Spring 2013/Pasadena
PH522
Cooke
PH522: PERSPECTIVES ON CHRIST AND CULTURE. Clay Cooke with Richard Mouw as occasional guest lecturer.
DESCRIPTION: The church has long debated how Christians ought to relate to their cultural surroundings. This course will introduce students to a range of philosophical perspectives on how Christians can read, critique, transform, enjoy, and create culture.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: It is important that Christian leaders be able to thoughtfully articulate their own philosophy of culture if they hope to faithfully guide the believing community in proper patterns of cultural discipleship in the world.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the end of this course students will be able to (1) analyze, appreciate, and critique culture from a theological perspective; (2) think and write critically about the philosophical nature of culture and cultural artifacts; (3) demonstrate a deeper understanding of the relationship between a biblical worldview and culture; (4) exemplify a deeper understanding of the complexities and tensions facing the Christian church in diverse and rapidly changing cultures and subcultures; (5) thoughtfully articulate a Christian approach to a specific sphere of culture (art, politics, economics, etc.) in the form of a final paper.
COURSE FORMAT: Class time will be devoted to both lectures and discussion. There will be weekly reading assignments. The class will meet weekly for a three-hour session.
REQUIRED READING:
Crouch, Andy. Culture Making: Recovering Our Creative Calling. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0830833948, Pub.price: $26.00 [284 pp.].
De Young, Curtis Paul, Michael O. Emerson, George Yancey, and Karen Chai Kim. United by Faith: The Multiracial Congregation as an Answer to the Problem of Race. Oxford University Press, 2004. ISBN: 978-0195177527, Pub. Price $19.99 [240 pp.].
Hunter, James Davison. To Change the World: The Irony, Tragedy, and Possibility of Christianity in the Late Modern World. Oxford University Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0199730803, Pub.price $27.95 [368 pp.].
Smith, James K. A. Desiring the Kingdom: Worship, Worldview, and Cultural Formation. Baker Books, 2009. ISBN: 978-0801035777, Pub.price: $21.99 [240 pp.].
Willimon, William and Stanley Hauerwas. Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony. Nashville: Abingdon, 1989. ISBN: 978-0687361595, Pub.price: $17.00 [175 pp.]
Course Reader.
Students will also choose ONE of the following parallel reading tracks (topics available include art, politics, economics, architecture and urban planning, work, and globalization):
Chaplin, Adrienne, and Hillary Brand. Art and Soul: Signposts for Christians in the Arts. InterVarsity Press, 2001. ISBN: 978-0830826742, Pub.price $32.00 [200 pp].
Goheen, Michael, and Erin Glanville, eds. The Gospel and Globalization. Regent College Publishing, 2009. ISBN: 978-1573834407, Pub.price $29.95 [220 pp. assigned].
Hardy, Lee. The Fabric of this World: Inquiries into Calling, Career Choice, and the Design of Human Work. Eerdmans, 1990. ISBN:978-0802802989, Pub.price $20.00 [231 pp.].
Jacobsen, Erik. Sidewalks in the Kingdom: New Urbanism and the Christian Faith. Brazos Press, 2003. ISBN: 978-1587430572. Pub.price $22.00 [190 pp.].
Koyzis, David. Political Visions and Illusions. InterVarsity Press, 2003. ISBN: 978-0830827268, Pub.price $24.00 [282 pp.].
Turkle, Sherry. Alone Together: Why We Expect More from Technology and Less from Each Other. Basic Books, 2011. ISBN: 978-0465031467. Pub. Price $16.99 [176 pp. assigned].
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: Regular assigned readings and a few short reading quizzes; two reflection papers (5 pp. double-spaced); a midterm exam; and a final research paper (10-15 pp. double-spaced) will be required. No final exam.
Reading Quizzes (15%)
Reflection Paper #1 (15%)
Reflection Paper #2 (15%)
Midterm (25%)
Final Paper (30%)
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets PHIL requirement in the MDiv and MAT program.
FINAL Examination: No.