Program Philosophy
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Interdisciplinary
Today’s urban areas bring together a rich mix of social groups and ethnicities, languages and cultures from around the globe, creating complex microcosms that shape the fabric of their communities. The full dimensions of problems that exist in these urban areas can best be understood by close investigation and analysis of the complex interplay between both the urban and suburban areas, and examined in conjunction with the various socio-economic factors that come together to influence their cultures. To function as effective catalysts of social change in this environment, leaders must have the ability to analyze problems and develop solutions from a holistic and integrative perspective.
Because of the complexity and interconnectedness of factors that impact our urban environments, the traditional, narrowly focused, single-disciplinary academic approach to leadership study falls short of educating individuals who must understand the true scope and dimensions of issues that they will face as leaders involved in urban transformation.
The M.A. Program in Urban Issues and Leadership addresses this need by providing students with a unique interdisciplinary learning environment. This Program is designed to help students grow into their roles as new interdisciplinary leaders who will be able to initiate faith-based positive transformation in our urban communities. Instead of a single- disciplinary perspective, the Program is a synthesis of many disciplines of academic study that have been selected for their emphasis on today’s pressing urban issues. This design, in combination with a focus on applied research and partnerships among community, religious, business, academic and government institutions, provides students with the holistic, interdisciplinary educational experience they require to fully understand the complexity of issues facing urban areas around the globe. The educational platform is one where students “experience” their education, instead of being “educated.” <back to top>
Partnerships
The task of urban transformation is overwhelming, and confronts leaders with the challenge of understanding how the complex interrelationships of socio-economic factors had led to, and continues to sustain, the many problems that plague today’s urban areas. To be effective, change agents must be able to analyze and interpret information through a variety of lenses and perspectives, and this can only be accomplished by following God’s calling to build relationships with others. The Master of Arts Degree in Urban Studies prepares students to develop this critical skill by integrating its underlying philosophy of relationship building throughout the entire Program in the form of partnerships of learning among students, faculty, and urban communities.
The M.A. program integrates with its philosophy the incarnational focus of physical presence within the community. The Program seeks to develop students who recognize that in order to initiate urban transformation, they must be able to develop effective relationships by becoming equal members of the urban communities they wish to serve.
Because The Master of Arts Degree in Urban Studies is situated in an urban area of Philadelphia, our nation’s fifth largest city, the Program has a distinct advantage in preparing students for their future roles as change agents. In this learning environment, students and faculty are encouraged to live and work within the urban community. This real-life, case-study approach to learning helps students understand how their physical presence in the community is crucial to their ability to form the right mix of partnerships, networks and coalitions they require to develop effective, holistic solutions to the complex urban problems they must solve. <back to top>
Praxis
Another important philosophy of the Program is the focus on integration of theory with practice. Effective leaders must have a strong foundation of academic theory, but they must also be armed with practical critical thinking and analytical skills to function as catalysts for change in urban areas. The M.A. Program provides students with this important combination by giving them an opportunity to become involved in application of theory to problem solving for real life issues. In this field-intensive, applied research learning environment, students learn how to synthesize empirical, current research with textbook theory, to develop and test new approaches to solve current urban problems. <back to top>
Scholar-Practitioner
To complete this philosophical foundation, the Program utilizes the Scholar-Practitioner model. All program instructors are carefully selected for their ability to provide instruction from both a theoretical and practical perspective. Because they have the key combination of extensive knowledge of disciplinary theories teamed with practical experience in their areas of expertise, these educators are able to provide students with a solid knowledge base aimed at application of theory to a practical, problem-solving framework. By becoming involved in discussions and interactions with their instructors, students learn about the complexity of urban problems through current, real life examples. Instructors also serve as mentors for students, and, as practitioners who are currently involved in solving urban problems, they provide guidance for students to apply their research, analytical and critical thinking skills to help initiate change in specific urban areas.
Students learn to extend this partnership by continuing to build relationships with other students, instructors, and communities to form an extensive network of Christian change agents who are dedicated to empowering urban communities to transform themselves. This network makes it possible for leaders to understand the full impact of environmental, political, and social changes on the dynamics of urban problems, so they are better equipped to adapt existing solutions to changing urban conditions. Through this process, students are better prepared to continue as effective change agents who understand that transformation of urban areas is never complete, and requires a commitment of continuous reassessment and search for unifying ideas and renewal.
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Contact Us
Urban Studies Department
Campolo College of Graduate and Professional Studies
Eastern University | Philadelphia
3300 Henry Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19129
P: 215-769-3121
F: 215-848-2651
E: urbanma@eastern.edu
