EM010-612 - Aid and Development

  • 2,784 Standard Tuition Fee
  • 12
    Credit Points
  • 0.125 EFT 
  • 6
    AQF level
  • Category developing unit
    B
  • evangelism missiolUnit Discipline

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will

A. Know and understand

Demonstrate Developing knowledge and understanding of philosophical and theological perspectives on aid and development.

B. Be able to

1. Define biblical and theological perspectives on aid and development

2. Account for general aid and development theories in the contemporary world

3. Analyse the issues involved in planning, implementing and evaluating community development projects

4. Present Analytical evidence-based perspectives on aid and development

C. Be in a position to

1. Applying perspectives and skills from ‘Aid and Development’ in contemporary Christian life and ministry contexts

Content

Section A: Philosophical and Theological Perspectives

  1. Biblical perspectives on aid and development: creation, the people of God, divine provision for the poor and needy; the example and teaching of Jesus; those in need in New Testament churches.
  2. Aid and development perspectives: descriptive analysis of international aid and agencies, Christian and secular; multilateral and bilateral programs; north-south debates; rural and urban situations.
  3. Economic issues: causes of poverty (local and in a country as a whole); international monetary policy and developing countries; third world debt; cycles of poverty; justice and social structures.
  4. Theological analysis: philosophies of development and aid; participatory community perspectives; development programmes in Christian missionary strategy; holism in current discussion.

Section B: Field Application

  1. Understanding an area before beginning a project; baseline surveys.
  2. Developing and evaluating community projects; equipping local people for leadership in aid and development projects; analysing and responding to their problems and needs.
  3. The role of outside organisations: philosophy; financial and human resources.
  4. Project evaluation; the people evaluating their own project; the outside organisation and its evaluation;
  5. Detailed examination of one case study of an aid or development project.

Set Readings

This unit's indicative bibliography is currently being revised. Students should contact their home college for further details at the time of taking this unit.


Prescribed:

Ajulu, D., Holism in Development (Monrovia: MARC, 2001).

Blomberg, C. L., Neither Poverty Nor Riches: A Biblical Theology of Possessions (Downers Grove, IL: IVP, 2001).

Bradshaw, B., Change Across Cultures: A Narrative Approach to Social Transformation (Grand Rapids: Baker, 2002).

Bussau, D. and R. Mask, Christian Microenterprise Development: An Introduction (Oxford: Regnum, 2003).

Chester, T. (ed.), Justice, Mercy and Humility: Integral mission and the poor (Carlisle: Paternoster, 2002).

Eade, D. (ed.), Development Methods and Approaches: Critical reflections (London: Oxfam, 2003).

Grigg, V., Cry of the Urban Poor: Reaching the Slums of Today's Megacities (Milton Keynes: Authentic Media, 2005).

Myers, B. L., Walking With the Poor: Principles and Practices of Transformational Development  (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1999).

Samuel, V. and C. Sugden, The Church in Response to Human Need (Eugene, OR: Wipf & Stock, 2003).

Sider, R. J., Good News and Good Works (Grand Rapids: Baker, 1999).

Thomas, J., From Lausanne to Manila: Evangelical Social Thought (Delhi: ISPCK, 2003).

Yamamori, T., B. Meyers and K. Luscombe (eds), Serving with the Urban Poor (Monrovia: MARC, 1998).

 

Recommended:

Grigg, V., Companion to the Poor: Christ in the Urban Slums (Milton Keynes: Authentic Media, 2004).

 

Classic:

Nicholls, B. J., In Word and Deed, Evangelism and Social Responsibility (Exeter: Paternoster, 1985).