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YOU 4400
Practical Skill Development in Youth Ministry
This course is designed to offer you ministry skills experience within the discipline, providing opportunity for the upperclassman to gain
competency and confidence within related vocations. Experiential learning requirements are defined by your program and assessed by
the program faculty. A minimum of 50 clock hours of direct experience is required for a unit of credit, and advisor approval is required. (1)
Repeatable
YOU 4440
Org/Administration – Adventure Education
You will study principles and theories of organization and administration used in adventure education leadership. Special attention will
be given to such administrative procedures as personnel and faculty management, developing and maintaining a budget, public relations,
conflict management, risk management, and complete applications of record keeping. (3)
YOU 4535
Programming for Youth Ministry
This course will prepare you for the daily “nuts and bolts” ministry to junior high, senior high, and college students. You will examine the
organization of your ministry, your personal life and schedule, how to build a team ministry, and how to organize and lead retreats and
camp experiences. (3)
YOU 4600
Applied Adventure Education
In this course you will explore principles and experience the biblical foundations, contemporary expressions, and soft skills of effective
leadership. You will focus on training in character development, problem-solving, group relational navigation, conflict/emergency
management, non-verbal assessments, and coping with weaknesses, failure, and limitations. (3)
Prerequisite: YOU 4440
YOU 4630
Wilderness Leadership Training
The Wilderness Leadership Course is an expedition in learning and application involving a 40-day and 40-night wilderness experiential
learning trip. You will travel on foot a total of 160 miles, participating in rock climbing, backpacking and mountaineering, as well as
develop a greater relationship with Jesus Christ, leadership ability, and leadership outdoor skills to accompany the experiential
curriculum. The classroom is the backcountry of Wyoming, including Vedauwoo rock formations, the Snowy Range, and the Wind River
Wilderness.
This course is offered in cooperation with the Solid Rock Outdoor Ministries (SROM) which is accredited by the Association for
Experiential Education.
(6)
YOU 4650
Applied Camp and Retreat Management
In this course you will examine the realities of camp and retreat management by serving at a local Christian camp. You will also assist in
behind-the-scenes preparations for summer camp and in preparing for and hosting retreats. (3)
Offered in cooperation with a local
Christian camp; Prerequisite: YOU 3450
YOU 4720
Ministering to College Students/Emerging Adults
You will explore God's presence in the young adult journey, focusing on the theological and developmental dynamics inherent in young
adults. You will study practices that are effective in engaging young adults and will work them into effective strategies for ministry. (3)
YOU 4800
Cross-Cultural Youth Ministry
This is a survey of youth ministry approaches in different cultures worldwide. You will explore the cross-cultural ministry principles most
essential to youth ministry, and will also develop a culture-specific youth ministry vision, strategy, and program. (3)
YOU 4930
Youth Ministry Internship
This internship provides you with a supervised, preliminary training experience in a local church or para-church setting. You will receive
hands-on experience as a way of discovering or honing your ministry skills and encountering the reality of vocational work away from a
university setting. This requirement is normally met during the summer, but can be completed during the fall or spring semester if you
are not registered as a full-time student. (3)
Prerequisites: Completion of 90 semester hours of academic credit (usually completed following
junior year)
.
YOU 4940
Wilderness Leadership Internship
You will study all aspects of leading an extended wilderness program over a summer-long internship in Wyoming. You will take a
ministerial role in serving the students and other instructors for the remaining part of the summer under the watchful eyes of wilderness
professionals. In order to participate in the internship, you must first complete the 40/40 expedition. (3)
Offered in cooperation with Solid
Rock Outdoor Mi istries [SROM], which is accredited by the As ociation for Experiential Education.
YOU 5025
New Paradigms for Youth, Family, and Culture
In this course you will explore the ways in which different paradigms of ministry affect youth, families, and culture. What does it mean to
be family-based in youth ministry? What is the role of the family in the church? How does Christianity affect culture? What is the role of
the church today and in the future? How does culture play a part in the shaping process? What will youth ministry look like in the future?
What implications for the future arise from the phenomenon of the “emerging church?” (3)
YOU 5030
Advanc d Youth Communication
This course is designed for individuals who intend to focus on vocational communication (pastor, youth leader, itinerant speaker,
evangelist, and teacher). You will explore the crucial elements of effective communication, including how to understand learning and
teaching styles, and how to connect with a variety of audiences and sizes. You will explore keys for personal and spiritual preparation,
places to find illustrations, ways to connect God’s Word with students, uses of humor, and the place of timing and speed in communication.
You will grow in your understanding of hindrances to effective communication, techniques for body language, and the ways the Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit work in the process of transforming people. (3)
Prerequisite: YOU 3130
260 │Columbia International University
Course Descriptions