Fall 2008 Course Schedule and Descriptions
URB301 World-View Perspectives of City Life (3 Credits)
Tuesdays 4:30-7:30PM
Dr. John Yeatts
This course examines how modern and post-modern world-view perspectives shape people's lives and influence the settlement patterns we design and inhabit. Critical consideration is given to the systematic patterns of thought that characterize groups and eras, impact built urban environments, guide human behavior and facilitate the development of a personal world-view. [Satisfies the General Education requirement in "Worldviews/Pluralism"].
IDST300 Eco-Urban Footprints of Post Metropolis Life: Examining Natural and Social Ecologies of Philadelphia (3 Credits)
Wednesdays 4:30-7:30PM
Tim Clair, Executive Director of Fairmount Community Development Corporation
This course studies urban landscapes as hybrid phenomena that emerge from an integral relationship between human and ecological processes. Urban ecosystems of the Philadelphia metropolitan area are viewed as the outcome of complex interactions between socio-economic and bio-physical systems in which humans have been and continue to be the dominant agents of change. It is suggested that urban spatial patterns can be better understood by describing the unique relationship between land-use and land-cover as ecological footprints in postmetropolis landscapes. Students examine alternative development patterns within this urban landscape and assess and measure various effects on natural and social conditions within the neighborhoods of North-Central Philadelphia. Students will learn and use various techniques of analysis (including the use of Geographic Information Systems) in specific community-based research projects. Attention will be given to strategizing new forms of urban living that are conducive to ecological sustainability. [Satisfies the General Education requirement in "Science, Technology and the World."]
URB319 Practical Theology of the Urban Church (3 Credits)
Tuesdays 8-9:15 AM
Bishop Freeman Miller
This course studies how Christian beliefs and institutions have been shaped by and help to direct community life within urban locations. Course content focuses on current methods and skills of urban church ministry, community organizing, and social change within the city. Emphasis will be on the participant's own experience and discernments, resulting in some creative expression of how to build the church for the next generations. [Satisfies the General Education requirement in "Christian Beliefs."]
URB260 Philadelphia Urban Cross-Cultural (1 Credit)
Tuesdays, 10:15-11:15 AM
Ryan Wilson, Director of Community Life
By 2049 the preponderance of citizens in the United States will be persons of non-European (non-white) descent, In other words, those persons currently construed as "minorities" will constitute a new majority. As 2049 approaches, dynamics of national identity, language, education, economics, and political representation come to the fore. Indeed, the very meaning of "America" is at issue. Similarly Christians must reconsider their mission and identity as the Church. Will 11 o'clock Sunday morning remain "the most segregated hour in America?" Or will the Church fulfill its commision to be a house of prayer for all the nations? Throughout this course students will consider the accuracy and inaccuracy of their own cultural self-awareness and their perceptions...[Satisfies the General Education Cross-Cultural requirement in place of a third language course]
URB310 Urban Field Experience (3 Credits)
Mondays 8-9:30 PM
Debi Peterson
This service-learning field experience course focuses on the urban setting. Students accomplish at least 90 hours of service work during the semester in a field placement, meet in a weekly seminar and complete assignments designed to integrate a student’s academic interests, knowledge, and skills with field work. Please note that travel expenses to the field placement is the student's responsibility and may need to be considered before registering for this course.
INT 291/391 Professional Development Experience (1-3 credits)
This practical work experience will provide sophomore (INT 291), juniors and seniors (INT 391) with a means to gain initial exposure to career-related work settings under the professional supervision ot Internship Center staff. This does not substitute for departmental practicum credit.
INT394 Internship and Monthly or Weekly Seminar (4-12 credits)
Tuesdays 7:45-9:30 PM
Debi Peterson
Internships represent a learning strategy that integrates practical work experience with a directed, reflective, academic component to help you develop personal, professional and academic competencies. You will be using the workplace as a starting point for study; however, you will need to go beyond the common experiences of an employee. Study, reasoning, reflection, theoretical and/or conceptual exploration supplement your work experience to help you develop new skills and knowledge. If you have secured a placement for an internship, be sure that you have completed paperwork to register your internship for academic credit. These forms are available from the Internship Center or online. If you have not yet found an internship site, contact Debi Peterson (DPeterso@messiah.edu), Philadelphia Campus Internship Coordinator, for some suggestions.
Temple University Course Options
Go to www.temple.edu/bulletin to view course descriptions for courses offered through Messiah's Philadelphia Campus in partnership withTemple University. Temple's course schedule is available at www.temple.edu/tucourses.
