Spring 2018/Pasadena

MR520

Shaw

MR520: HUMAN SPIRITUALITY IN CULTURE. (4 Units: 160 Hours) R. Daniel Shaw.

DESCRIPTION: The Koran, the Vedas, the Torah, the Analects of Confucius, the Bible—the theological texts of every religion are aesthetically beautiful works. But anyone who has engaged in ministry with real people knows that the way they actually experience and practice religion is often quite different from the ideals reflected in their holy writings. This course will apply Cognitive Studies of Religion (CSR) tools to bring insight to connecting with human spirituality as experienced within various socio-religious contexts. It is important to appreciate the relationships between a people’s beliefs, values and experiences, religious practitioners, and the cultural institutions that support them. The course will anticipate how these dynamics often impact (and possibly create) at-risk populations in every society: women, children, immigrants, and other marginalized groups.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon completing the course students will (1) understand and be able to use CSR tools for accessing human spirituality; (2) be able to identify the key elements of human spirituality; (3) be able to appreciate and exegete rituals and ceremonies relevant to the well-being of all people within a socio-religious context; and (4) be able to bring missiological understanding to ensure appropriate Christian responses to human spirituality in encountered contexts.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets once per week for three-hour sessions for a total of 30 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion plus 10 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours. Lectures, small group interactions, classroom discussion, and presentations will provide an environment for learning.

REQUIRED READING: 1425 pages required. If you have previously read any of the required texts, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading list or a book approved by the instructor.

Hiebert, P. G., R. D. Shaw, and T. Tienou. Understanding Folk Religion: A Christian Response to Popular Beliefs and Practices. Baker Academic, 2000. ISBN: 978-0801022197, Pub. Price $34.00 [400 pp.].

Moro, P., and A. Lehmann, A., eds. Magic, Witchcraft and Religion. 9th ed. McGraw-Hill Education, 2012. ISBN: 978-0078034947, Pub. Price $84.96 [200 pp. assigned.]. Earlier editions OK.

Shaw, R.D. and W. R. Burrows (Eds). Traditional Rituals As Christian Worship: Dangerous Syncretism or Necessary Hybridity. ASM Series, Orbis Press, 2018. ISBN: 978-1626982628, Pub. Price $50.00. [300 ±pp.].

Shaw, R. D. Course Reader. Access through eReserve on-line. 2014 [275 pp.].

Religious ethnography (or articles) of student’s choice pertaining to spirituality in a religious or marginalized community. Students will be expected to find materials pertaining to their population of choice and read approximately 250 pages of material pertaining to this interest. This may be books, articles, web-based material, etc.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. READING: Assigned reading groups will meet (outside of class) each week. Weekly readings from text and course materials as assigned, with reading log entries. (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1] [80 hours].
  2. WRITING: Interaction with people in a field context from which each student will write a 5-page case study based on observations of a religious context or marginalized community (20%), make a classroom presentation (10%), and write a 20-page term paper (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2 and 3]. [40 hours total].
  3. Directed Learning Activity: Small Groups [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3 and 4]. [10 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None. Cultural Anthropology helpful but not required.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the C1 or C2 requirement in the 120 MDiv, 80 MATM, and 80 MAICS Programs (Fall 2015). This course serves as a substitute for MB501.

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.