MH505: Issues in Mission History (4 units)

Jehu Hanciles, Associate Professor of Mission History and Globalization
Winter 2003, Pasadena

DESCRIPTION:

This course serves as a core competency or foundation module for mission studies and introduces the student to historical methods and research (including mission historiograhy). It focuses on the significance of history as a dimension of human experience, a primary component in theological reflection, and a functional element in study of missions. While its content provides an overview of the last five hundred years of mission history -- roughly 1500 to the present -- the main focus will be on assessing the formation, structures, and impact of the modern missionary movement (both Roman Catholic and Protestant). Close attention will be paid to regional patterns of growth, key players and thinkers, principal mission theories and strategies, as well as the transformational role of Christian missions in the making of the present world order.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Develop a working historical knowledge and missiological understanding of the growth of the Christian church into a worldwide phenomenon.
• Foster habits of mind and study that include the critical examination of data, objective analysis of events, trends, etc. (in the public domain).
• Ability to evaluate contemporary challenges in mission and the ministry of the Church.

COURSE FORMAT:

Class meets twice a week in two-hour periods. At least thirty minutes of each session will be devoted to class discussion of recommended readings and/or student presentations.

REQUIRED READING:

Goodpasture, H. McKennie, Cross and Sword: An Eyewitness History… Orbis, 1989.
Hastings, Adrian. A World History of Christianity. Eerdmans, 1999.
Poewe, Karla (ed.), Charismatic Christianity as a Global Culture. University of South Carolina Press, 1994.
Ross, Andrew, A Vision Betrayed: The Jesuits in Japan and China, 1542-1742. Orbis, 2002.
Walls, Andrew F., The Cross-Cultural Process in Christian History. Orbis, 2002.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Chidester, David. Christianity: a Global History. Harper, 2000.
Dussel, Enrique, The Church in Latin America, 1492-1992…Orbis, 1992
Hanciles, Jehu J. Euthanasia of a Mission. Praeger, 2002.
Hastings, Adrian, The Church in Africa, 1450-1950. Clarendon Press, 1994.
Neely, Alan, Christian Mission: A Case Study Approach. Orbis, 1997.
Neil, Stephen. A History of Christian Missions. Penguin, 1990.
Robert, Dana L. (ed.), Missionary Women in the Twentieth Century. Orbis, 2002.
Shenk, Wilbert, Changing Frontiers of Mission. Orbis, 1999.

ASSIGNMENTS:

Write and submit three (3 to 4 pages) reflection papers by stipulate deadlines. 1600 pages of reading expected. Research and write a 4000-word paper (maximum 20 pages, excluding bibliography) making use of primary or archival material such as available in the McAlister Library. The paper should treat one of the following: a) the life and contribution of a major figure to missionary thinking and strategy, b) a biographical account highlighting the significance of a major missionary figure (indigenous or cross-cultural); c) a study of emergence and growth of a specific Christian community or denomination in relation to missionary expansion, d) a critical examination of the impact of a particular of missionary movement. Th.M students will be required to submit a book review and write a 5000-word paper demonstrating greater intellectual critique and analytical depth.

PREREQUISITES: None

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Core course for MA-ICS program.

FINAL EXAM: None

Last Date Edited: October 4, 2002