Spring 2014/Fuller Online
MT501
Mainiero
MT501: DOING THEOLOGY IN GLOBAL CONTEXTS (4 Units). Andrew J. Mainiero.
DESCRIPTION: This course provides a basic introduction to theological reflection as this has developed in various places and is currently emerging in a global context. The goal is to provide the background and terminology necessary for students to begin exploring theology as an expanding conversation about the meaning of Scripture and the Christian life that extends itself through history and around the world.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: The goal of this course is to help students to begin to construct their own theology in a variety of cultural, ecclesiastical, and spiritual traditions and contexts, in critical dialogue with differing theological perspectives. Students completing this course will be able to: (1) Identify the basic “loci” (subjects) and structure of Christian theology; (2) Synthesize basic structures and “loci” of Christian theology with a range of cultural, contextual and global matters; (3) Evaluate the theology of an influential Christian thinker in the history of the church; (4) develop their own theology in critical dialogue with various views.
COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar. Students are required to interact with the material and with each other regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning. The course material is designed to guide each student in the development of a major paper in which the student reflects on a theological “loci” in relationship to a twenty-first century issue and context.
REQUIRED READING: Approximately 1,160 pages of reading
Brown, Robert McAfee. Unexpected News: Reading the Bible with Third World Eyes. 1st ed. Westminster Press, 1984. ISBN: 978-0664245528, Pub. Price $20.00 [168 pp.].
OR González, Justo L. Santa Biblia: The Bible through Hispanic Eyes. Abingdon Press, 1996. ISBN: 978-0687014521, Pub. Price $18.00 [200 pp.].
OR Kirwen, Michael C. The Missionary and the Diviner: Contending Theologies of Christian and African Religions. Orbis, 1987. ISBN: 978-0883445846, Pub. Price $17.00 [134 pp.].
OR Lee, Sang Hyun. From a Liminal Place: An Asian American Theology. Fortress Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0800696689, Pub. Price $29.00 [200 pp.].
OR Twiss, Richard. One Church Many Tribes: Following the Jesus Way God Made You. Regal, 2000. ISBN: 978-0830725458, Pub. Price $15.00 [219 pp.].
OR a book selected from a global and multi-tradition bibliography provided in the syllabus.
Dyrness, William, and Veli-Matti Kärkkäinen, eds. Global Dictionary of Theology. InterVarsity Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0830824540, Pub. Price $50.00 [10 articles approximately 120 pp.].
Keller, Timothy. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. Riverhead Books, 2008. ISBN: 978-0525950493, Pub. Price $24.95 [251 pp.]. OR a book selected by the student related to the student’s final paper (meeting the guidelines in the syllabus) OR the student may choose to do an interview assignment (according to the guidelines in the syllabus) in place of this reading assignment.
McGrath, Alister. Christian Theology. 5th ed. Blackwell, 2011. ISBN: 978-1444335149, Pub. Price $48.00 [400 pp.].
Ott, Craig, and Harold Netland, eds. Globalizing Theology: Belief and Practice in an Era of World Christianity. Baker, 2006. ISBN: 978-0801031120, Pub. Price $30.00 [350 pp.].
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Personal responses/reflections (1/2 page each) to 10 articles selected from The Global Dictionary of Theology (10%).
Three reading responses, 1-2 pages each (15%).
Student choice of: reading response (1-2 pages) to a book related to their final paper topic OR a summary and personal reflection (2-3 pages) regarding an interview conducted by the student (5%).
A biographical executive summary (5 pages) of the theology of a significant Christian thinker (15%).
A research/reflection paper (12-15 pages) on a global theological topic (30%).
Participation in 10 online group forums (25%).
COURSE STRUCTURED HOURS:
45 hours: 1,140 pages of reading (Based on the length of first book mentioned when a choice is involved. Students may choose the other options, which may increase or decrease the total amount of pages read.)
20 hours: 15-18 page Integration Paper
17 hours: 5 modules (10 weeks) online lessons
20 hours: 10 forums
10 hours: 4, 3-page book reviews
5 hours: 10 half-page responses to 10 articles
3 hours: 1 short paper (Executive Summary of a Christian thinker)
120 total hours
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Seminary core requirement (SCR) for MATM, MAICS, MAFS, MACL (effective Winter 2010).
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.