Spring 2019/Fuller Online

MB524

Ramirez-Johnson

MB524: CHRISTIAN ANTHROPOLOGY FROM THE MARGINS (4 Units: 160 hours). Johnny Ramirez-Johnson.

DESCRIPTION: Developing an epistemology of diversity and cultural contextualization via truth seeking by reading selected biblical passages from the margins. Challenging the limits of discrete anthropological and theological epistemologies by gesturing toward a transdisciplinary understanding of an emerging practical theology for the purpose of contextualizing Christian theological thinking. Enabling students’ cultural, racial and ethnic exploration for self-awareness and facilitating engagement with diverse communities.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will have demonstrated: (1) the ability to use anthropological tools for building an epistemology that accounts for diversity following Christian theological views; (2) an understanding of a theology of diversity in the service of mission focus thinking; and (3) engagement with diverse approaches to epistemology building for research purposes.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning. Non-Required but recommended synchronic class meetings will be available throughout the quarter (links for meetings will be provided via Canvas weekly modules).

REQUIRED READING: 1,000 total number of pages required.

Barrett, Stanley R. Anthropology: A Student's Guide to Theory and Method. 2nd. Edition, University of Toronto Press, 2009. ISBN: 978-0802096128, Pub. Price $34.95. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library. Also available as e-book from Amazon Kindle [250 pp. assigned].

Gill, Rosa Maria and Vasquez, Carmen Inoa. The Maria Paradox. Putnam Adult, 1996. ISBN: 978-0399141591, Pub. Price 22.95. Available as e-book from Amazon Kindle [200 pp. assigned].

Hume, David and Steinberg, Eric. An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. 2nd edition, Annotated. Hackett Classics, 1993. ISBN: 978-0872202290, Pub. Price $9.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library. Also available as e-book from Amazon Kindle [50 pp. assigned].

James, W. The Varieties of Religious Experience [with Biographical Introduction]. Modern Library, 1909. ISBN: 978-1500779146, Pub. Price $8.99. Available as e-book from Amazon Kindle [50 pp. assigned].

X, Malcom and Haley, Alex. The Autobiography of Malcolm X. Random House Publishing Group, 1999. ISBN: 978-0345915368, Pub. Price $20.00. Available as e-book from Amazon Kindle [200 pp. assigned].

Course Reader [250 pp. assigned].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Canvas learning activities including watching course lectures and other materials as well as participating in active learning provided. [35 hours].
  2. 1,000 pages of required reading. [60 hours].
  3. Completion of three 3-page essays to be submitted online via Canvas (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, & 3]. [15 hours].
  4. A research essay on an assigned topic [3,000 words] to be submitted in steps via online Canvas (35%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, & 3]. [30 hours].

a. Students will apply online via a quiz

b. Students will conduct three 15 minutes in-depth interviews that will be an integral part of the paper.

c. The paper could be on the race relations research or a topic of the student’s choice.

  1. Weekly Canvas online forum participation discussing assigned readings, biblical texts read or previous class dialogue with one original 150 words contribution and one response to another student’s original writing 100 words long (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2]. [10 hours].
  2. Weekly Canvas quiz participation: The quiz will cover the contents of the assigned chapters from Barrett, Stanley R. Anthropology: A Student's Guide to Theory and Method ONLY (not other readings). This is an open book quiz, but there is a TIME LIMIT; therefore it is best to read the chapter in advance. You will be allowed to take the quiz more than one time, but the order of the questions will change each time (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. [10 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet requirement in the 80 MAICS (2017).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.