Fall 2013/Pasadena
ET545
Lee
ET545: THEOLOGY AND ETHICS IN ASIAN-AMERICAN CONTEXTS. Hak Joon Lee.
DESCRIPTION: This course studies emerging theologies and ethics of Asian American Christianity. Using an interdisciplinary approach, it examines distinctive social and historical contexts, cultural heritages and values of Asian American communities in a critical conversation with Scripture and Christian traditions. Major themes and topics include, among others, immigration and transnationalism, legacy and influence of Confucianism, Pan Asian Americanism, racialization and identity development and construction, and intergenerational and gender conflicts
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Asian American churches are fast growing with vibrant life in many parts of the US, bringing a new energy and resources to American Protestant Christianity. However, many Asian American Christians are still struggling with various issues that are unique to their culture and social contexts, such as their Asian cultural and religious heritages, the intergenerational gap, gender roles, and racial identity. This course will help students to understand their distinctive cultural contexts, the nature and dynamics of Asian American ministry, and to creatively explore rich resources of Scripture and Christian traditions in addressing these challenges in their pursuit of faithful and fruitful ministry.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will demonstrate that they have (1) increased their cultural & social literacy in analyzing distinctive social and historical contexts and dynamics of their ministry; (2) developed the ability to critically engage Scripture and theological-moral traditions with distinctive cultural issues and concerns arising in their communities; (3) acquired the skills to understand and assess the merits of diverse ethical orientations, theological perspectives, and ministry practices within Asian American Christian communities; (4) developed competence to articulate their theological and ethical perspectives in a larger Christian community.
COURSE FORMAT: This class will meet weekly for a three-hour session for discussion and lecture.
REQUIRED READING:
Jeung, Russell. Faithful Generations: Race and New Asian American Churches. Rutgers University Press, 2004. ISBN: 978-0813535036, Pub. Price $24.95 [240 pp. assigned].
Lee, Sang Hyun. From a Liminal Place: An Asian American Theology. Fortress, 2010. ISBN: 978-0800696689, Pub. Price $29.00 [200 pp.].
Rah, Soong-Chan. The Next Evangelicalism: Freeing the Church from Western Cultural Captivity. Invervarsity Press, 2009. ISBN: 978-0830833603, Pub. Price $15.00 [228 pp.].
Zhou, Min and J.V. Gatewood, eds. Contemporary Asian America: A Multidisciplinary Reader. 2nd ed. NYU Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-0814797136, Pub. Price $30.00 [300 pp. assigned].
RECOMMENDED READING:
Brock, Rita Nakashima, et al., eds. Off the Menu: Asian and Asian North American Women's Religion and Theology. Westminster John Knox Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-0664231408, Pub. Price $40.00.
Kim, Sharon. A Faith of Our Own: Second Generation Spirituality in Korean American Churches. Rutgers University Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0813547275, Pub. Price $29.95.
Foskett, Mary F. and Jeffrey Kah-jin Kuan, eds. Ways of Being, Ways of Reading: Asian American Biblical Interpretation. Chalice Press, 2006. ISBN: 978-0827242548, Pub. Price $29.99.
Min, Pyong Gap. Second generation, Ethnic Identity among Asian Americans. Alta Mira 2002. ISBN: 978-0759101760, Pub. Price $32.95.
Tan, Jonathan Y. Introducing Asian American Theologies. Orbis, 2008.ISBN: 978-1570757686, Pub. Price $24.00.
Tuan, Mia. Forever Foreigners or Honorary Whites? The Asian Ethnic Experience Today. Rutgers University Press, 2001. ISBN: 978-0813526249, Pub. Price $23.95.
Tseng, Timothy and Viji Nakka-Cammauf, eds. Asian American Christianity: A Reader (2009); purchase your own copy at http://aacreader.com/how-to-order
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: (total: 100 points = 100%)
Attendance, completion of weekly assigned reading before class, and participation in discussions (5 points)
Two take-home essay exams (4 pages, double-spaced; 15 x 2 = 30 points)
One half-hour in –class essay quiz on assigned texts and lectures (15 points)
A final term paper (50 points)
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.
FINAL EXAMINATION: Two take-home essay exams.