Spring 2020/Pasadena

TM507

Branson

TM507: ETHNICITIES & CHURCHES: U.S. NARRATIVES & INTERCULTURAL LIFE (4 Units: 160 Hours). Mark Lau Branson

DESCRIPTION: This course will introduce students to the narratives of U.S. ethnic groups with theoretical materials from cultural/social anthropology and intercultural communication. Students will be given means for perceiving, understanding, and developing ministry in the context of the multicultural U.S. environment. The course will attend to theological and spiritual resources that support church leadership, with heuristic foci on African-American, Hispanic-American, Asian-American, and Euro-American experiences.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will have demonstrated:(1)an ability to articulate the relationship between theories and practices for sympathetic engagement with cultures. (2) an understanding of the specific challenges of intercultural relations in the United States, in conversation with Christian theology, with special attention to the United States. (3) an ability to critically reflect on race and ethnic diversity for transformational discipleship, mission, and ministry. (4) an ability to develop intercultural interpretive and relational skills for use in church and mission settings.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: Addresses the MDiv PLO that states “Students will have demonstrated capacities to engage diverse cultural contexts for transformational discipleship, mission, and ministry.” Addresses the MATM/MAT PLOs that state “Students will have demonstrated capacities for historically informed theological and ethical reflection.” Addresses MAICS Area of Interest Class “Students will have demonstrated capacities to pursue vocations that engage the mission of God globally.”

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.

REQUIRED READING: 1100 pages required.

Branson, Mark Lau and Martínez, Juan. Churches, Cultures and Leadership: A Practical Theology of Congregations and Ethnicities. InterVarsity Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0830839261. Pub. Price: $30.00. [304 pp.] Available as an e-book from Fuller Library.

Kim, Grace Ji-Sun and Jann Aldredge-Clanton (eds.). Intercultural Ministry. Judson, 2017. ISBN: 978-0817017798. Pub. Price: $19.99. [220 pp.] Available as an e-book from Kindle.

Takaki, Ronald. A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America. Rev. Ed. Back Bay Books, 2008. ISBN: 978-0316022361, Pub. Price $18.00 [529 pp.]. Available as an e-book from Kindle.

Articles on Canvas [47 pp.]

RECOMMENDED READING:

Emerson, Michael O. and Christian Smith. Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America. Oxford University Press, 2001. ISBN: 978-0195147070, Pub. Price $19.99 [224 pp.].

Livermore, David. Leading with Cultural Intelligence: The Real Secret to Success.2nd ed. AMACOM, 2015. ISBN: 978-0814449172, Pub. Price $26.95 [272 pp.]

Moreau, A. Scott, Campbell, Evvy Hay and Greener, Susan. Effective Intercultural Communication: A Christian Perspective (Encountering Mission).Baker Academic, 2014. ISBN: 978-0801026638, Pub. Price $32.00 [416 pp.]

Plueddemann, James, Leading Across Cultures: Effective Ministry and Mission in the Global Church. IVP Academic, 2009. ISBN: 978-0830825783, Pub. Price $23.00 [230 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Required reading; report weekly on Canvas (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1- 4] [55 hours].
2. Active participation in weekly class; students cannot pass the course without a minimum of 7 class times (10%). [This assignment is related to LOs # 1-4] [30 hours].
3. Directed Learning Activity: Weekly online critical reflection that connects student experiences with course materials (usually a 200-300 word post and a 50 word follow-up) (10%). [This assignment is related to LOs #1-4] [10 hours].
4. Essay / cultural autobiography: Provide a reflective personal autobiography concerning your culture and experiences with alterity; note history, transitions in understanding & practices, the inter­action of faith, theology, identity, church, and world (1000-1200 words); present highlights to the class. (10%). [This assignment is related to LOs #2, 3, 4]. [5 hours].
5. Essay/Alterity: Select an ethnic minority group that is not your own; visit a cultural site; interview a pastor who works among that group. Develop a series of questions, based on your readings and class experience for the interview. The report (1000-1200 words) should include a description of the ethnic group and the specific issues faced by the pastor in ministering within that group; provide a brief class presentation, possibly in collaboration with other students who researched the same group (15%). [This assignment is related to Los #1-4] [15 hours].
6. Essay/Intercultural life: Select a church that has significant ethnic diversity (no group is more than 70%). The report (1000-1200 words) should include research on the history and current expressions, including various elements on how intercultural life arose and how it is embodied. Provide a brief class presentation, possibly in collaboration with other students who researched the same church (15%). [This assignment is related to Los #1-4] [15 hours].
7. Write a critical reflection paper on personal and ministry intercultural competencies (2000-2500 word) rooted in course resources. This paper will have cultural, theological, and ministry components. You can work with a case study or provide another approach to critical reflection. This serves as the signature assignment for the class (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4]. [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the C2 or C5 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2015). Meets 144 MDiv core requirement in Missions (MIN 8); meets MA in Theology (General Format) requirement for Globalization (GLBL). 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.