MD542: Globalization and Mission (4 units)

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

DESCRIPTION:

This course examines the globalization phenomenon and its wide-ranging implications for the contemporary church. It is divided into two parts. Part one provides a detailed assessment of the political, economic, and cultural dimensions of globalization with a view to unraveling myth and reality and applying biblical lenses. Part two examines, among other things, the role of Christianity as a globalizing force, emerging initiatives, models, and strategies of Christian missionary engagement, and plausible responses of the church to the problems, perils, and opportunities of the processes of globalization. Issues to be spotlighted include a theology of the body, spirituality and technology, global processes and localized resistance, missions and money, religious movement and economic development, modernity and religious commitment, migration and mission.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Ÿ Gain an understanding of globalization as a powerful transformative force that is multidirectional and profoundly paradoxical
Ÿ Develop an awareness of the trends and issues facing contemporary Christianity
Ÿ Gain insight into the nature and possible impact of recent transformations in global Christianity

Course Format:

Class meets twice a week for a period of three hours each session. At least forty minutes of each session will be devoted to class discussion of recommended readings and/or student presentations.

Required Reading:

Burbaker, Pamela K. Globalization at What Price? The Pilgrim Press, 2001.
Held, D, et al, Global Transformation: Politics, Economics and Culture. Stanford Univ. Pr, 1999.
Jenkins, Philip, The next Christendom: The coming of global Christianity. Oxford, 2001
Mittleman, James, H., The Globalization Syndrome. Princeton, 2000.
Sine, Tom, Mustard Seed versus McWorld. Baker Books, 1999.

Recommended Reading:

Bonk, Jonathan, Missions and Money. Orbis, 1999.
Drane, John, The McDonaldization of the Church. Smyth & Helwys, 2001.
Engel J F & Dyrness, W A, Changing the Mind of Missions… InterVarsity Press, 2000.
Huntington, Samuel, The clash of Civilzations. Simon & Shuster, 1997.
Myers, Bryant, L., Walking with the Poor. Orbis, 1999.
O’Meara, et al, Globalization and the Challenges of a New Century… Indiana Univ. Press, 2000.
Ramachandra, Vinoth, Faiths in Conflict: Christian Integrity in Multicultural World. IVP, 1999.
Stackhouse/Dearborn/Paeth (eds.), The Local Church in a Global Era… Wm B Eerdmans, 2000.

ASSIGNMENTS:

Write and submit two 3-4 page reflection papers by stipulated deadlines.
1,450 pages of reading expected.
Provide a 1 page response paper based on the weekly reading list for class discussion and interaction.

Research and write a 20 page paper (excluding bibliography) that focuses on one of the following:

Ÿ Evaluating a local church or Christian institution and its response(s) to specific challenges of globalization in terms of fashioning new models of ministry
Ÿ Provides a detailed discussion of one dimension of globalization and explores a meaningful Christian perspective
Ÿ Examines contemporary mission trends in the light of specific global transformations

Th.M students will be required to submit a book review and write a 25 page paper demonstrating greater intellectual critique and analytical depth.

PREREQUISITES: None

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets globalization requirement for MAT program; elective in SWM.

FINAL EXAM: None.

Last Date Edited: March 26, 2003