Individualized Distance Learning

MI515

Shenk & Lawanson

MI515: MISSIOLOGICAL REFLECTION FOR APPLICATION ( 4 units).

Wilbert Shenk, Senior Professor of Mission History and Contemporary Culture
Remi Lawanson, Adjunct Instructor in Mission Integration

DESCRIPTION:

As with every field of study, missiology has its particular focus, literature, and methods. To engage in missiological reflection requires appropriate tools and resources. This course introduces the student to these basic perspectives and tools. A special feature of the course is the use made of biographies of mission leaders that model effective missiological investigation, reflection, and action. The School of Intercultural Studies’ framework for missiological study—Word, Church, World—will be employed. Because effective missiology is developed interactively, opportunity will be given for collaboration in learning.

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

Upon the successful completion of the course, students will develop: 1) an understanding of what distinguishes missiological thinking from other modes of discourse 2) knowledge of basic missiological literature, key thinkers, and the development of mission studies 3) the ability to synthesize the contribution each core course in the MACCS or MAICS programs of the School of Intercultural Studies makes to the theory and practice of missiology 4) identification of critical contributions of core missiological disciplines to issues recognized in the case study in the student’s context 5) formulation of an integrated missiological response to case study issues

 

COURSE FORMAT :

The course uses recorded lectures, a detailed independent study guide, and readings. It is designed to be completed in an 11-week period while allowing for flexibility in the student’s schedule. Students will interact with the material examining main themes of missiology.

 

REQUIRED READING: Read 1,200 pages from the following

  • Gerald H. Anderson , et al., eds., Mission Legacies: Biographical Studies of Leaders of the Modern Mission Movement. Orbis Books, 1994.
  • Wilbert R. Shenk , ed. The Transfiguration of Mission. Herald, 1993.
  • Norman E. Thomas , ed., Classic Texts in Mission and World Christianity. Orbis Books,1995.
  • Jacob A. Loewen , Culture and Human Values. WCL, 1975.
  • Wilbert R. Shenk , Changing Frontiers of Mission Orbis Books, 1999
  • A reader (available with the class material) consisting of selected autobiographies from the IBMR "Pilgrimage in Mission" series and essays and excerpts by representative missiologists.
  • One book selected from the bibliography, “Basic Books in Missiology”, in the syllabus.


RECOMMENDED READING:

  • Charles R. Taber , To Understand the World, to Save the World: The Interface Between Missiology and the Social Sciences. Trinity Press International, 2000.
  • Alan Neely, Christian Mission-A Case Study Approach. Orbis Press, 1995.

ASSIGNMENTS:

  • A reading journal containing critical reflection on weekly readings, to be submitted at the end of the quarter (10%).
  • Ten 150-word journal assignments completed during the class to be submitted as one document at the end of the quarter (15%).
  • Students will be required to write a 3,000-word paper as a missiological integrative reflection assignment based on student learning outcomes for the School of Intercultural Studies. This paper should demonstrate knowledge of the integration of missiological perspectives and contextual factors and insights gained from the study of core courses in missiology (40%).
  • Students will select a missiologist from Mission Legacies or the “Pilgrimage in Mission” series (see “Case Studies: Missiologists”) and develop a 3,000-word written report of the missiologist’s life and work, and at least three critical contributions to missiological disciplines (35%).
  • Th.M. students: read and write one additional reading report of an additional book from “Basic Books in Missiology” listed in the Syllabus (total of 4 reviews in total); write a 4,500-word term paper for assignment #3 above.

PREREQUISITES: MA-CCS students must have completed 24 units of missiology including 16 units of MACCS or MAICS Core Competencies.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM : Elective

FINAL EXAM: None

Updated April 2007