Fall 2007/Pasadena
TC501
Bolger/Branson
TC501: AMERICAN CULTURE: SOCIAL LOCATION & THE GOSPEL. Ryan Bolger &
Mark Lau Branson.
DESCRIPTION: Students will be introduced to American culture and examine the
various structures and practices within American society. Students will explore
modernity and postmodernity, popular culture, economics, and politics, and the
media. Students will learn to think theologically about American culture as
well as formulate a missional response for local congregations.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will
- analyze American culture through the lenses of ecclesiology, missiology,
and soteriology;
- gain individual and corporate skills in reflective interpretive work
regarding texts and contexts;
- acquire vision for and commitment to theological reflection on cultural
contexts;
- create plans on how churches might respond to American culture with
imagination and faithfulness.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Ministry (and all aspects of theological reflection,
biblical study, and specific practices) takes place in a cultural context that
is continually shaped by contextual forces. By learning narratives and gaining
skills for self-reflection and interpretive leadership, practicioners can
better understand their environment and work with others toward a
gospel-centered social imaginary and personal and social practices adequate to
embodying the gospel in a context.
COURSE FORMAT: This course will meet weekly for three-hour sessions for ten
weeks, utilizing reading, lectures, discussions, interaction, visual media,
small group work, a field trip, and web-based research and interaction.
REQUIRED READING: Students will read 1000 pages according to the course
schedule.
- Avram, Wes, ed. Anxious About Empire: Theological Essays on the
New Global Realities. Brazos Press, 2004.
- Campbell, Neil, and Alasdair Kean. American Cultural Studies: An
Introduction to American Culture. 2nd ed. Routledge, 2006.
- Walsh, Brian, and Sylvia Keesmaat. Colossians Remixed. InterVarsity
Press, 2004.
- Wuthnow, Robert. American Mythos. Princeton University Press,
2006.
- Course Reader.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Students will attend all course sessions and actively participate in
discussions (20%).
- Students will visit a specified museum or cultural site and write an 800
word cultural/theological reflection paper (5%).
- Students will read all assignments according to the course schedule and
complete a log concerning dates and materials read (15%).
- Students will write and post 3 reviews (800 word) for specified items, and
post discussion in online groups (15%).
- Students will prepare and lead a class discussion (or small group
discussion) on a particular topic in American Culture preceded by a memo on
topics and perspectives (5%).
- Students will research and write a paper (3000 words) on an approved topic,
including cultural and theological perspectives concerning a specific matter of
American culture and Christian discipleship and ministry (40%).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the culture (CULT) requirement in Cultural
Literacy for MA programs.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (7/07)