Jehu J. Hanciles, Associate Professor of Mission
History and Globalization
Spring 2006 Pasadena
DESCRIPTION:
This course serves as a core competency or foundational module for
mission studies and introduces the student to historical methods and research
(including mission historiography). It focuses on the significance of history
as a dimension of human experience, a primary component in theological
reflection, and a functional element in the 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: The
student will acquire:
• some understanding of approaches to historical
research and writing,
• a working historical knowledge
and missiological understanding of the growth of the Christian church into a
worldwide phenomenon,
• an appreciation of the habits
of mind and study that 1) facilitate the critical examination of historical
material and 2) foster meaningful evaluation of contemporary challenges in
mission and the ministry of the Church.
COURSE FORMAT: Class meets twice a week in two hour periods for ten weeks. At least thirty minutes of each session will be devoted to class discussion of recommended readings and/or student presentations.
REQUIRED READING: If you have
previously read any of the required texts, please select an alternative text
from the recommended reading list or a book approved by the instructor.
Goodpasture, H. McKennie, Cross and
Sword: An Eyewitness History…. Orbis, 1989.
Hastings, Adrian, A World History of Christianity. Eerdmans, 1999.
Neil, Stephen, A History of Christian Missions.
Penguin, 1990.
Ross,
Andrew C., A Vision Betrayed: The Jesuits in Japan and China, 1542-1742.
Orbis, 1994.
Walls, Andrew F, The Cross-Cultural Process in Christian
History. Orbis, 2002.
Hanciles, Jehu J. Euthanasia of a Mission. Praeger, 2002.
Poewe, Karla (ed.), Charismatic Christianity as a Global Culture. Univ.
of S. Carolina Press, 1994.
Sanneh/Carpenter (eds.), The Changing
Face of Christianity: Africa, the West, and the World, 2005.
Shenk, Wilbert R., Changing Frontiers of Mission. Orbis, 1999.
Shenk, Wilbert R. (ed.), Enlarging the Story:
Perspectives on Writing World Christian History. Orbis, 2002.
Shenk, Wilbert R. (ed.), North American Foreign Missions, 1810-1914.
Eerdmans, 2004.
Stanley, Brian (ed.), Christian Missions and the Enlightenment.
Eerdmans, 2001.
• Read at least 1200 pages from required and recommended books.
• Write and submit six
(250-word) reflection papers based on stipulated readings as required.
• Write and submit two
(750-1000 word) research papers by stipulated deadlines.
• Submit one (500-750
word) final paper proposal with a focus on pertinent themes, issues, movement,
etc.
• Write a 3750-5000 word
final paper (excluding bibliography) based on research proposal.
• (Th.M. students will
write a review of a book related to the course and submit a 5000-6250 word
final paper).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO
CURRICULUM: Core Course for MAICS.
FINAL EXAM: None.
** Students are advised that the details
of these assignments are subject to last minute change.
Last
Date Edited: January 11, 2006