MI510: Thinking Missiologically (4 units)

Wilbert Shenk, Professor of Mission History and Contemporary Culture
Spring 2004 Pasadena

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

As with every field of study, missiology has its particular focus, literature, and methods. To engage in missiological reflection requires appropriate tools and resources. This course introduces the student to these basic perspectives and tools. A special feature of the course is the use made of biographies of mission leaders that model effective missiological investigation, reflection, and action. The School of World Mission’s framework for missiological study—Word, Church, World—will be employed. Because effective missiology is developed interactively, opportunity will be given for collaboration in learning.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• Understanding of what distinguishes missiological thinking from other modes of discourse.
• Knowledge of basic missiological literature, key thinkers, and the development of mission studies.
• Ability to evaluate and integrate missiological reflection using the Word-Church-World triad

COURSE FORMAT:

The class combines introductory lectures on the main themes of missiology—with reference to representative missiologists. Small groups will present case studies of key figures in mission studies.

REQUIRED READING:

Read 1,500 pages from the following:

1. Gerald H. Anderson, et al., eds., Mission Legacies: Biographical Studies of Leaders of the Modern Mission Movement. Orbis Books, 1994.
2. Wilbert R. Shenk, ed. The Transfiguration of Mission. Herald, 1993.
3. Norman E. Thomas, ed., Classic Texts in Mission and World Christianity. Orbis Books,1995.
4. Jacob A. Loewen, Culture and Human Values. WCL, 1975.
5. A reader (on reserve) consisting of selected autobiographies from the IBMR "Pilgrimage in Mission" series and essays and excerpts by representative missiologists.
6. One book selected from the bibliography, “Basic Books in Missiology”, in the syllabus.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Charles R. Taber, To Understand the World, to Save the World: The Interface Between Missiology and the Social Sciences. Trinity Press International, 2000.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Three reading reports. Note schedule and instructions in the syllabus.
2. A 3,000-word paper on a significant missiological problem related to your ministry. An overall goal of the course is that the student be able to integrate learnings from all the work done thus far. The paper should demonstrate mastery of missiological methods, source materials and insights gained from the study of missiologists and the relevant literature. Follow SIS Style Guide.
3. The class will be divided into groups of 4-5 persons. Each group will select a missiologist from Mission Legacies or the “Pilgrimage in Mission” series (see “Case Studies: Missiologists”) and develop a presentation to be made to the class. A 2,000-word written summary of the group oral presentation should be submitted on day the report is given.
4. Th.M. students: read and write review of one additional book from Basic Books in Missiology list (total of 4 reviews); write a 3,750-word term paper.

PREREQUISITES: MA-CCS students should have completed 24 units of missiology.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: For MA-CCS meets core competency. For MA-ICS meets integration requirement.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

Last date edited: January 21, 2004.