DESCRIPTION: This course provides a comprehensive introduction to religious plurality in the U.S.A., with the African American community serving as a case study for the examination and investigation of relevant topics related to the varieties of African American religious experience. Based on an examination of the biblical, theological, and contextual basis for Christian missions, various streams of global religions, including African-centered religions, Christianity, Islam, and others, will be studied from the perspective of faith, worldview, religious practice, history, and culture. Special consideration is given to the dynamics of evangelism, contextualization, and interfaith witness and dialogue.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing the course will have demonstrated (1) an increased understanding of God's mission in the world; (2) a greater appreciation for different worldviews; (3) an increased understanding of the need to grow in cross-cultural sensitivity; (4) skills for contextualizing the gospel and church life in religiously diverse settings; and (5) an understanding of the social and missional concerns in one's own ministry context.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: This course is designed to assist students in developing an integrative Christian theological framework for understanding the nature and challenges of Christian mission within a religiously diverse society, as well as an understanding of how Christian dialogue and witness can become contextualized through congregational, ecumenical, and interfaith relations.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will include lecture, reading assignments, a field visit to an unfamiliar religious community or organization, case studies, videos, and communal reflections during the class period. Understanding as well as a passing grade will require diligent and active participation by the students. The class will meet daily for four-hour sessions for two weeks.

REQUIRED READING:

Chireau, Yvonne, and Nathaniel Deutsch, eds. Black Zion: African American Religious Encounters with Judaism. Oxford University Press, 2000.

Hood, Robert. Must God Remain Greek? Afro Cultures and God-Talk. Fortress Press, 1990.

Marsh, Clifton E. The Lost-Found Nation of Islam in America. Scarecrow Press, 1996.

McCloud, Aminah Beverly. African American Islam. Routledge, 1995.

Pinn, Anthony. Varieties of African American Religious Experience. Fortress Press, 1998.

Williams, Angel Kyodo. Being Black: Zen & the Art of Living with Fearlessness & Grace. Penguin, 2000.

Blyden, Edward W. Christianity, Islam and the Negro Race. Black Classic Press, 1994.

Mitchell, H. Black Church Beginnings: The Long-Hidden Realities of the First Years. Eerdmans, 2004.

Smith, Jane I., ed. "Christian-Muslim Dialogue in North America," July 2004 special issue of The Muslim World Journal. Hartford Seminary. Blackwell Publishers.

Yasin, Abdallah. Islamicizing America. James T. Winston Publishing Co., 1996.

Young, W. A. The World's Religions: Worldviews and Contemporary Issues. Prentice Hall, 1995.