Justice and Community Development (DM9746Z)

Postgraduate, 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. Prophetic imagination, peacemaking, community building, advocacy, partnership building, and political activism will be explored for addressing structural and social injustice.

Unit code: DM9746Z

Unit status: Approved (Major revision)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

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.

Critically evaluate principles and practices of Community Development as they relate to the alleviation of injustice
3.

Creatively apply biblical and theological resources in promoting justice and shalom
4.

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

Unit sequence

A unit available for postgraduate elective study

Pedagogy

Lectures, readings, online exercises, case studies, discussions, creative interaction and/or field trips.

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 (%)
Portfolio 6000 100.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 15 Apr, 2026

Unit record last updated: 2026-04-15 09:49:07 +1000