Winter 2008/Pasadena & Colorado Springs
TM507
Branson/Martínez
TM507: ETHNICITIES & CHURCHES: U.S. NARRATIVES & INTERCULTURAL LIFE.
Mark Lau Branson and Juan Martínez.
DESCRIPTION: This course will introduce students to the narratives of U.S.
ethnic groups with theoretical materials from cultural/social anthropology and
intercultural communication. Students will be given means for perceiving,
understanding, and developing ministry in the context of the multicultural U.S.
environment. The course will attend to theological and spiritual resources that
support church leadership, with heuristic foci on African American, Hispanic
American, Asian American, and Euro-American experiences.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: The course seeks the following goals for each student:
Cognitive: Historical and theoretical knowledge about social anthropology,
U.S. ethnic groups, intercultural communication, and the interpretation of
artifacts, in conversation with Christian theology, with special attention to
the United States. Affective: Deepened appreciation for cultures,
personal and communal responsibility, and ownership regarding ethnic histories,
and increased commitment to overcoming racism in society and in churches.
Skills: Culturally-informed interpretive skills regarding social
histories, personal relationships, and church life and leadership.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: All churches in the United States, especially those in
urban environments, need to have a life and ministry that is faithful to the
presence of peoples from various cultures.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for three hours. Students will need
to complete reading and other assignments on schedule and participate fully in
class. Assignments will be the basis for class discussions, lectures, and
student presentations. Students will also participate in film discussion,
web-based research, group blogs & wikis, and personal blogs. Students will
also visit worship services.
REQUIRED READING:
- Branson, Mark Lau, and Juan Martínez. Churches and
Ethnicities: Leading Toward Intercultural Life. Unpublished manuscript,
2007 (on class website).
- Emerson, Michael O. People of the Dream: Multiracial Congregations in
the U.S. Princeton Univ., 2006.
- Emerson, Michael O., and Christian Smith. Divided by Faith: Evangelical
Religion and the Problem of Race in America. Oxford University Press,
2000.
- Law, Eric. The Wolf Shall Dwell with the Lamb. Chalice, 1993.
- Takaki, Ronald. A Larger Memory: A History of Our Diversity, with
Voices. Little, Brown & Co., 1998.
- Additional articles will be posted on the class website.
RECOMMENDED READING: A list of recommended readings will be provided on the
class website.
ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Be prepared and participate in class (10%). (2) Read
assigned books and articles; post comments on blog per instructions; respond to
other student blogs; submit a reading log (20%). (3) Based on Branson &
Martínez text, write four 500-word papers synthesizing cultural
comparisons and provide personal illustrations (4 papers, 10%). (4) Write a
personal "cultural autobiography" per instructions and post to blog (1000-1200
words); post a revision in light of theoretical work (500-600 words) (15%).
(5) Participate in a group research, film discussion, group blog interaction,
and group wiki on one ethnic group; includes two church visits (30%). (6)
Final paper (3000 words) provides theological, personal, and ministry
reflections concerning course resources/learnings (15%). (7) For pursuit of an
A/A-: Read Acts, noting treatment of cultural issues, and write a 1000-1200
word observation and reflection paper.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Missions (MIN 8) and
the MA requirement for Globalization (GLBL) or Ethnicity (ETHN).
FINAL EXAMINATION: No.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (1/08)