Fall 2019/Online

MR578

King

MR578: MUSIC, PEACEBUILDING, AND INTERFAITH DIALOGUE (4 Units: 160 Hours). Roberta R. King.

DESCRIPTION: In an era of heightened globalization, extremist acts of violence are linking global and local contexts in ways that require interreligious peoples to practice interfaith dialogue and live together as neighbors. This course explores the contribution of music and the performing arts in fostering sustainable peacebuilding among Muslims and Christians. Based on research in the Arab world (Lebanon, Egypt, Libya, and Morocco) and Southeast Asia (Indonesia), the course focuses on music’s transformative role in conflict and post-conflict settings as it examines how music and song are used in our faiths and daily lives.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) identify and articulate the contribution of music and the arts in fostering sustainable peacebuilding among Muslims and Christians; (2) knowledgably address commonalities and differences between religious peoples and music traditions related to music, peacebuilding and interfaith dialogue; (3) understand the dynamic interaction and sociological roles of music and the arts in global and local societies within interreligious contexts; (4) design contextualized interfaith events that employ music and the arts for peacebuilding; and (5) articulate a personal philosophy of ministry and mission that effectively encourages, catalyzes, and incorporates musicians and artists in peacebuilding and interfaith dialogue.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will introduce students to content and interactive practices for engaging with religious peoples that contributes to the SIS PLO “Students will have demonstrated an understanding of the mission of God and the ministries of the global Church from an evangelical missiological perspective.”

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. 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. If you have read any of the required texts for another course, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading list in the syllabus or a book approved by the instructor.

King, Roberta R. and Sooi Ling Tan, eds. (un)Common Sounds: Songs of Peace and Reconciliation among Muslims and Christians. Cascade Books. 2014. ISBN: 978-1625644886. Pub. Price: $38.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [300 pp. assigned].

Hodge, Daniel White. Homeland Insecurity: A Hip-hop Missiology for the Post-Civil Rights Context. Downers Grove, IL: Intervarsity Press. 2018 ISBN 978-0-8308-5181-2. Pub. Price $27. [170 pages assigned].

Lawrence, Felicity and Olivier Urbain. Music and Solidarity: Questions of Universality, Consciousness, and Connection. Vol. 15, Peace & Policy. Transaction Publishers, 2011. ISBN: 978-1412842303, Pub. Price $44.95 Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [200 pp. assigned].

Lederach, John Paul. The Moral Imagination: the Art and Soul of Building Peace. Oxford University Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0195174540, Pub. Price $44.95 Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [180 pp. assigned].

O'Connell, John Morgan and Salwa El-Shawan Castelo-Branco, Eds. Music and Conflict. University of Illinois Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0252077388, Pub. Price $32.00 Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [250 pp. assigned].

Articles on Peacebuilding, Interfaith Dialogue, Peace (Muslim and Christian Perspectives), accessible on the course website during the entire quarter the class is taught [110 pp. assigned].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Ten forum discussions engaging with assigned readings, video lectures and recordings (30% of final grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-3]. [20 hours].
  2. Weekly lessons, and video viewings (15%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-3]. [20 hours].
  3. 1,200 pp. of required reading This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1-3 [70 hours].
  4. A personal philosophy of employing music and the arts in peacebuilding and interfaith dialogue (3,000 words) (35% of final grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 5]. [20 hours].
  5. Group project with script, plus individual papers (1000 words) (35% of final grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2-4]. [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the C1 or C2 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. 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. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.