Fall 2007/Pasadena
TC501
Branson/Bolger

TC501: AMERICAN CULTURE: SOCIAL LOCATION & THE GOSPEL. Mark Lau Branson & Ryan Bolger.

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)