_____Religious Education______________________________
Instructor: Emilio García-Marenko
Email address: egm@andrews.ed
Telephones: Office 471-6556 • Home 471-2744
Family Life Office: Seminary Building, Room S200
Classroom: To be announced
Class dates: July 22-25, 2002 (Monday-Thursday)
Meeting times: 8:00-10:00 a.m., 10:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m., 1:30-3:15
p.m., 3:30-5:00 p.m., 6:30-7:45 p.m., 8:00-9:00 p.m.
Required Texts
Pre-Campus Assignments
On-Campus
Post-Campus
Description
Based on the requirements established by the National Council of Family
Relations, this course provides an understanding of the philosophy and principles
of family life education and to the mission and methods of family life ministries
within a leadership perspective, in conjunction with the ability to plan, implement
and evaluate family life education programs. Change strategies are discussed
in the context of the content matter required for an understanding of families
and their relationships to other institutions, such as the educational, governmental,
religious and educational institutions in society. The course meets requirements
for two modules of the Family Life Educator Certificate program: Families in
Society, and Family Life Education Methodology.
Perspective
The family is God's creation. It originated in Eden. God created human
beings in His image and likeness; "male and female He created them" (Genesis
1:26,27). In Eve's creation, He revealed His intention of giving marriage a
special meaning as a resource for companionship, intimacy and joy for human
beings (Genesis 2:18-25). According to divine plan, marriage and the family
must serve to bless and build individuals who belong to that circle and to project
blessings to others.
Sin ruined the original plan. Adam and Eve rebelled against God and immediately
the spirit of mutual accusation, suspicion, rivalry and separation was introduced
(Genesis 3:1-13). The relationship designed originally for intimacy and mutual
support, became a source of bitterness and unsatisfied yearnings. God, however,
made provisions to restore what was lost. In the person of Jesus Christ, He
sacrificed Himself for humanity and opened the possibility for reconciliation
with Him and human beings (John 3:16; Genesis 3:15).
Marriage and the family continue to be divine resources for the restoration and growth of individuals to the image of God. As part of the preparation for the face to face encounter with God in Jesus' second coming, He promises a revival of harmonious family relations and a closer likeness to the divine ideal for family life (Malachi 4:5,6). Without ignoring the realities of inevitable suffering brought from a family history wounded by the effects of ignorance and sin, it is God's desire for those who love Him to approximate that ideal, as "the greatest evidence of the power of Christianity that can be presented to the world is a well-ordered, well-disciplined family" (Testimonies for the Church, volume 4, page 304). Within the context of their own culture and in the framework of their own society, God expects His children to incorporate into their family life those immortal elements emanating from the eternal principles of His Word through which He has revealed His purposes.
While family history after sin has been loaded with pain and suffering, families continue to be objects of God's special care. The Bible reveals repeatedly God's devoted regard and loving solicitude toward widows, orphans and other victims of human tragedy. Scriptural tone justifies the conclusion that the same divine compassion and love are extended to victims of abandonment, abuse, family violence, separation, divorce, AIDS and other manifestations of human pain in today's society.
Marriage is a symbol of the relation between Christ and His Church (Ephesians 5:21-32). It is God's purpose for the Church to be a community where God's love reigns and becomes evident through multiple manifestations of concern and care among its members and toward those who do not have a knowledge of the divine plan (John 13:34,35; 15:12; 1 Peter 1:22; 3:8; 1 John 4:7-12). The Church was established by God to be a big family; as a group in which God's love blooms; an inclusion circle in which every soul feels loved; a space in which a sense of belonging and of self-respect are fostered; a therapeutic community of mutual support, learning and personal growth toward the restoration of God's image in human beings. Family ministries that promote this kind of ecclesiastical community have the potential of creating a synergistic impact that transcends the Church and blesses other groups and institutions in the larger society.
God's ideal for humanity is complete restoration. He desires His children to prepare today through obedience to Him and appropriate expression of love in the family to partake fully of His plan of total restoration in the new earth when "the loves and sympathies which God Himself has planted in the soul shall there find truest and sweetest exercise. The pure communion with holy beings, the harmonious social life with the blessed angels and with the faithful ones of all ages who have washed their robes and made them white, in the blood of the Lamb, the sacred ties that bind together 'the whole family in heaven and earth' (Ephesians 3:15)-these help to constitute the happiness of the redeemed" (The Great Controversy, page 677).
The work of family life educators who share this perspective becomes a sacred
trust and a mission of love and commitment to these lofty ideals. The biblical
basis for the study of the family will enlighten their understanding and illumine
their learning and research endeavors. With this in mind, it is the instructor's
prayer that this course will contribute to inspire and empower students to dedicate
their talents to become instruments in God's hands to bless families in ways
that will help them achieve their God-given potential to become a blessing to
society.
Learning foundations
Andrews University faculty believe that knowledge of God is the center
of all the educational endeavor. While making use of various learning methodologies,
it is our intention to underline the fact that God is the source of all knowledge
and that an understanding of His will is the beginning of wisdom. This understanding
guides both faculty and students in their learning, companionship and commitment
to global Christian service.
Andrews University students are encouraged to develop their spiritual, mental, physical and social life as part of a balanced Christian lifestyle. Activities in this course are designed with this in mind, and will be provided with the aim of facilitating the goal of achieving excellence in thinking, teaching, service and research.
This course was also designed having in mind the unique and varied needs of an international, multicultural and diverse audience. By precept and example, the instructor is committed to demonstrate respect for human diversity and the uniqueness of each person as created by God. As companions in learning, students and faculty are committed to global Christian service. It is the instructor's determination to reflect these purposes in the content, requirements and activities of this course.
Students who qualify for accommodations under the American Disabilities Act are entitled to such accommodations. If you are in this situation, please see the instructor as soon as possible for referral and assistance in making the necessary arrangements to meet your needs.
Eshleman, J. Ross. The Family. Ninth Edition. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2000.
Powell, Lane H. and Cassidy, Dawn. Family Life Education: An Introduction. Mountain View, California: Mayfield, 2001.
Vail, Ann, Editor. Taking Sides: Clashing Views on Controversial Issues in Family and Personal Relationships. Fourth Edition. Guilford, Connecticut: Dushin/McGraw-Hill, 1999.
Recommended books
Garland, Diana R. Family Ministry: A Comprehensive Guide. Downers Grove, Illinois: InterVarsity, 1999.
Gilbert, Kathleen R., Editor. Annual Editions: The Family 02/03. Twenty-Eight Edition. Guilford, Connecticut: Dushin/McGraw-Hill, 2002.
Hutter, Mark, Editor. The Family Experience: A Reader in Cultural Diversity. Third Edition. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 2000.
Sell, Charles M. Family Ministry. Second Edition. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan, 1995.
Back to topTo order your books from the Andrews University Bookstore, please call 1-800-385-2001.
Objectives
Upon completion of this course, students are expected to have met the following objectives:
Content
To help students achieve the objectives for this
course, the following content will serve as a basis for class activities and
assignments:
For Families in Society
For Family Life Education
Academic integrity
Students are expected to act honestly
in all matters related to their learning experience at Andrews University. All
assignments are expected to reflect originality and recognition of sources cited
or paraphrased. The Andrews University 2002-2003 Bulletin lists specific
examples of academic dishonesty and the types of disciplinary actions applied
when serious offenses of this nature take place. Students are encouraged to
read the section on Academic Integrity on page 24 of the Bulletin.
Important information about course requirements,
deadlines and grades
Since this course is taught as
a one-week intensive, it has been designated as a DG course, which means that
some assignments will be completed after the on-campus experience. The course
has been designed so that most reading assignments and some other assignments
should be completed as pre-campus work. On-campus work will focus on in-class
discussion, activities and group work, and library resources. Post-campus work
will also be required.
Post-campus assignments are due as soon after the intensive as you can complete them. The sooner you finish these assignments, the easier it will be, and the more motivated you will be to complete them. In any case, your assignments should be mailed to the instructor by November 15, 2002, for the grade to be recorded in the fall semester grading period. Electronic submission of assignments and its implications for text integrity and preservation of formatting features will be discussed in class. If you want you graded assignments submitted as paper documents to be returned to you, you should enclose in your assignment packet a self-addressed, stamped envelope (SASE).
Your final date to submit assignments is April 15, 2003. After November 15, 2002, however, a $25 late fee will be charged. Any assignments submitted after November 15, 2002, should not be mailed or transmitted electronically to the instructor. Instead, print them and mail them to:
Family Life Office
Seminary Hall
Andrews University
Berrien Springs, MI 49104-1500
If you do not complete all assignments by April 15, 2003, a grade will be given you based upon the work that has been turned in up to that date.
Andrews University does not send out grades by postal mail to students. You can view your grades on the Andrews University web site, by clicking on Current Students and Access Your Account. After entering your username and password, select Student Services and Financial Aid, then Student Records, and then Final Grades. Choose the appropriate term (in this case, Summer Session 2002), and click on Display Grades.
Course requirements
Students are expected to meet the following requirements:
Value: 18 points per quiz. Total: 180 points.
Value: 5 points for each of 10 issues and 10 points for each of 5 reaction papers.
Total: 100 points.
Value: 120 points.
Back to topValue: 20 points each. Total: 60 points.
Value: 80 points.
Back to topValue: 100 points.
Value: 160 points.
Value: 200 points.
Grading system summary
In summary, the final grade for this class will be based on the following elements:
T O T A L 1000 points
Letter grades will be based on the following distribution:
A = 940-1000 points
A- = 900-930 points
B+ = 870-890 points
B = 830-860 points
B- = 800-820 points
C+ = 770-790 points
C = 730-760 points
C- = 700-720 points
D = 600-690 points
F = Below 600 points