Christianity in Asia

Course Description

This course allows students to engage with primary sources (both missionary and indigenous) that will enable them to interpret the varied fortunes of Christianity as an increasingly important minority religion in Asia in the period since 1700. An integrating theme will be the attempts of missions and churches to throw off the association of Christianity with the West. Another consistent focus will be the relationship of Christianity to the majority religious traditions.

Course Objectives

On completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a secure grasp of the main trends shaping the varied history of the churches in Asian contexts.
2. Engage sensitively with the complex issues of identity often faced by Christians in Asia.
3. Interact constructively and critically with contemporary Asian theologies.
4. Interpret with insight and discrimination relevant primary sources on Asian Christian history and theology.