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INTERNATIONAL MISSION & ECUMENISM CERTIFICATE (Pre-Approved Courses)

School

Boston University School of Theology

STHTH 702

Introduction to Global Christianity

BTI Category

Semester

Church History/History of Religions

FA26

This course introduces the history of Christianity as a world religion. It explores major turning points in the history of Christianity, from antiquity to the present. Selected thematic approaches highlight the historical interplay between local contexts and the self-consciousness of Christianity as global movement. As one of the core options for introduction to the history of Christianity, the course contents align with the key turning points, structure, and assignments in TH 701 History of Christianity.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Robert, Dana

TR

9:30-10:45 am, the class meets twice a week

Grading Option

Letter

Professor

3

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

Core class for IME Certificate

School

Harvard Divinity School

HDS 2121

Trends in World Christianity, 1900–2050

BTI Category

Semester

Church History/History of Religions

FA26

In 1900, 82% of all Christians in the world lived in Europe and North America (defined by the United Nations as the "global North") and 18% of Christians lived in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania ("global South"). However, by 2020, only 33% of Christians lived in the global North, and 67% lived in the global South. As a result, a "typical" Christian today is a woman of color living in the global South with lower-than-average socioeconomic status and physical safety. This represents a vastly different typical Christian than that of 100 years ago, who would have been a White affluent European. The demographic shift of World Christianity is poised to continue and has brought to the surface many long-standing tensions in Christian communities related to power, money, interpretation, and influence.This course covers past (twentieth century) and present (twenty-first century) trends in World Christianity from historical and social scientific perspectives. It explores many of the tensions in World Christianity today related to, for example, colonial/post-colonial realities, contextual theologies, race/racism, and global issues such as the climate crisis and religious freedom. This course has a particular focus on gender in World Christianity, where women make up the vast majority of churches worldwide yet are often denied leadership roles and decision-making opportunities. The course addresses topics unique to each continent (with a global South focus) as well as major Christian traditions -- Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, Independents, Evangelicals, and Pentecostals/Charismatics. Students will interact with relevant literature, debates, methods, and conversations in World Christianity studies and have the opportunity to write a research paper on a topic of their choice with professor approval.  

Professor

Class Day & Time

Zurlo

M

03:00pm-05:45pm

Grading Option

HDS Student Option (LG/SUS/AUD)

Professor

4

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary-Hamilton

WM662

NGOs and Development in Mission

BTI Category

Semester

Practical/Pastoral Theology

FA26

This course is an overview of the role of non governmental agencies (NGOs) and development in Christian mission. It covers biblical, theological, historical, and current perspectives on the global trend toward integration of development and mission. The course also looks at the role of globalization in the spread of the gospel. It examines plans made by Christians to alleviate social problems.              

Professor

Class Day & Time

Johnson, Todd

R

6-9pm

Grading Option

Letter, P/F, Audit

Professor

3

Online?

Y

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

School

Holy Cross Greek Orthodox

INDS 7110 H1

The Ecumenical Movement: Challenges and Opportunities

BTI Category

Semester

Interreligious Learning

FA26

The “Ecumenical Movement: Challenges and Opportunities” course follows but is not dependent on the previous course on the “Ecumenical Movement. The Ecumenical Movement has presented the church with several issues that have and continue to be addressed and wrestled with ranging from ecclesiology to the eucharist, initiation to ordination, worship, and liturgy. Ecumenical relations have presented opportunities to identify key points of theological and praxis convergence and divergence across the major denominations of Christianity. Many of these challenges will be explored alongside the numerous opportunities for Christians to work across denominational lines on social services and social justice actions. Attention will be paid to the work and documents of the National Council of Churches, with supplemental documents from the World Council of Churches.

Professor

Class Day & Time

Rev. Dr. Philip Joseph Halikias

TBA

TBA

Grading Option

Letter, P/F, Audit

Professor

3

Online?

N

Professor Approval Req'd?

N

Prerequisites?

N

Notes

N

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