This course offers insight on the causes and consequences of American and world population trends, particularly how they are related to urban studies and religious movement. Studies census and vital statistics, race and ethnic composition, fertility, mortality and migration and social status.
According to Cities and Urban Life, 6th Edition (Macionis and Parrillo: 2013). “It is in these areas of the world (Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia are the areas in the world that urbanization is now most rapid, with cities reaching unprecedented size.”
People moving in and people moving out goes back to Genesis. This will continue to happen, particularly if there are a number of people, some in the thousands and some in the millions. Populations will continue to move oftentimes looking for a positive life. One can join God where He is working and with the hope and freedom that can be found in Him. We have the opportunity to join Him in His mission.
Biblically Based: This course will be based on a biblical worldview. We will specifically focus on Genesis 1:28: “And God blessed them. And God said to them, ‘Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.’”
Missionally Driven: Our goal is to bring lost souls to Christ and as God can and is working in city and metropolitan areas around the world and how this allows us the opportunity to join Him in that work. It is a mission that He has provided for us.
Contextually Informed: Population growth and decline is definitely not new. Births and deaths are more or less balanced in what Henslin (2014) considers stage one in a demographic transition; rapidly growing population where births far outnumber deaths in stage two; a stable population where births drop, and births and deaths become more or less balanced in stage three, and stage 4, a shrinking population in stage 4, where deaths outnumber births.
A focus on population and society and examines the interaction between population processes and economic development, social changes and environment, and race and ethnicity.
Practically Minded: This course will give students the practical tools and insights that they need to create and make a difference in their respective communities.
Experientially-transformed: This course will not only focus on the ideas and concepts that are taught, but will also give students the opportunity to apply them and live them out in their lives. Students will take what they have learned and apply that learning to their specific environment.
