15800 Calvary Road Kansas City, MO 64147-1341 Syllabus Course: YM235-D&DN Principles and Methods of Youth Ministry (Blended) Credit: 3 Semester Hours Semester: Fall 2018 (Cycle 2, Aug 27 Oct 19) Time: 2:00-3:20 pm, MWF Instructor: Dr. Michel Dodds. (816) 322-5152 ext. 1348, mike.dodds@calvary.edu, (913) 638-3291 (cell) *About This Class: This is a blended class, meaning that both campus and online students take this class together. Campus students attend the classes in person, online students attend the classes via the online classroom. All interaction and assignments for campus and online students are done in the online classroom. *About Disabilities: Students with disabilities have the responsibility of informing the DSS Director(dss@calvary.edu) of any disabling condition that may require support. *About Assistance for All Course Assignments: The Clark Academic Center (learning@calvary.edu) is dedicated to providing free academic assistance for all CU students. Student tutors aid with all facets of the writing process, tutor in various subject areas, prepare students for exams, and facilitate tests. Please take advantage of this service. *About Changes to this Syllabus: The instructor reserves the right to make changes to this syllabus at any time during the course, but any changes made will only be done after clearly communicating the need for the change and the specific change to be made via in-class announcement and Canvas announcement. I. DESCRIPTION This course will include all aspects of youth ministry, including: local church, parachurch and Christian camping. A biblical philosophy as well as practical methods for youth ministry will be studied. An analysis of various programs will be considered. The diversity of youth as well as their different developmental stages will be examined. Vocational opportunities and practical life experience in youth ministries will be discussed. II. OBJECTIVES A. General competencies to be achieved. The student will be able to... 1. Understand the Biblical truths and principles which establish the proper foundation for Youth Ministry. (BOT: 1; MS: 2) 2. Understand the history of Youth Ministry and the developmental needs of youth which must inform contemporary Youth Ministry. (BOT: 2; MS: 2) Our Mission: To Live According to a Biblical Worldview and Serve
3. Be conversant concerning the different contemporary views and venues of Youth Ministry. (BOT: 5; MS: 2) 4. Develop a basic philosophy toward Youth Ministry. (BOT: 7; MS: 2) B. Specific competencies to be achieved. The student will be able to... 1. Articulate understanding of the biblical foundation for Youth Ministry. (A) 2. Distinguish the dominant views of Youth Ministry. (B) 3. Critically evaluate the various Youth Ministry Methodologies. (C, D) 4. Develop a basic statement of personal philosophy of Youth Ministry. (E) 5. Demonstrate comprehension of all course material. (F) III. REQUIREMENTS *Note: Specific instructions for each assignment are posted in Canvas. A. Study the biblical foundation for youth ministry and write a paper. 1. Research ministry and ministry to youth as described in the Bible (i.e., in addition to the biblical evidence, consult a minimum of 3 credible sources). 2. Present the conclusions from this study in a 5 page research essay. B. Read the course textbook and write summary papers. 1. Read the textbook and write a five (5) page summary and critical interaction for each of the four views presented (i.e. 20 pages total). 2. In each of the 4 papers, include the following elements: a. A 1 2 page summary of the view toward youth ministry. b. A 3 4 page critique/evaluation/response to the view toward youth ministry using the following criteria: 1) Strengths/Arguments for: list five (5) strengths or arguments for the position (be sure to indicate page numbers with your observations). 2) Weaknesses/Arguments against: note three to five (3 5) weaknesses or arguments against this position (noting page numbers as appropriate). 3) Reflections: Finally, present principles and methods of youth ministry if this viewpoint/position were taken/employed in the student s youth ministry context anticipated after graduation. C Interview people directly involved with a specific method for youth ministry, write a paper of summary observations, and present findings to the class. 1. Select one of the categories of specific youth ministry methodology and interview an experienced individual(s) who has been significantly involved in that kind of ministry (note: the specific ministry methodology and individual to interview will be selected in class). 2. For the interview(s), a questionnaire will be developed in class. Page 2
3. Following the interview(s), conduct further research on the topic using resources suggested during the interview(s) as well as other resources in order to expand understanding of the methodology as well as for developing a selected bibliography of good resources to make available to the class. 4. From the interview(s) and further research, (a) write a 5 page paper describing and evaluating the methodology, (b) make a handout with summary findings and a bibliography to be presented to the rest of the class, and (c) make a 30 minute presentation of the methodology to the class (to include being prepared with answers to 5 questions which may be raised by the presentation). (NOTE: Blended students must video record this presentation, provide the handout PLUS answers to the 5 questions, and make these available to be viewed/presented in class.) D. Come to specific class sessions with questions. 1. For specific class sessions (i.e., noted in the class schedule), prepare at least 3 pertinent questions to be used in the discussion each of these days. E. Write a pager stating a personal philosophy of youth ministry. 1. Over the course of the assignments, the student should be thinking through and processing his/her understanding of the necessary principles for youth ministry; this paper will be a final summation of personal convictions about youth ministry which the student wants to be a part of any youth ministry he/she will be involved with in the future. 2. This paper should include the following categories: a. The overall youth ministry objective. b. The biblical basis for youth ministry. c. The biblical principles of youth ministry. d. The biblical activities of youth ministry. e. The personal ministry values the student will minister according to in his/her future ministry (i.e., those specific elements of youth ministry which the student believes should be a part of his/her future youth ministry). 3. This paper will be at least ten (10) pages. F. Take exams. 1. The student will take two (2) essay / short answer exams. IV. METHODS A. Presentation: 1. In-class methods: lecture, class discussions, guest presenters, and student presentations. Page 3
*About Class Attendance: Research consistently demonstrates that class attendance and active participation correlate to higher performance on course assessments. Therefore, the following attendance policies will be followed to encourage greatest course engagement. -In-class students may take 2 class sessions as personal days, but missing a 3 rd class session will result in a reduction of the final grade one letter (e.g., an A will become a B ); each additional class session missed will reduce the final grade an additional letter for each missed session. -Blended students may miss 1 attendance deadline (i.e., attendance is marked the following week the day before the in-class session) without any academic activity (e.g., watching class video and answering discussion question, submitting an assignment), but when they miss a 2 nd attendance deadline, the final course grade will be reduced one letter grade; each additional deadline missed will result in an additional reduction of final grade an additional letter for each miss. -Medical / family emergency / school activities will be marked as excused absences and not affect course final grade; however, verification of these absences must be presented in writing to be considered as excused absences. -Any questions / appeals concerning attendance decisions must begin with the course instructor (per Matthew 18:15) before any appeal to others concerning the issue. *About Classroom Decorum: See the Student Handbook under Various Class Policies, Classroom and Chapel Decorum. *About Taking Notes: Students are expected to take notes during each class discussion. (Note: Studies had consistently demonstrated that the process of doing hand-written notes is far superior for learning than those taken using computer devices; if computing devices are used they must not distract others or be used for non-class-related activities). 2. Out-of-class methods: reading, researching, writing, and studying for quizzes. B. Grading: *About Late Assignments: Assignments are due by 10:00pm of the date listed in the Class Schedule; after that time, late assignment grades will be lowered 5% for each day it is late. *About Plagiarism: Plagiarism is defined as copying any part of a book or paper without identifying that source. This also includes taking another person s ideas and presenting them as your own without identifying the source. Any assignment that includes plagiarism will receive a zero (0) grade. *About course grade: See the grading scale in the college catalog for specific grading scale that will be used for final course grade. 1. General grading criteria: A = completed assignment well beyond assignment criteria B = completed assignment as specified and very well done Page 4
V. MATERIALS YM235-D&DN Principles and Methods of Youth Ministry C = completed assignment with average work D = completed assignment but poorly F = did not complete assignment and/or unacceptable work 2. Grading criteria for all written assignments: -All class papers must follow the Turabian style according to A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations, 8th edition and the Calvary Style Guide, 2015 update. -An assignment-specific rubric will be provided for each assignment. 3. Possible points for each assignment: a. Biblical Foundations Paper (1 @ 100).... = 80 points b. View Summary Papers (4 @ 100 ea.).... = 400 c. Methodology Interview & Paper (1 @ 50; 1 @100; 1 @ 50)............. = 200 d. Vital Questions (7 @ 10 ea.)........ = 70 e. Philosophy of Youth Ministry paper (1 @ 200) = 190 d. Exams (2 @ 25 each)........... = 50 Total Possible: 1000 points A. Primary Textbook: 1. English Bible (NAS, NASB-U, NKJV, NET, ESV, or other by approval). -The Bible is a required textbook in every course at Calvary University. To facilitate academic level study, students are required to use for assignments and research an English translation or version of the Bible based on formal equivalence (meaning that the translation is generally word-for-word from the original languages), including any of the following: New American Standard (NASB, English Standard Version (ESV), New King James (NKJV), or King James (KJV). Other translations and versions based on dynamic equivalence (paraphrases, and thoughtfor-thought translations like NLT and NIV) may be used as supplemental sources. Please ask the professor if you have questions about a particular translation or version. 2. Senter, Mark H., III., Wesley Black, Chap Clark, and Malan Nel. 2001. Four Views of Youth Ministry and the Church. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. ISBN: 978-0310-2340-50. Retail: $17.99. VI. TENTATIVE COURSE SCHEDULE [Note: An expanded schedule will be presented during the first class session.] VII. BIBLIOGRAPHY *Note: most of these volumes are in the Calvary University Library. Page 5
A. Clark, Chap and Kara E. Powell. 2006. Deep Ministry in a Shallow World: Not-So- Secret Findings about Youth Ministry. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. ISBN-13: 978-0310-2670-72. Retail: $18.99 B. DeVries, Mark. 2004. Family-Based Youth Ministry. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press. ISBN-13: 978-0830-8324-39. Retail: $17.00 C. Fields, Doug. 2013. Purpose Driven Youth Ministry: 9 Essential Foundations for Healthy Growth. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. ISBN-13: 978-0310-6948-54. Retail: $16.99 D. Yaconelli, Mark. 2008. Getting Fired for the Glory of God: Collected Works of Mike Yaconelli for Youth Workers. Grand Rapids: Zondervan. ISBN-13: 978-0310- 2835-84. Retail: $16.99 Page 6