Fall 2017/Fuller Online

NS563

Sechrest

NS563: RACE AND CHRISTIAN IDENTITY IN THE NEW TESTAMENT (4 Units: 160 Hours). Love Sechrest.

DESCRIPTION: This course develops a biblically based, theological approach to identity by exploring the relationship between racial identity, ethnic identity and Christian identity. Lectures and discussions about NT texts and works about ethnic and racial identity help students understand the biblical world-view and modern and post-modern trends on the subject of racial and ethnic identity. Students will be exposed to several biblical, theological, and theoretical approaches that will be used to construct a uniquely Christian posture about race issues in society for a variety of ethno-racial groups. Classes include lectures, discussion, online directed learning activities, and student-lead seminars on Christian identity ethics.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed the requirements for this course, students will have demonstrated the ability (1) to articulate the relationship between New Testament exegesis and New Testament ethics in moral reasoning about ethnoracial relations and identity; (2) to apply identity theory regarding race, ethnicity and gender to issues in modern ethnoracial relations for critical reflection on Christian discipleship and the mission of the church; and (3) to develop moral analogies for Christian ethics on problems in race and ethnic relations in a way that incorporates contextually sensitive exegesis of the NT, and sensitivity to modern identity theory.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours, which is outlined below in the assignment and assessment section. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: 1,200 pp. required.

COURSE TEXTBOOK:

Tatum, Beverly Daniel. Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? BasicBooks, 2003. ISBN: 978-0465083619, Pub. Price $16.99 [294 pp.].

E-RESERVES: 1003 pp. of readings including the following:

Guardiola-Sáenz, Leticia A. “Borderless Women and Borderless Texts: A Cultural Reading of Matthew 15:21-28,” Semeia, no. 78 (1997): 69-81.

Harvey, Jennifer. Dear White Christians: For Those Still Longing for Racial Reconciliation (Prophetic Christianity). Eerdmans, 2014. [selected chapters].

Hays, Richard. Moral Vision of the New Testament: Community, Cross, New Creation, A Contemporary Introduction to New Testament. HarperCollins, 1996. ISBN: 978-0060637965, Pub. Price $26.99 [87 pp. assigned].

Horrell, David. Solidarity and Difference. 2nd ed. Bloomsbury T&T Clark, 2015. ISBN: 978-0567043221, Pub. Price $39.95 [102 pp. assigned].

Kim, Jean K. “A Korean Feminist Reading of John 4:1-42” in Semeia no 78 (1997), p 109-119.

Maier, Harry O. “Coming out of Babylon: A First World Reading of Revelation among Immigrants” in David Rhoads, eds. From Every People and Nation: The Book of Revelation in Intercultural Perspective. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2005. [pp. 62-81].

Sechrest, Love. A Former Jew: Paul and the Dialectics of Race. T&T Clark, 2010. [selected chapters].

Smith, Andrea. “Native Evangelicals and Scriptural Ethnographies,” in MisReading America: Scriptures and Difference, Vincent Wimbush ed. Oxford, 2013. [pp. 23-65].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Lectures, videos, and online exercises. [20 hours].

  2. Lecture Response Forums: 250-word weekly forum posts and short 50-100 word responses that respond to weekly lectures on NT texts (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1-3] [10 hours].

  3. Integration Forums: 250-word weekly forum posts and short 50-100 word responses that integrate reflection on biblical texts, readings, and contemporary issues in race relations (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome 2] [10 hours].

  4. Required Reading: 1,200 pages [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1-3]. [80 hours].

  5. Journals: Regular 1-2 page assignments in preparation for class that involve interaction with secondary literature (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 2 and 3]. [10 hours].

  6. Term paper: 15 pp. paper that does theological and biblical reflection on some pertinent ethical dilemma in ethnicity or race relations (40%). [This activity is the signature assignment and is related to learning outcomes 2 and 3]. [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: BI500 or NS502, and NT500, NS500 or NS501.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the Biblical Elective requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Option to meet the C5 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Meets 144 MDiv core requirement in New Testament Theology (NTT); Meets MA requirement in Ethnicity (ETHN). Serves as a course 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.

For your convenience, order these texts online through the Archives Bookshop.