MB520/620: Cultural Anthropology from a
Christian Perspective (4 units)
R. Daniel Shaw,
Professor of Anthropology and Translation
Winter 2007 Pasadena
DESCRIPTION:
This
course seeks to integrate anthropological principles and Christian witness. It
brings together anthropological theory and the student’s cultural experience in
an attempt to enable students to gain a deeper understanding of themselves in a
culturally diverse world. Course principles are then applied to the
transmission of the Christian message in order to encourage the transformation
of communities in any cultural context including urban settings.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
· Develop
greater understanding of the relevance of anthropological theory.
· Develop a
Christian perspective of anthropology and an anthropological perspective of
Christianity.
· Prepare
Intercultural workers to consciously employ cultural awareness in any
socio-religious context.
· Provide a
basis for the development of a culturally relevant gospel presentation.
COURSE FORMAT:
Class will meet once a week.
Lecture, videos, and small group presentations and class discussion will
provide a positive atmosphere for applying anthropological principles to the
students’ cross cultural experiences.
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.
Delaney, Carol. Investigating Culture. Blackwell, 2004.
Lingenfelter, S. G. & D. J. Hayward. “Christian Perspectives on
Anthropological Theories” 2005,
(onCDRom).
Shaw, R. D. From Longhouse to Village. Harcourt
Brace, 1995. Distributed by Thomson/Wadsworth.
Shaw, R.D. A Christian Perspective of
Anthropology: A Reader. Pasadena: FTS Bookstore, 2004.
A cultural ethnography of student’s choice from the library. Choose from the
more than 150 titles in the GN4 C37 section of the library.
RECOMMENDED READING: (On Library
Reserve—readings will be assigned from all)
Hiebert, Paul, Cultural Anthropology. Baker Books, 1983.
Kraft, Charles, Anthropology for Christian Witness. Orbis, 1996.
Shaw, R.D. Transculturation. William
Carey Library, 1988.
Pieterse, Jan
N., Globalization & Culture. Rowman & Littlefield, 2004.
Other Anthropology texts by Christian anthropologists: Nida, Customs and Cultures, 1953, Grunlan
& Mayers, Cultural Anthropology, 1988, Lingenfelter, Transforming Culture, 1998.
ASSIGNMENTS:
Reading will be
heavily weighted early in the course in order to allow reflection and
discussion during the remainder of the course. Students should get the
CDROM/Syllabus and Reader from the bookstore as early as possible and complete
the reading for the first week in order to be ready for the first class
meeting. Assigned reading groups will meet (outside of class) each week and
make at least one presentation connecting anthropological theory and missional
practice. Weekly reflection papers connecting course material to the students’
own cross cultural experiences, a reading log, response sheets to videos, and
two 2000 to 2500-word reports based on the two cultural ethnographies, will
provide opportunity for student evaluation throughout the course.
Th.M students add: A two-page paper (500-word) indicating how this course content fits into the conceptualization, research and writing for your writing project. Read one book in lieu of Yu that applies anthropological insight to the topic or region of the world in focus in the Thesis.
PREREQUISITES: 3 years of cross-cultural ministry experience that will provide the cultural input for evaluating anthropological issues for that cultural context.
RELATIONSHIP
TO CURRICULUM: Meets MAICS Core Competency and Min8 requirement. Especially
designed for students involved in ministry in cross-cultural or pluralist/urban
contexts.