SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
CHANG JUNG CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY
Methods in Social Analysis
"….read the Bible in one hand, and the newspaper in the other"
Karl Barth
Fall 2008-09
Office Hours: Room 2605
Thursdays 10:10-12:10
Room L10601
Wednesdays 15.30- 17.00
Thursdays 13.30- 14-30
Statement of Purpose:
Christian Theology assumes that the construction of relevant ministerial practices is
not possible without acquiring a critical knowledge of society. Thus, the place of
social analysis in Theology is likened to the place of a diagnosis in medical practices.
This course is aimed at providing primary tools to students of theology on social
analysis methodologies. We will limit our primary objectives to two goals: One),
to introduce various methods of social analysis, and two), to critically evaluate the
global society of our present time. It is expected that the evaluation of the present
society will help us to locate the appropriate models of ministry.
Statement of Procedure and Expectations
(1)
Classes will be organized with lectures, occasional seminar presentations, and group
discussions. It is expected that all participants will maintain regular attendance, participate
actively in all class discussions, and read critically all the assigned texts.
(2)
A paper (approximately 5 pages) on any social issues of the contemporary global society.
You may select a topic (such as ecological issues, poverty, racism, identity questions, issues
of aboriginal communities, gender discrimination) in consultation with the instructor. Paper is
due on 18th of December.
(3)
Each member of the class is expected to join in a group to make a group presentation in the
class.
There shall be 4 presentations (1) Globalization (2) Ecological Crises (3) Gender
Justice (4) Aboriginal Questions
(4)
Grades. The final grade will be based upon (a) class attendance and class participation
(20%), (b) Group presentation (20%), (c) Final paper (30%), and (d) the Final Examination
(30%)
Readings:
A folder containing several articles pertaining to the topics will be placed in the department
office. You are also encouraged to search for Chinese language articles for respective topics.
SCHEDULE OF PRESENTATIONS, READINGS
September 18
Introduction. Why do we need Social Analysis….relation between theology and social
analysis
Read: Huang Po Ho No Longer a Stranger (Thiruvalla: CSS Books, 2007) Chapter 1.
September 25
Different approaches in Social analysis, Framework of analysis
Read: Peter Henriot, S.J.
“Social Analysis: A Practical Methodology”
http://www.ibiblio.org/ahkitj/wscfap/arms1974/Regl_womens_prog/SA_WLP/social_analysis.htm
October 2
Sociological theories in Social analysis- Durkheim, Weber
Emile Durkheim. The Elementary Forms of the Religious Life (New York: The Free Press, 1965)
pp. 37-63.
Max Weber.
October 9
The Sociology of Religion (Boston: Beacon Press, 1963) pp. 207-245.
Evolutionary theory and Functionalist theory
Alvin Y So Social Change and development (Newbury Park: Sage, 1990) pp.17-27
October 16
Economic analysis, Adam Smith, Marx
C. T. Kurien The Economy: An Interpretative Introduction (London: Sage Publications, 1992)
pp. 111- 209
October 23
Development ideologies
Alvin Y So Social Change and development (Newbury Park: Sage, 1990) pp.38-60
October 30
Dependency theory- World system analysis
Alvin Y So Social Change and development (Newbury Park: Sage, 1990) pp.91-200
November 6
Gender analysis
Group Presentation 1- Topic – Gender Discrimination- the case of Taiwan
“What is gender Analysis” Canadian International development
November 13
Race and Aboriginal issues.
Group Presentation 2- Topic Aboriginal Issues in Taiwan- What should be the responsibility of Church
in Aboriginal issues
David R. Roediger, ed., Black on White: Black Writers on What it Means to be White . Random
House, 1998.
Peggy McIntosh, "Male Privilege and White Privilege". No. 189, Journal for Research on Women,
1980 Wellesley College Bible (RSV version)
November 20
Understanding Global Society- History of Colonialism
Jürgen Osterhammel, Colonialism: A Theoretical Overview, Princeton, NJ: M. Wiener, 1997.
November 27
Understanding Globalization
Group Presentation 3 - Understanding Globalization – role of churches in the globalized society
Martin Khor “Global Economy and the Third World” Jerry Mander and Edward Goldsmith (eds.)
The Case Against the Global Economy (San Francisco: Sierra Club Books, 1996) pp. 47-59
M. P. Joseph “Myth of Globalization; Rule of Capital to Apartheid of Resources” Theologies
and Cultures December 2006
Wolfgang R. Schmidt “Globalization- Universality – Utopia” Theologies and Cultures,
November 2004
Documentary- “An Inconvenient Truth”
December 4
December 11
Ecology and environmental issues.
Group Presentation 4 - Ecological Issues- Churches response
Rogate R. Mshana Poverty, Wealth and Ecology and their links
(Geneva: WCC, 2008)
Michael Northcott “Anthropogenic Climate Change: The Moral and Theological Case for
Environmental Rights” Theologies and Cultures June 2007
December 18
Growth of Poverty and Violence
Jeffrey D. Sachs The End of Poverty: Economic Possibilities for our Time (New York: The
Penguin Press, 2005) pp. 5-73
Rogate R. Mshana Poverty, Wealth and Ecology and their links
December 25
(Geneva: WCC, 2008)
Christmas – no class
January 1
New Year – no class
January 8
Understanding mission in the globalized world
Po Ho Huang From Galilee to Tainan (Tainan: ATESEA, 2005) pp. 169-178
January 15
Final Examination