MP521: Conversion, the Self, and Contemporary
Culture (4 units)
Wilbert R. Shenk, Professor of Mission History and
Contemporary Culture
Spring 2004 Pasadena
A
hallmark of contemporary culture is its emphasis on the autonomous self; but
this self is marked by alienation, anomie and insecurity. Conversion is basic
to Christian identity. If evangelization in contemporary culture is to be
effective, a model of conversion that is biblically informed and culturally
engaged is required. A multi-dimensional model will be used to explore
conversion in contemporary culture.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
Familiarity with
definitions and interpretations of the self in contemporary culture.
Awareness of biblical and historical models of conversion.
Formulation of a personal understanding of conversion in contemporary culture
The class meets two times per week for two hours.
Approximately half of class time will be devoted to lectures and special
presentations that explore the theme of the self in contemporary culture; the
other half will be spent in discussion of student presentations and assigned
readings.
REQUIRED READING:
A minimum of 1500 pages from the following books:
Kenneth J. Gergen, The Saturated
Self. Basic, 1992.
David Harvey, The Condition of Modernity. Blackwell, 1990.
Alan Kreider, The Change of Conversion
and the Origin of Christendom, Trinity Press, 1999.
Christopher Lasch, The Minimal Self. Norton, 1984.
Robert Wuthnow, After Heaven:
Spirituality in America Since the 1950s.
California, 2000.
This will be supplemented with journal articles.
Zygmunt Bauman, The Individualized Society, Polity, 2001.
Anthony Giddens, Modernity and
Self-Identity. Stanford, 1991.
Christopher Lasch, The Culture of
Narcissism. Norton, 1978.
1. Write journal reflections on assigned readings
and draw on this material in class discussions. The journaling is to be submitted at the end of the third, sixth,
and ninth weeks of the quarter and consist of approximately two pages per week.
2. Research and write a 3,500-word paper on an issue or theme involving the
concept of the self and develop its missiological importance.
3. Th.M. students: read 1,700 pages; and write a 4,000-word paper. This should demonstrate deeper theoretical
knowledge and ability to apply this to cultural analysis.
PREREQUISITES: None
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective
FINAL EXAMINATION: No
Last Date
Edited: January 20, 2004