Hankins. The Prophetic Imagination (version 40th anniversary edition.). Minneapolis Minnesota: Fortress Press, 2018.
  • Calvocoressi, Elfrida. A Spirituality of Peacemaking: Putting Biblical Principles into Action. Grove Spirituality, S135. Cambridge: Grove Books Limited, 2015.
  • Craig, Gary, ed. Community Organising against Racism: 'Race', Ethnicity and Community Development. Bristol, UK: Policy Press, 2018.
  • Eversley, John. Social and Community Development: An Introduction. London: Red Globe Press, 2019.
  • Gordon, Wayne, and John Perkins. Making Neighborhoods Whole: A Handbook for Christian Community Development. Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Books, 2013.
  • Ledworth, Margaret. Community Development: A Critical and Radical Approach. Third Edition. Bristol: Policy Press 2020.
  • Morisy, Ann. Beyond the Good Samaritan: Community Ministry and Mission. London: Continuum, 1997.
  • Sensenig, Peter M. Peace Clan: Mennonite Peacemaking in Somalia. Eugene, Oregon: Pickwick Publications, 2016.
  • Woodley, Randy. Shalom and the Community of Creation: An Indigenous Vision. Prophetic Christianity. Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans Pub, 2012.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Summative Reflection - Missiological and ethical responses to injustice 1000 25.0
Investigation - God's Shalom

This could be presented as an essay, a short film, a recorded presentation, etc.

2000 45.0
Concept map/mind map - A missional response to a named context of injustice 1500 30.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 4 Aug, 2023

Unit record last updated: 2023-08-04 15:15:03 +1000