Winter 2015/Pasadena
TM528
Lee
TM528: ENGAGING ASIAN AMERICAN CONTEXTS (4 Units: 160 hours). Daniel D. Lee
DESCRIPTION: This course, designed for both Asian Americans and non-Asian Americans, teaches practical theology method for the task of constructing local theologies in Asian American contexts, which will be framed as the interaction of four key layers, the Asian American Quadrilateral: (1) Asian religious and cultural heritages, (2) Contemporary American culture, (3) Immigration/post-immigration experience, and (4) Racialization. Drawing upon historical, theological, ecclesial, biblical, and social science perspectives, this contextual engagement will serve Gospel understanding, articulation, demonstration, and invitation to faith in Jesus Christ for Asian Americans.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will be able to: (1) analyze Asian American contexts in its ethnic, generational, and regional diversity, discerning and evaluating current characteristics, practices, and beliefs; (2) articulate a conceptual framework of practical theology as it relates to Asian American contextual themes for transformational discipleship, mission, and ministry; and (3) explain various Asian American contextual approaches for Gospel understanding, demonstration, articulation, and invitation to faith in Jesus Christ.
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. Class times will include lectures and reflective discussions of materials and experiences. Students will submit a reflection paper engaging the materials with their experience each week.
REQUIRED READING: 1,400 pp. of required reading.
Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. Life Together: The Classic Exploration of Faith in Community. Zondervan, 2010. ISBN: 978-0060608521, Pub. Price $13.99 [122 pp. assigned].
Cha, Peter, S. Steve Kang, and Helen Lee (eds). Growing Healthy Asian American Churches. IVP, 2006. ISBN: 978-0830833252, Pub. Price: $18.00 [146 pp. assigned].
Guder, Darrell L. (ed). Missional Church: A Vision for the Sending of the Church in North America.
Eerdmans, 1998. ISBN: 978-0802843500, Pub. Price: $29.00 [185 pp. assigned].
Nadeau, Randall L. Asian Religions: A Cultural Perspective. Wiley-Blackwell, 2014.
ISBN: 978-1118471968, Pub. Price: $29.95 [80 pp. assigned].
Park, M. Sydney, Soong-Chan Rah, and Al Tizon (eds). Honoring the Generations: Learning with Asian North American Congregations. Judson Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-0817017064, Price: $19.99 [122 pp. assigned].
Tewari, Nita and Alvin N. Alvarez. Asian American Psychology: Current Perspective. Psychology Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0805860085, Pub. Price $85.00 [247 pp. assigned].
Course Reader [498 pp.].
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
1,400 pp. of required reading [70 hours].
Weekly 500 word reflection papers, a total of 9 papers (1/3 of final grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1-3]. [18 hours].
A 3,000 word integration paper that uses the Asian American Quadrilateral for autobiographical interdisciplinary analysis and reflective praxis for faith and discipleship (1/3 of final grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcome 1]. [18 hours].
A 3,000 word contextualized gospel paper that examines the gospel presentation approaches for the student’s particular context of ministry (1/3 of final grade). [This assignment is related to learning outcome 3]. [24 hours].
PREREQUISITES: None
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets C3 or C5 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Required course for Asian American Contexts emphasis.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.