UNIVERSITY OF KENT
Confirmation that this version of the module specification has been approved by the School Learning and
Teaching Committee:
…………… A. Stähler, 12 NOV 2014…………….(date)
MODULE SPECIFICATION
1.
Title of the module
TH638/TH639 Global Christianities
2.
School or partner institution which will be responsible for management of the module SECL
(Religious Studies)
3.
Start date of the module
January 2016
4.
The number of students expected to take the module
15-30
5.
Modules to be withdrawn on the introduction of this proposed module and consultation with
other relevant Schools and Faculties regarding the withdrawal
None. This is a new module.
6.
The level of the module (e.g. Certificate [C], Intermediate [I], Honours [H] or Postgraduate [M])
I (TH638) and H (TH639)
7.
The number of credits and the ECTS value which the module represents
30 credits (15 ECTS)
8.
Which term(s) the module is to be taught in (or other teaching pattern)
Autumn or Spring
9.
Prerequisite and co-requisite modules
Any year 1 RS module, such as TH325, TH332, TH333, TH334, TH342, or any other module from
Religious Studies
10. The programmes of study to which the module contributes
BA in Religious Studies (SH and JH Religious Studies)
11. The intended subject specific learning outcomes
By the end of the module, I and H students will have:
1. understanding of what it means to approach Christianity as a field of anthropological study,
and awareness of why the development of the anthropology of Christianity has been a recent
development within the discipline of anthropology
2. acquired critical appreciation of the principal theoretical debates in anthropological and
sociological study of global Christianities, e.g. globalization and localization, processes of
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conversion (in terms of individuals and larger social groups), relations between Christianity
and modernity
3. developed the ability to analyse the interrelations between different global forms of
Christianity
4. developed understanding of representative forms of contemporary global Christianities in
their historical, political, and economic contexts
5. acquired critical understanding of the principal empirical methodologies used within
anthropological and sociological approaches to global Christianities, and the ethical, political
and epistemological implications of these methods
6. learnt how to approach the study of global Christianities through phenomenological,
hermeneutic and genealogical methods
In addition, at the end of the module, students at level H will have:
7. an appreciation of the nature of uncertainty and limits of knowledge in relation to social
scientific approaches to religion
8. a systematic understanding of the main debates in the discipline, including familiarity with the
latest research in the anthropology of Christianity
9. the necessary skills in using contemporary research methodologies at the cutting edge of
anthropological, sociological and religious studies disciplines
10. the ability to devise and sustain arguments demonstrating critical analysis of core social
scientific texts on global Christianities
11. the ability to make sophisticated use of refereed research in leading journals and other
original materials
12. The intended generic learning outcomes
By the end of the module I and H students will have:
1. enhanced their ability to communicate orally and work collaboratively through class
presentations
2. developed writing and organizing skills
3. demonstrated competence in the use of appropriate IT resources, including word processing
and critical evaluation of online material
4. analysed theories in terms of their relevance to contemporary contexts and debates
5. the ability to analyse key texts critically (both primary and secondary)
In addition, H level students will be able to:
6. demonstrate greater independence in applying the methods and techniques they have
learned, for example, by developing and carrying out research projects of their own design
7. reflect critically on their own academic work
8. present cogent arguments in both oral and written form that are accessible to both specialist
and nonspecialist audiencesmake judgments about how to frame appropriate questions to
achieve a solution or identify a range of solutions
13. A synopsis of the curriculum
This module will examine the theme ‘Global Christianities’ through the lenses of the anthropology of
Christianity and the sociology of religion. We will explore the ways in which we can see Christianity
as a cultural product, and how Christianity has shaped different cultures and societies globally, as
well as how the religion has been shaped by and through encounters in different local settings. We
will look at the history of the globalization of Christianity, and consider the historical, political and
economic effects of local missionary encounters. The course will examine the processes of
conversion to Christianity in different contexts, both at the level of individual and broader social
group, and how these have been understood in relation to concepts of ‘modernity’.
The course will draw attention to the relatively recent emergence of the anthropology of Christianity
in relation to the broader disciplines of anthropology as a discrete area of study and how this relates
to the study of Christianity as a global phenomenon within sociology. We will consider the ways in
which these disciplines have constructed and objectified ‘religion’ as an object of study in ways that
has historically occluded the social scientific study of Christianity in different global contexts.
The course will address some of the main debates in the anthropology of Christianity, deepening
understanding of global Christianities through exploring studies of Christian cultures in diverse
ethnographic contexts. The topics addressed will include: culture and conversion; globalization and
localization; interrelations between Christianity, subjectivity and language; embodied and emotional
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UNIVERSITY OF KENT
forms of different Christianities; concepts and experiences of God; mediation, immanence and
transcendence; coherence and fragmentation; gender, sexuality and the family. Through engaging
with readings on these areas, we will explore the socio-religious power-dynamics of Christianity in
relation to both culturally dominant and marginal traditions.
14. Indicative Reading List
Coleman, Simon. 2000. The Globalisation of Charismatic Christianity: Spreading the Gospel of
Prosperity, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
Engelke, Matthew. 2007. A Problem of Presence: Beyond Scripture in an African Church, Berkeley:
University of California Press.
Harding, Susan Friend. 2000.The Book of Jerry Falwell: Fundamentalist Language and Politics,
Princeton: Princeton University Press.
Keane, Webb. 2007. Christian Moderns: Freedom and Fetish in the Mission Encounter, Berkeley:
University of California Press.
Luhrmann, Tanya. 2012. When God Talks Back: Understanding the American Evangelical
Relationship with God, New York: Vintage.
Marshall, Ruth. 2009. Political Spiritualities: The Pentecostal Revolution in Nigeria, Chicago:
University of Chicago Press.
Robbins, Joel. 2004. Becoming Sinners: Christianity and Moral Torment in a Papua New Guinea
Society, Berkeley: University of California Press.
15. Learning and Teaching Methods, including the nature and number of contact hours and the
total study hours which will be expected of students, and how these relate to achievement of
the intended module learning outcomes
The module will be taught on the basis of a one-hour lecture and two-hour seminar (students split as
numbers dictate) for ten weeks (30 class contact hours). Students will be offered the standard 15
minute feedback session on mid-term work.
Total contact hours: 30
Total Study Hours: 300
(A) Lecture. The lecture will mainly provide context, introduce issues and summarize key points on
the week’s theme, drawing attention to critical and comparative issues and suggest further readings.
There will be some discussion and small group work, in order to present students with a context for
discussion. The format will allow students to engage with complex theoretical debates and issues on
an interactive basis and to become family with new terminology.
Learning outcomes – I and H Level: 11.1-5, 12.1, 3, 5; H Level: 11.8
(B) The seminar / workshop will consist of a one-hour student-led discussion on the week’s reading
and reflections on the lecture, followed by a one-hour workshop to test out key ideas through small
group discussion and practical exercises. The seminar will be students’ main opportunity to discuss
the material and correct misunderstandings. The seminar will also allow students to test their
understandings orally and whether they are able to present the issues well to each other.
Learning outcomes – I and H Level: 11.1-6, 12.1-5; H Level: 11.7-11, 12.6-8
(C) Study Time and Online Learning. In addition to group work in lectures and seminars, students
will be advised to do the following in their study time so as to achieve all the learning outcomes:
(i) complete the seminar reading – normally the relevant part of the text and associated readings
recommended by the lecturer or which they have found themselves;
(ii) discuss the reading with each other away from the seminar via the moodle discusson forum or ad
hoc study groups; and
(iii) plan, draft and write their essays and critical reflection assignments.
Learning outcomes – I and H Level: 11.1-6 and 12.1-5; H Level: 11.7-11 and 12.6-9.
16. Assessment methods and how these relate to testing achievement of the intended module
learning outcomes
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Assessment will be through an essay, three critical reflection assignments, and an open book take
home written paper. These will help students develop expected knowledge outcomes and requisite
generic skills of independent study and critical examination.
(A) Essay (25% weighting) – 2000 words - summative assessment.
Learning Outcomes – I and H Level: 11.1-6, 12.3,5; H Level: 11.7-11, 12.6-9. In order to
differentiate between the two levels at which the module is operating, level H students will be
expected to show a wider research ability and demonstrate a stronger critical analysis of the material
than their counterparts at level I. Level I and H students will have to choose their essay questions
from different sets of questions.
(B) 3 x 1000 word critical reflection assignments (45% weighting) – formative and summative
assessment and peer evaluation.
Learning Outcomes – I and H Level: 11.1-6, 12.1-5; H Level: 11.7-11, 12.6-9
These assessments, submitted via Moodle, will contribute to improving the quality of the student’s
essay and exam by providing written and oral feedback about the style and content of the students
critical engagement with a topic, allowing the convenor or seminar leader to discuss the weaknesses
and strengths of the critical reflection, as well as suggestions for future progress. In addition to
feedback from the convenor, students will also receive peer feedback.
(C) Take-home, open book written paper (30% weighting) – summative assessment
Learning Outcomes – I and H Level: 11.1-6, 12.2,3,5; H level 11.8-11, 12.7
Questions will vary, but may include questions about theoretical debates, contributions of particular
scholars, or disciplinary and methodological approaches to the study of global Christianities. I and H
Level students will be set two different sets of questions that will test analytical abilities at the
relevant level.
17. Implications for learning resources, including staff, library, IT and space
As the anthropology of Christianity is a new area of specialism, some new library resources will be
required for this course (other texts are already available in the library).
18. The School recognises and has embedded the expectations of current disability equality legislation,
and supports students with a declared disability or special educational need in its teaching. Within
this module we will make reasonable adjustments wherever necessary, including additional or
substitute materials, teaching modes or assessment methods for students who have declared and
discussed their learning support needs. Arrangements for students with declared disabilities will be
made on an individual basis, in consultation with the University’s disability/dyslexia support service,
and specialist support will be provided where needed.
19. Campus(es) where module will be delivered:
Canterbury
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