Syllabus

YM 4552: Adventure Education in Ministry with Youth

Intensive Format

Dr. Paul Hill, Ms. Sarah Larson Woodruff, instructors

 

Course Description:

            Recent research as well as historical precedent has demonstrated the vital role kinesthetic learning and activities play in spiritual development.  Challenge oriented group initiatives can create cohesive and powerful communities.  This course provides theological and theoretical frameworks for adventure education and leads students through a low elements ropes course experience.

 

Objectives:

  1. Students begin to develop competencies in leading low adventure

course activities.

  1. Students understand the kinesthetic learner and the importance of

including kinesthetic learning techniques in ministry with youth.

  1. Students begin to develop competencies in adventure group facilitation.
  2. Students explore the role of healthy challenge and competition in personal and faith development.
  3. Students survey some of the literature relating to brain development and kinesthetic learning.
  4. Students reflect personally and theologically upon biological gender differences between male and female adolescents and the implications for ministry.
  5. Students personally challenge themselves through a sequenced adventure education experience.

 

Required Reading:

            Coming of Age: Exploring the Identity and Spirituality of Younger Men, Chapter 4

                        Anderson, Hill, Martinson;

Why Gender Matters: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know About the Emerging Science of Sex Differences, Leonard Sax

 

The Adolescent Brain, Robert Sylwester

                                    OR

The Female Brain, Louann Brizendine, M.D. (pages 1-94)

            Boys Adrift:  Leonard Sax

 

Evaluation:

Student evaluations will be based upon the following criteria. The first is a 5 page paper on the bio-neurological development of males and females and the implications for ministry.  This paper should also demonstrate and reference the reading sources for the course (40%).  The second is the willingness of the student to engage in the challenges and learning related to going through the low elements ropes course experience (40%).   The third is to regularly post thoughts and reflections regarding on the course discussion forum site (20%).  Pre-class questions are posted in sequence and students are expected to post and respond to one another’s posts at least once per question.  The first discussion question will be posted on May 19.  All postings and must be completed by June 15.  

 

How, when and where does this course meet?

            Class will be held at Lake Wapogasset’s low and high elements ropes course located at their Ox Lake site outside of Amery, Wisconsin.  The class (YM 4552) runs from 8:30 a.m. May 27-12:00 noon May 29.  The second class in the sequence (YM 4554) begins immediately after lunch on May 29 and goes through 5:30 p.m. on May 31. Class day’s run from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.  In order for students to take YM 4554 they must take YM 4552 as a prerequisite.

            Students are responsible for their transportation to the camp site and lodging arrangements.  Lake Wapogasset has housing available.  Students should contact the camp directly at 715-268-5541, ext 23 (ask for Tyler McCarty).

            Students are to bring their own lunches as well.  Directions to the Ox Lake site can be found at www.campwapo.youthsite.org.

            Students should also bring a Bible to the class each day.

 

Pre-Class reading assignments: (to be read and discussed through the blog prior to class)

Coming of Age: Exploring the Identity and Spirituality of Younger Men, 

                        Anderson, Hill, Martinson;

 

Why Gender Matters: What Parents and Teachers Need to Know About the Emerging Science of Sex Differences, Leonard Sax

 

The Adolescent Brain: Reaching  For Autonomy, Robert Sylwester, Corwin Press

                                    OR

The Female Brain, Louann Brizendine, M.D. (pages 1-94)

 

Post-Class discussion forums:

            Discussion of readings and class experience

 

Further Suggested Readings:

            Why Do They Act That Way, David Walsh, Free Press

 

            A Biological Brain in a Cultural Classroom, Robert Sylwester, Corwin Press

 

            The Essential Difference: The Truth about the Male and Female Brain: Simon

            Baron-Cohen, Basic Books

 

            Why Men Hate Church: David Murrow, Nelson Press