TUL570 Field Supervision I

Aaron Smith
Servant Partners New Staff Training Director
23 Durian St. Project 2, Quezon City, 1102
aaronema@yahoo.com  
           0915-628-9670
I.  Course Description:
Supervised training within slum churches and improvement agencies supported by regular field seminars and guided retreats emphasizing spiritual development. Students blend first-hand experience and practical skill development under the supervision of designated mentors (site supervisor, field instructor, and spiritual director) with expertise in community development, faith-learning integration, and pastoral care. 

II.  Expanded Course Description:
Living and learning within poor communities is not only emotionally, spiritually and physically demanding, it also tends to complicate any naive notions about why people are impoverished and dispossessed. For this reason, those who would live, learn and serve among the urban poor require an optimal level of social and intellectual support.  The two Field Supervision courses are designed to provide an ongoing structure of pastoral care and field supervision combined with structured reflection upon urban poor realities. Students and faculty, together, form a multinational learning and serving community where they can explore how the “context” of urban poor life relates to the “text” of Jesus’ teaching on the kingdom of God and the “pretext” of the church’s missional response. The Field Supervision structure has four main components:
1.  Home Stay 
2.  Field Seminars 
3.  Supervised Field Experiences
4.  Individual Supervision

III. Course Objectives/Outcomes:
Knowledge (“head”)
1.	Articulate a process of community intervention consistent with Christian social values and ethics
2.	Demonstrate a keen awareness of one’s strengths and weaknesses in the roles of student and field worker 
3.	Describe and evaluate field agencies in terms of their history, purposes, goals, administrative structure, relationships, and methods of service delivery
4.	Integrate and apply information and insights acquired through the field seminar to actual community service situations
5.	Use theoretical frameworks to explain the bio-psycho-social, cultural, and spiritual factors that either promote or inhibit development among individuals, organizations and communities
Affective (“heart”)
1.	Show progress towards spiritual maturity in terms of moral integrity, emotional stability, and social and missional concern in various service contexts
2.	Demonstrate a professional and faith-based commitment to social and economic justice, and work for the prevention and alleviation of community problems and human suffering
Skills (“hands”)
1.	Demonstrate the ability to form professional relationships that are built on respect and regard for individual worth and human dignity
2.	Support and uphold professional and ethical standards and values in the areas of time management, boundaries, work schedule, and confidentiality 
3.	Demonstrate successful use of basic research and critical thinking techniques (e.g. organizational analysis, theological reflection, process journaling, and action plan development) within agencies and communities
4.	Demonstrate effective relational-communicational skills with diverse populations that are appropriate to their cultural, class, ethno-religious, and gender backgrounds
5.	Demonstrate the ability to interact with community members in a manner that enhances their independence, self-determination, and dignity
6.	Demonstrate the ability to use supervision and consultation in ways that reflect personal awareness and personal responsibility for learning
7.	Demonstrate the ability to assess one’s internship performance and the effectiveness of field agencies

IV. Course Materials 
Required: 
Blue, Kevin. (2006) Practical Justice. Downers Grove:  InterVarsity Press.
Bush, Luis and Lorry Lutz. (1990) Partnering in Ministry: The Direction of World Evangelism.
	Downers Grove:  InterVarsity Press.
Claerbaut, David. (2005). Urban Ministry In a New Millennium. Waynesboro, GA: 
Authentic Media.
Foster, Richard J. (1998). Celebration of discipline: the path to spiritual growth (25th 
anniversary ed.). San Francisco:  Harper.
Linthicum, Robert. (2005). Building a People of Power. Waynesboro, GA: Authentic
 	Media.  
Recommended:
Bosch, David. (2000) A Spirituality of the Road.  Eugene, OR:  Wipf and Stock Publishers.
Claiborne, Shane. (2006) The Irresistible Revolution. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervon.
Craig, Jenni M. (1998) Servants Among the Poor. Manila:  OMF Literature Inc.
Gutierrez, Gustavo (2003). We drink from our own wells: the spiritual journey of a people. Orbis:  Maryknoll.
Kraybill, Donald B. (1978) The Upside-Down Kingdom. Scottsdale, PA:  Herald Press.
Piper, John. (2006) What Jesus Demands form the World. Wheaton, IL:  Crossway Books.
Van Engen, Charles and Jude Tiersma. (1994).  Editors. God so Loves the City: Seeking A Theology for Urban Mission. Monrovia, CA:  MARC. 

V.  Course Calendar
Field Seminars:  There are a total of eight (8) Field Seminars that are designed to provide theoretical and practical preparation for the practitioner student. Each seminar is 3 hours long, during which students will discuss that share experiences, discuss ideas and insights from the assigned readings, discuss different field seminar topics and pray.  At any time during the semester, students may request an individual conference with the Field Supervisor.  The schedule of the field seminars will be given during the first class.

VI.  Learning & Assessment Activities
1.	Learning Agreement:  Students and Field Supervisor will write a contract describing the student’s role
2.	Fieldwork Time Log:  Students are required to complete a minimum of 60 hours of “invested learning” on-site.  These hours may encompass a variety of activities, from interacting with community members and completing project work to participating in supervisory meetings.  Each day students record the hours spent in such activities on a Fieldwork Time Log. 
3.	Home Stay: Students will spend one day in a squatter community with an urban poor family.  Students will need to complete a 2-page single spaced reflection on the experience and present their experience in class.  Students that need special arrangements should contact the Field Supervisor.  The Student will need to provide the family with 150 Pesos (75 Pesos per meal).  The field supervisor will arrange this with the student.   
4.	The Gospel of Luke and the Urban Poor:  A workbook devotional from the Gospel of Luke.
5.	Ministry Presentations:  Students will present a presentation describing their ministry.
6.	Ministry Involvement “Student Evaluation Form”: This form is to be filled out by the on site ministry Supervisor and either mailed or emailed to the Field Supervisor.  
7.	Final Paper:    

VII.  Expectations & Grading
Course Requirements
1.	Fieldwork Time Log 60 hours of “invested learning” 30%
2.	Home Stay Reflection Paper and Presentation 20%
3.	The Gospel of Luke and the Urban Poor 15%
4.	Ministry Presentation 5%
5.	Ministry Involvement “Student Evaluation Form” 10%
6.	Final Paper 20%

Portfolio Based on Past Experience:  If students have 3 years of FULL time urban poor ministry experience they can substitute a Portfolio based on past experience to replace the Home Stay & Fieldwork Time Log. 

VIII.  Course Policies
Workload Expectations
Students need 150 hours of “invested learning” activity for this course.  This includes 60 hours of on-site “invested learning” activities, attending supervisor meetings and field seminars, and completing the Home Stay Reflection Paper, The Gospel of Luke and the Urban Poor, class readings, and the Final Paper.

Late Assignments:  All course assignments are due on the specified date. Each late assignment will carry a 5%-penalty per day for that assignment and will only be accepted up to one week after they are due. This strictness regarding the submission of completed assignments is to guard students from procrastination and falling behind in their academic and field assignments.  

Academic Integrity:  Students assume the responsibility for maintaining honesty in all work submitted for credit and in any other work designated by the instructor of the course.

Computers are only to be used for taking class notes. The improper use of computers during class will lower the student’s grade for the course. 

IX.  Course Bibliography 
Bessenecker, Scott. (2006) The New Friars: The Emerging Movement Serving the World’s Poor. Press Downers Grove, IL:  InterVarsity. 
Bidwell, Duane R. (2004). Short-term spiritual guidance. Augsburg Fortress Publishers.
Boyd, Gregory A. (2001). Satan and the problem of evil: constructing a Trinitarian warfare theodicy.  Downers Grove:  InterVarsity Press.
Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection. (1977). The practice of the presence of God. Garden City: Image.
Dillard, Annie. (2007). Pilgrim at Tinker Creek. Harper Perennial.
Guenther, Margaret. (1992). Holy listening: the art of spiritual direction. Cowley Publications 
Hollyday, Joyce. (1997). Then shall your light rise: spiritual formation & social witness. Upper Room Books.
Holmes, Urban T. (2002). Spirituality for ministry. Morehouse Publishing.
Job, Rueben P., & Shawchuck, Norman. (1991). A guide to prayer for ministers and other servants. Upper Room Books.
Kelly, Thomas R. (1996). A testament of devotion. San Francisco:  Harper.
Kidd, Sue Monk. (2006). When the heart waits: spiritual direction for life’s sacred questions. San Francisco:  Harper. 
Linn, Dennis, Linn, Sheila, & Linn, Matthew. (1995). Sleeping with bread: holding what gives you life. Paulist Press.
McNeal, Reggie. (2000). A Work of heart: understanding how God shapes spiritual leaders. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
Merton, Thomas. (1972). New seeds of contemplation. New York: New Directions.
Merton, Thomas. (2005). No man is an Island. Shambhala Publications.
Merton, Thomas. (2002). The sign of Jonas. Harvest Books.
Mulholland, M. Robert, Jr. (2001). Shaped by the word: the power of scripture in spiritual formation. Upper Room Books.
Mulholland, M. Robert, Jr. (1993). Invitation to a Journey: A Road Map for Spiritual Formation. Downers Grove:  InterVarsity Press.
Nouwen, Henri. (2002). A cry for mercy: prayers from the Genesee. Garden City, New York: Image Books.
Nouwen. Henri. (1993). Gracias! A Latin American journal. Maryhill:  Orbis. 
Nouwen, Henri. (1993). In the name of Jesus: reflections on Christian leadership. Crossroad/Faith & Formation. 
Nouwen, Henri (1976). The Genesee diary: report from a Trappist monastery. Doubleday.
Nouwen, Henri (1999). The inner voice of love. Garden City, New York: Image Books.
Nouwen, Henri. (1984). The living reminder: service and prayer in memory of Jesus Christ. San Francisco:  Harper.
Nouwen, Henri, McNeil, Donald P., & Morrison, Douglas A. (2005). Compassion: a reflection on the Christian life. Image Publishing.
O’Connor, Elizabeth. (1975). Journey inward journey outward. Harper Collins Publishing.
Palmer, Parker. (1990). The active life: a spirituality of work, creativity, and caring. San Francisco:  Jossey-Bass.
St. Ignatius of Loyola. (1999). Spiritual exercises. Tan Books & Publishers.
Stairs, Jean. (2000). Listening for the soul: pastoral care and spiritual direction, Augsburg Fortress Publishers.
Vest, Novene. (1997). Gathered in the word: praying the scripture in small groups. Upper Room Books.
Wolpert, Daniel. (2003). Creating a life with God: the call of ancient prayer practices. Upper Room Books.