ALLIANCE THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Instructors: Stephen Bailey
MI 799 Urban Community and
Associate Professor of Intercultural Studies
Worldview Analysis
Tel# 845-353-2020 (6967)
Stephen.Bailey@nyack.ed
Chuck Davis
Assistant Prof.essor of Intercultural Studies
Andy and Janice Gardner
Missionaries in Residence
Fall 2005, Tuesdays 9am - 12:15pm
Room: TBA
COURSE DESCRIPTON
The goal of this Mission Seminar is to establish a learning community among ATS students
majoring in missions and urban ministry that is developmental, and which offers field
opportunities to practice methods of analyzing urban communities for ministry. Students spend a
significant part of the class in New York City studying a the worldview of a social group in order
to create a strategy for reaching that group with the gospel.
LEARNING GOALS
1. To be able to shape a relevant cross-cultural communication of the gospel to nonChristians in urban communities through
a. Studying methods of ethnographic research,
b. Putting these methods into practice in an urban community
c. Analyzing social and cultural data collected in New York City
d. Writing up a strategy for communicating the gospel to the community studied.
e. Presenting the strategy to the class in an oral presentation
2. To be able to evaluate information and its sources critically and incorporate selected
information into his or her knowledge base and value system.
3. To establish a supportive learning community of students for the academic year through
participation in class, the immersion week in New York City, the Life Processing Retreat
and AGSM social gatherings.
4. To grow personally in our emotional and spiritual lives by reflecting deeply on who we
are as people in the context of a safe and supportive community.
COURSE CORRELATION
MI 799 fits into the Ministry Phase of the ATS model of ministerial formation (see ATS catalog,
p.6). It is designed as a methods class with a focus on theoretical tools for urban and cultural
analysis that leads to effective contextualized communication of the gospel.
REQUIRED READING
Manning, Brennan. The Rabbi's Heartbeat. Colorado Springs: NavPress. 2003. Pp.124. ISBN: 157683-469-7.
Spradley, James Participant Observation. (Library reserve). New York: Harcourt Brace
Jovanovich College Publishers. 1980. Pp. 182. ISBN: 0-03-044501-9. (On Library
Reserve).
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James Spradley. The Ethnographic Interview. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College
Publishers. 1979. Pp. 216. ISBN:0-03-044496-9. (On Library Reserve).
Spradely, James P. and David W. McCurdy. The Cultural Experience: Ethnography in Complex
Society. Chicago, IL: Science Research Associates, Inc. 1972. Pp. 103-119, 147-156,
157-168. (On Library Reserve).
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You will also need to do between 300-500 pages of reading on the people group that your
group studies in order to write up your term paper. Other short readings for your
mentoring groups may be assigned from time to time.
CLASS REQUIREMENTS
1. Take the EQI Test (given during registration) and debrief the results with a faculty
member/s. and take other personal assessment tests as directed throughout the program.
5% of your grade
2. Attendance - 30% of your grade
a. The Fall AGSM Retreat October 7 (leave 2pm) to 9 (return by 10pm)
b. All class sessions. There are no excused absences.
c. The Urban Immersion October 22 to October 30. Cost per student $300 which
includes room, board, travel, etc. (This amount is about 45% of the actual cost.)
i. Leaving at from ATS at 9:00am on October 22
ii. Returning to ATS at Noon on Sunday, October 31 by 10pm
iii. We will be staying at New York School of Urban Ministries, 31st Ave.
and 47th Street, Queens, New York City, Tel (718) 204-6471
iv. Please notify Professor Bailey if you have needs that require special
consideration during the program time in New York City (e.g. special
diet, medications, etc.).
v. Things to Bring With You To NYSUM / Queens
1) Good walking shoes
2) Umbrella
3) Water Bottle
4) Back Pack
5) Women: Bring a head-scarf and a long length dress or skirt for use
while attending religious sites.
6) Small notepad for taking note. Small tape recorder and camera are
optional.
7) Meals will be on the street and in people’s homes. Be prepared to eat
what is in front of you and with a smile.
8) You will not need to bring money for meals, housing or transportation
because you will pay a flat fee of $300 that will be billed to your ATS
account.
3. Actively participate in a weekly ministry that is mission in orientation during this
semester. This means that it must be a ministry that regularly puts you into
communication with and in the service of non-Christians. 15% of your grade
a. After you begin your ministry hand in a short description of the ministry you will
be performing, the address and telephone contact number where the ministry will
take place and the time you will be doing the ministry.
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b. Hand in on October 1st and then again on December 13th a one to two page
reflection of your ministry experience to date. In the paper answer the following
questions.
i. What are you learning about your skills in doing mission?
ii. What do you wish you could change about the mission work you are
doing?
iii. What have you learned about communication?
4. Reading Assignments – Please report in writing to Professor Bailey the percentage of
reading that you finished – sign, date and list the author and title of the reading. Due
December 13th 10% of your grade.
5. Group Term Paper: Social Analysis and Mission Strategy Paper (See Term Paper
Guidelines below) – Due December 13th. 30% of your grade.
6. Oral Presentation of Term Paper: Social Analysis and Mission Strategy Paper–
December 13th 10% of your grade
EVALUATION
Testing: EQI and Other
Attendance
Weekly Ministry
Reading Reports
Term Paper
Oral Presentation
5%
30%
15%
10%
30%
10%
GRADING SCALE
Grades are assigned based on your competency in performing the assignments referred to in this
syllabus.
A (4.0) 93-100
A- (3.7) 90-92
B+ (3.3) 88-89
B (3.0) 83-87
B- (2.7) 80-82
C+ (2.3) 78-79
C (2.0) 73-77
C- (1.7) 70-72
D+ (1.3) 68-69
D (1.0) 63-67
D- (0.7) 60-62
F (0.0) Below 60
LATE WORK
All written work is due by the beginning of class on the date assigned. Work will be accepted up
to one week late, but grades are lowered 3 points for each day an assignment is late. See the ATS
policy on extensions (ATS Catalog p.46). Incompletes will not be given except in the case of
serious illness or emergency.
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MI 799 CLASS SCHEDULE
September 6
1. Introductions
a. Syllabus, Class Objectives and Plan – Steve Bailey
b. Qualitative Social Research / Ethnography – Steve Bailey
c. Peer Clusters Explained – Chuck Davis
September 13
2. Ethnography and Participant Observation for Mission
a. Reading Due – Spradley Participant Observation Chaps. 1-11; Spradley and
McCurdy (3 ethnographies) Pp. 103-119 and 147-168.
b. Interviewing Video
c. Peer Clusters Meet
September 20
3. Participant Observation Exercise
a. Reading Due – Spradley The Ethnographic Interview Chaps 1-5
b. Practice Interview 1
c. Peer Clusters Meet
September 27
4. Interviewing & Collecting Data in the City
a. Reading Due - Spradley The Ethnographic Interview Chaps 6-11
b. Practice Interview 2
c. Peer Clusters Meet
October 4
5. Analyzing Data and Writing Ethnographies for Mission Strategy
a. Reading Due – Spradley Participant Observation Chap. 12.; Background reading
on the cultural group you will study in New York City.
b. Analyzing Data from our interviews
c. Peer Clusters Meet
October 7-9 AGSM Retreat
October 11 No Class
October 22-30 / Urban Immersion in New York City
November 15 9am One Hour Class to Report on Project Progress
December 6 9am One Hour Class to Report on Project Progress
December 13 9am Oral Presentations of Group Projects
December 16 - AGSM End of Semester Potluck Dinner / Professor Davis’ House, South Blvd.
In South Nyack near the College.
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Term Paper Guidelines
(Use Spradley 1980 as a guide)
Purpose: To use some of the methodological tools of social science in order to analyze a people group in
New York City and design a strategy for communicating / relating the gospel to that people group.
Steps in the Research and Writing Process
1. Data collection
a. Note taking is a crucial skill.
b. Write down what people actually say as much as possible, don’t try to interpret it
c. Write down what people do, (included their body language)
d. Create a map of the physical environment
e. Note the name of the person, who they are related to (create a kinship chart), the
location of the observation /interview, date & time.
f. Collect macro Demographic statistics on the people group – how many of them
are in NYC? How many are employed? How many speak English? How many
are first generation? Etc.
g. Methods for data collection
i. Observation
ii. Interviews with people who live and / or work in the community
iii. Data from government agencies
iv. Participation in community life
v. Outside background reading on the community and the cultures
represented in the community (as your professor for guidance)
vi. Online research of public statistics
2. Data Organization
a. As soon as you have a chance organize your data by subject-theme-category.
b. This can be done with index cards or a database program. MS Excel works fine.
i. Choose your category names carefully
1. Use emic names and categories when you can
2. Remember some emic categories may not have a name
ii. Don’t use too many categories
c. Three macro categories to look for
i. What does this data tell you about the level of grid in the group?
ii. What does this data tell you about the level of group?
iii. What are the crucial historical / emotional themes that continue to pop up
in their stories?
3. Data Analysis / Interpretation
a. Establish your approach to the interpretation of the data with one of the following
i. A thesis – Example: Thai people in Queens, New York City can best be
reached for Jesus Christ through a method of communication that is
formal and pays attention to group obligations.
ii. A problem / question statement – What is the best approach to reaching
Thai people in Queens with the gospel?
b. Analyze in stages not all at once. You will find out that you need more data to
answer some of the questions that come up when you begin to consider the data.
c. Make sure you have enough data to allow you to understand the basics of each
category you use. If you don’t understand it then don’t use it in the write up.
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d. Consider the relationship between categories. Consider using a table (taxonomy)
to help organize categories.
e. If you have a lot of information on one category then focus on that one. Allow it
to be the door into your interpretation of the community. Relate this category to
what you know about other categories.
f. Check your analysis with an insider.
i. They don’t have to agree with everything but allow them to verify data
and comment on your analysis.
ii. Do they recognize themselves in your analysis? If not you need to reconsider your data and / or your analysis
g. Be sure to analyze the level of grid and group in the community you study and to
allow this to shape your strategy for communicating the gospel among them.
4. Writing Up Your Interpretation
a. Briefly introduce the community you studied – what is their story?
b. Clearly and concisely state the purpose of the paper (to solve a problem, answer a
question, argue a thesis, etc.)
c. Briefly describe how (method) you collected your data
d. Identify your biases – your family background, your life experiences, limitations
on your time in the community or access to important data
e. Present your interpretation of the data – Your Findings
i. Be clear
ii. Tie your arguments to data
1. 1st hand observation
2. Interviews / stories you heard
3. Public statistics
4. Background Readings
f. Consider how the gospel will need to interact with the Worldview Themes
you find – These are key values that you see popping up time and again that
appear to be keys in communicating well with these people.
g. Consider how you will communicate / relate with these people given their
grid and group levels.
h. Summarize your conclusions – Bottom line is to answer the question, “What
would your strategy be to communicate the gospel of Jesus Christ to these
people?”
i. Appendices – Your data that is relevant to your argument but that did show up in
the paper should go in an Appendix. Do not focus on your data in the body of
the paper except to support your thesis or argument. You may also place photos
in the Appendices.
j. Bibliography – cite only the books or sources that you reference in the paper.
k. Use the Turabian / University of Chicago format (available in the library). The
paper should be at least 60 pages in length and not longer than 80 pages.
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Oral Presentations
1. Include everyone in your group
2. Use audio-visual aids
3. Be to the point, don’t bore us – according to the Council of Rome in AD 350 it is a
mortal sin to be boring.
4. Illustrate your main argument with excerpts from interviews, observations, experiences.
5. Use good public speaking skills – pay attention to your grammar, use eye contact, use the
right amount of volume, don’t be boring – it’s a mortal sin!
6. You have 30 minutes to get it communicated.
7. There will be 10 minutes of questions and answers
8. Food is nice.
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Ministry Involvement Suggestions
1. Salvation Army – GAINS (Greater Academic Incentives for Nurturing Success) A
Youth Program that provides tutoring in homework, games, bible stories, etc. every
afternoon during the school year from 2:30pm to 6:00pm. Located at 115 Wildly Street,
Tarrytown, NY. Go across the Tapanzee bridge, take 1st exit on to Broadway and go to
Wildly. Turn toward the Hudson river. Salvation Army Tel # 914-631-3871.
2.
All Rockland Kids / ARK Missions – Need for 2 men, 2 women to serve 10 hours a
week – Friday Visitation 3:30pm to 6pm and Saturday Clubs 8am to 1pm. Tel. #845267-5369 or E-mail – ark@saintmail.net. Talk to Sharon Ellison.
3.
French Speaking West African Church: The pastor is a former AGSM student, Roger
Ntoto. His telephones number are #973-249-7831 and #862-686-2325.
4. Bethel Gospel Assembly Church – 2-25 East 120th Street, New York, NY 10035. Elder
Mimsie Robinson (or Rev. Joyce Eady (212 860 1625). Take the Greenline 4,5 or 6
trains to 125th Street and Lexington Ave. Walk west about four blocks. www.bethelga.or
5. The Primitive Church – Rev. Marc Rivera 207-209 East Broadway, NY, NY 10002.
Tel. 212 673 7868. Take the Brown line F train to the East Broadway station.
www.primitivechurch.org
6. Free Methodist Church – Rev. Curtis Fleming 122 16th Street, between 4th –5th Ave,
Brooklyn. Cell #718 290 0559. Subway take the Brown or Yellow Line to Prospect Ave.
7. Arab Friendship Center in Brooklyn, Contact: Nomie Derani, nomie@worldmail.com
Tel# 718-621-2215 and 718-492-6641. [Brian Davis AGSM student will be doing stuff
with this center as well]
8. Albanian ESL Program in Garfield, NJ – ask Professor Davis about details.
9. Thai Community Mahaphawn Alliance Church – ESL program to Thai immigrants at
71-17 Roosevelt Ave. Jackson Heights, Queens, NYC. 718-779-4079.
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SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
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
Qualitative Social Research Methods Series. John Van Maanen Series Editor. 47
Volumes
Applied Social Research Methods Series. Leonar Bickman and Debra J. Rog Series
Editors. 35 Volumes.
Bernard, H. Russell
1995
Research Methods in Anthropology: Qualitative and Quantitative
Approaches. (2nd Edition). New York: Altamira Press.
Bogdan, Robert C. and Sari Knopp Biklen
1992
Qualitative Research for Education: An Introduction to Theory and
Methods. Boston: Allyn and Bacon.
Coulon, Alain
1995
Ethnomethodology. Qualitative Social Research Methods Series. Vol.
36. London: SAGE Publications.
Denzin, Norman K. and Yvonna S. Lincoln eds.
1998
Strategies of Qualitative Inquiry. London: Sage Publications. Chapters
1, 2, 5, 6 and 7 Total of Pp.123.
Fetterman, David M.
1989
Ethnography Step by Step. Applied Social Research Methods Series.
Vol.17. Newbury, CA: SAGE Publications.
Hunt, Jennifer C.
1989
Psychoanalytic Aspects of Fieldwork. Qualitative Social Research
Methods Series. Vol. 18. London: SAGE Publications.
Jorgensen, Danny L.
1989
Participant Observation: A Methodology for Human Studies. Qualitative
Social Research Methods Series. Vol. 15. London: SAGE Publications.
McKinney, Carol V.
1993
Globe Trotting in Sandals: Culture Research Field Methods Guide.
Chapter 2. “Ethics in Cultural Research.” Pp. 8.
Morgan, David L.
1997
Focus Groups As Qualitative Research. Qualitative Social Research
Methods Series. Vol. 16. London: SAGE Publications.
Spradley, James
1980
Participant Observation. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich College
Publishers. Pp.182.
Spradley, James
1979
The Ethnographic Interview. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich
College Publishers. Pp. 216.
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