Content

This unit introduces students to the field of cultural anthropology by describing the nature of culture and outlining various anthropological theories of culture and society. It examines human beings within the context of their social systems, relationships, economies, political institutions, religions, rituals, objects, activities and the meanings that people apply to them. Furthermore, it introduces methods for investigating and understanding culture and worldview, the relationship between Christianity and culture and it emphasises the importance of cultural investigation and understanding for fruitful intercultural encounters and ministry.

Unit code: DM2011W

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 2

Unit discipline: Missiology

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Whitley College

Show when this unit is running

Learning outcomes

1.

Outline the role of Cultural Anthropology in cross-cultural interaction and engagement

2.

Articulate an understanding the main theories of culture

3.

Identify perspectives on culture held by different religious and cultural communities

4.

Outline biblical approaches to intercultural engagement

Pedagogy

Lectures, Tutorials

Indicative Bibliography

  • Bevans, Stephen. Mission and Culture: The Louis J. Luzbetak Lectures, 2000-2010. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 2012.
  • Barnes, Alan. History And Theory In Anthropology. Cambridge: Cambridge: University Press, 2000.
  • Geertz, Clifford. The Interpretation of Cultures. New York: Basic Books, 1973.
  • Grau, Marion. Rethinking Mission in the Postcolony: Salvation, Society and Subversion. London: T&T Clark, 2011.
  • Haviland, W., and Prins, H., and Walrath, D., and McBride, B. Cultural Anthropology: The Human Challenge. 12th ed. Belmont: Thomson Wadsworth, 2008. (recommended for purchase)
  • Hiebert, Paul. Anthropological Reflections on Missiological Issues. Grand Rapids: Baker, 1994.
  • Howell, Brian M., and Paris, Jenell W. Introducing Cultural Anthropology: A Christian Perspective. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2011. (recommended for purchase)
  • Kraft, C H. Anthropology for Christian Witness. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1999. (recommended for purchase)
  • Kuper, Adam. Anthropology and Anthropologists. The Modern British School. London: Routledge, 2006.
  • Loewen, Jacob. Culture and Human Values: Christian Intervention in Anthropological Perspective. Pasedena: William Carey Library, 1975.
  • Luzbetak, L J.* The Church and Cultures: New Perspectives in Missiological Anthropology*. Maryknoll: Orbis Books, 1988.
  • Moreau, A. Scott., and Campbell, Evvy Hay., and Greener, Susan. Effective Intercultural Communication: A Christian Perspective, Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2014.
  • Morris, Brian. Religion and Anthropology. A Critical Introduction, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2006.
  • Rynkiewich, Michael. Soul, Self and Society: A Postmodern Anthropology for Mission in a Postcolonial World. Eugene, OR: Cascade, 2012.
  • Taber, Charles. The World is Too Much With Us: Culture in Modern Protestant Missions. Macon: Mercer University Press, 2000.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Essay

2,500 word essay

2500 40.0
Book Review

500 word book/article review

500 15.0
Essay

500 word Descriptive Exercise

500 15.0
Tutorial Paper/Seminar Paper

1,000 word tutorial paper

1000 30.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 11 Aug, 2016

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-26 17:01:27 +1100