CHRISTIANITY AND DEVELOPMENT: AFRICA AND GLOBAL PERSPECTIVES

About Course

This course analysis the complex relationships between Christianity and development, with a focus on global and African perspectives. Students will examine the historical and contemporary roles of Christianity in shaping development policies, practices, and outcomes. The course will analyze the contributions and challenges of Christian engagement in development, including the roles of Christian organizations, churches, and individuals. Students will also evaluate the intersections of faith, culture, and development in African contexts and develop practical skills for effective engagement in development efforts from a Christian perspective. Key topics include biblical teachings on poverty, justice, and compassion, Christian leadership and development, African perspectives on Christianity and development, culture, faith, and development in Africa, community development and social justice, disaster response and relief, among others. Upon completing this course, students will possess a nuanced understanding of the intersections between Christianity and development, empowering them to effectively engage in development initiatives informed by Christian values and principles.

Course Objectives:

- To understand the historical and contemporary relationships between Christianity and development.
- To analyze the roles of Christian organizations, churches, and individuals in development efforts.
- To examine the contributions and challenges of Christian engagement in development, particularly in Africa.
- To evaluate the intersections of faith, culture, and development in African contexts.
- To develop practical skills for effective engagement in development efforts from a Christian perspective.

Demonstrate an understanding of the complex relationships between Christianity and development.
Analyze the roles of Christian organizations, churches, and individuals in development efforts.
Evaluate the contributions and challenges of Christian engagement in development, particularly in Africa.
Apply practical skills for effective engagement in development work from a Christian perspective.
Reflect critically on the intersections of faith, culture, and development in African contexts.
Develop a personal framework for integrating Christian faith and development practices.
Demonstrate effective communication and collaboration skills in development contexts.
Apply biblical principles and values to development practices.
Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different development approaches and models.
Develop a nuanced understanding of the complexities of development in African contexts.

Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Christianity and Development

Topic: Overview of Christianity and Development
Objectives: Understand the historical and contemporary relationships between Christianity and development.
Learning Outcome: Define Christianity and development, explain the historical context of Christian engagement in development.
Biblical Text: Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 4:18-19
Books Reading: Belshaw, D., Calderisi, R., & Sugden, C. (Eds.). (2017). Christianity and development: Global and African perspectives. Oxford University Press. (Chapter 1)
Assignments: Write a reflective essay on the historical context of Christian engagement in development. Create a concept map illustrating the relationships between Christianity and development.

Module 2: Biblical Foundations of Development

Module 3: Historical Perspectives on Christian Development

Module 4: Christian Organizations and Development

Module 5: Churches and Development

Module 6: Christian Leadership and Development

Module 7: African Perspectives on Christianity and Development

Module 8: Culture, Faith, and Development in Africa

Module 9: Christian Engagement in Development: Challenges and Critiques

Module 10: Best Practices for Christian Development

Module 11: Sustainable Development and Christian Values

Module 12: Community Development and Social Justice

Module 13: Disaster Response and Relief

Module 14: Advocacy and Policy Engagement

Module 15: Partnerships and Collaborations

Module 16: Conclusion and Future Directions

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Course Content

Module 1: Introduction to Christianity and Development

Topic: Overview of Christianity and Development

Objectives: Understand the historical and contemporary relationships between Christianity and development.

Learning Outcome: Define Christianity and development, explain the historical context of Christian engagement in development.

Biblical Text: Matthew 28:18-20, Luke 4:18-19

Books Reading: Belshaw, D., Calderisi, R., & Sugden, C. (Eds.). (2017). Christianity and development: Global and African perspectives. Oxford University Press. (Chapter 1)

Assignments: Write a reflective essay on the historical context of Christian engagement in development. Create a concept map illustrating the relationships between Christianity and development.

Module 2: Biblical Foundations of Development

Topic: Biblical Teachings on Poverty, Justice, and Compassion

Objective: Analyze the roles of Christian organizations, churches, and individuals in development efforts.

Learning Outcome: Explain biblical teachings on poverty, justice, and compassion, analyze their implications for development practices.

Biblical Text: Matthew 25:31-46, Luke 10:25-37

Books Reading: Chewning, R. C. (2017). The Bible and development. William Carey Library. (Chapter 2)

Assignments: Write a case study on a biblical development model. Create a group discussion guide on biblical teachings on poverty, justice, and compassion.

Module 3: Historical Perspectives on Christian Development

Topic: Early Christian Engagement in Development

Objective: Examine the historical and contemporary roles of Christianity in shaping development policies, practices, and outcomes.

Learning Outcome: Explain the early Christian engagements in development, analyze its implications for contemporary development practices.

Biblical Text: Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-37

Books Reading: Belshaw, D., Calderisi, R., & Sugden, C. (Eds.). (2017). Christianity and development: Global and African perspectives. Oxford University Press. (Chapter 3)

Assignments: Write a reflective essay on the historical context of Christian development. Create a timeline illustrating the historical development of Christian engagement in development.

Module 4: Christian Organizations and Development

Topic: Overview of Christian Organizations Engaged in Development

Objective: Analyze the roles of Christian organizations, churches, and individuals in development efforts.

Learning Outcome: Explain the roles of Christian organizations in development, analyze their strengths and weaknesses.

Biblical Text: 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, Matthew 25:31-46

Books Reading: Corbett, S., & Fikkert, B. (2012). When helping hurts: How to alleviate poverty without hurting the poor…and yourself. Moody Publishers. (Chapter 4)

Assignments: Write a case study on a Christian organization engaged in development. Create a group discussion guide on the roles of Christian organizations in development.

Module 5: Churches and Development

Topic: Roles of Churches in Development

Objective: Examine the contributions and challenges of Christian engagement in development, particularly in Africa.

Learning Outcome: Explain the roles of churches in development, analyze their strengths and weaknesses.

Biblical Text: Matthew 28:18-20, Acts 2:42-47

Books Reading: Belshaw, D., Calderisi, R., & Sugden, C. (Eds.). (2017). Christianity and development: Global and African perspectives. Oxford University Press. (Chapter 5)

Assignment: Write a reflective essay on the roles of churches in development. Create a concept map illustrating the relationships between churches and development.

Module 6: Christian Leadership and Development

Topic: Leadership Principles for Christian Development

Objective: Develop practical skills for effective engagement in development work from a Christian perspective.

Learning Outcomes: Explain leadership principles for Christian development, analyze their implications for development practices.

Biblical Text: Matthew 20:26-28, 1 Corinthians 12:4-6

Books Reading: Greer, P., & Smith, P. (2009). The poor will be glad: Joining the revolution to end poverty. Zondervan. (Chapter 6)

Assignment: Write a case study on a Christian leader in development. Create a group discussion guide on leadership principles for Christian development.

Module 7: African Perspectives on Christianity and Development

Topic: Overview of African Christianity and Development

Objective: Examine the contributions and challenges of Christian engagement in development, particularly in Africa.

Learning Outcomes: Explain African perspectives on Christianity and development, analyze their implications for development practices.

Biblical Text: Acts 8:26-40, Matthew 28:18-20

Books Reading: Belshaw, D., Calderisi, R., & Sugden, C. (Eds.). (2017). Christianity and development: Global and African perspectives. Oxford University Press. (Chapter 7)

Assignment: Write a reflective essay on African perspectives on Christianity and development. Create a concept map illustrating the relationships between African Christianity and development.

Module 8: Culture, Faith, and Development in Africa

Topic: Intersections of Culture, Faith, and Development in Africa

Objective: Evaluate the intersections of faith, culture, and development in African contexts.

Learning Outcomes: Explain the intersections of culture, faith, and development in Africa, analyze their implications for development practices.

Biblical Text: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, Galatians 3:26-28

Book Reading: Chewning, R. C. (2017). The Bible and development. William Carey Library. (Chapter 8)

Assignment: Write a case study on a culturally sensitive Christian development initiative in Africa. Create a group discussion guide on the intersections of culture, faith, and development in Africa.

Module 9: Christian Engagement in Development: Challenges and Critiques

Topic: Challenges Facing Christian Engagement in Community Development

Objective: Examine the challenges and critiques of Christian engagement in development.

Learning Outcomes: Explain the challenges facing Christian engagement in development, analyze their implications for development practices.

Biblical Text: Matthew 25:31-46, Luke 10:25-37

Book Reading: Corbett, S., & Fikkert, B. (2012). When helping hurts: How to alleviate poverty without hurting the poor…and yourself. Moody Publishers. (Chapter 9)

Assignment: Write a reflective essay on the challenges facing Christian engagement in rural community development. Create a concept map illustrating the challenges facing Christian engagement in community development.

Module 10: Best Practices for Christian Development

Topic: Principles for Effective Christian Development

Objective: Develop practical skills for effective engagement in development work from a Christian perspective.

Learning Outcomes: Explain the principles for effective Christian development, analyze their implications for development practices.

Biblical Text: Matthew 22:37-40, Colossians 3:17

Books Reading: Greer, P., & Smith, P. (2009). The poor will be glad: Joining the revolution to end poverty. Zondervan. (Chapter 10)

Assignment: Write a case study on a best practice in Christian development. Create a group discussion guide on principles for effective Christian development.

Module 11: Sustainable Development and Christian Values

Topic: Overview of Sustainable Development and Christian Values

Objective: Examine the intersections of faith, culture, and development in African contexts.

Learning Outcomes: Explain the relationships between sustainable development and Christian values, analyze their implications for development practices.

Biblical Text: Genesis 1:26-31, Psalm 24:1

Book Reading: Belshaw, D., Calderisi, R., & Sugden, C. (Eds.). (2017). Christianity and development: Global and African perspectives. Oxford University Press. (Chapter 11)

Assignment: Write a reflective essay on the relationships between sustainable development and Christian values. Create a concept map illustrating the relationships between sustainable development and Christian values.