Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago
Course Profile
Course # and Title
Instructor:
CC 406 Buddhism and the Christian
______
Paul S. Chung
Semester/Year:
J-term 2015
Course Rationale and Description
(Why do we offer this course? Which of LSTC’s degree program learning outcomes does it address?):
The course undertakes an inquiry into Buddhist and Christian interaction with an emphasis upon
its necessity for contemporary theological construction. It introduces interreligious dialogue between
Christian theology and Buddhist religion, helping students to develop an ecumenical-global sense of
parish ministry and to articulate faith claims in an interfaith setting.
Course Learning Outcomes (Learners will be able to):
(What difference will this course make to students’ knowledge, skills, attitudes, and practices?)
At semester’s end, each student should
1. demonstrate a basic understanding of Buddhism and deepen the fundamental insights into
an interreligious dialogue for ministry in a multicultural context;
2. demonstrate knowledge and skill of interreligious dialogue through encountering various
scholarly contributions to the study of Buddhism;
3. show preparedness for Christian ministry and mission as prophetic dialogue in an interfaith
context.
Strategies for Learning):
(How shall we go about achieving these outcomes?)
The course includes lectures, discussion, writing, and presentation of reflection papers (based on reading
assignments) in the small group. For strategies for learning the students are required to write a one (or
two) page reflection paper for each session’s reading. Reflection papers and group discussions aim at
theologically promoting and articulating interfaith experience, knowledge, and practices in BuddhistChristian exchange. Through a hermeneutical reorientation, students deepen their understanding of faith
differences and similarities related to the contextualization of Christian narrative in encounter with the
spirituality and wisdom of Buddhism.
Assessment :
(How shall we know if we—students and instructors—have been successful in achieving the outcomes?)
Group discussion, reflection papers, a 45 minute in-class final exam, are major tools for us to know how
would be successful in achieving the outcomes.
________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Bibliography:
Text Title
Beyond Dialogue
Martin Luther and Buddhism
The Heart of the Buddha’s
Teaching
Author
Cobb, John B.Jr
Chung, Paul S.
Thich Nhat Hanh
ISBN# (Required)
Wipf and Stock
Wif and Stock
N.Y.:Broadway
Additional information:
DVD: On the Trails of World Religions: Buddhism (Include DVD Buddhism into your reflection paper
and submit it by the end of the course).
3/01
th
1100 East 55 Street * Chicago, IL 60615-5199 * 773-256-0700