Course

Churches in the Global South

Please note that this course has been cancelled.

Christianity is a growing religion in the world today. The contemporary growth of Christianity takes place most rapidly in the Global South. In our time, the majority of the world’s Christians live in the southern hemisphere. This course involves analyzing the development of Christian theology and the churches in Africa, Asia, and Latin America from postcolonial, missiological, and historical perspectives. In the course, the life of the churches is explored with a view to religious and cultural encounters, the emergence of contextual theologies, and the struggle for global justice. The course also involves studying the role of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity in the development of churches in the Global South.

At the end of the course the student is expected to:

  • demonstrate advanced knowledge about missiological and ecclesiological processes in the recent history of the Global South, and be able to analyze these processes by using various theories and methods;
  • show ability to analyze in critical and independent ways, and with regard to postcolonial perspectives, the role of religious and cultural encounters for the development of contextual theologies;
  • demonstrate advanced knowledge about the role of Pentecostal and Charismatic Christianity for the contemporary development of churches in the Global South.
  • demonstrate the ability to communicate, apply, and critically reflect on one’s acquired knowledge about the churches in the Global South.

Anderson, Allan, 2004, An Introduction to Pentecostalism: Global Charismatic Christianity. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press (302 p.)

Bevans, Steve, 2018, Essays in Contextual Theology. Leiden: Brill, 2018 (232 p.)

Hopkins, Dwight N., Antonio, Edward P. (eds.) Cambridge Companion to Black Theology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2012 (100 p. by selection)

Kwok, Pui-lan, 2005, Postcolonial Imagination and Feminist Theology, London: SCM Press (252 p.)

Rajkumar, Peniel, 2010, Dalit Theology and Dalit Liberation: Problems, Paradigms and Possibilities, Farnham: Ashgate (206 p.)

Ross, Kenneth R. et al. (eds.) Ecumenical Missiology: Changing Landscapes and New Conceptions of Mission. Oxford and Geneva: Regnum and WCC Publications, 2016 (250 p. by selection.)

Sanneh, Lamin, 2003, Whose Religion is Christianity? The Gospel beyond the West, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans (138 p.)

Tombs, David, 2002, Latin American Liberation Theology, Boston: Brill (334 p.)

Literature last revised on February 6, 2023.

Course Coordinator

Sara Gehlin

Teol. dr, Senior lecturer, Head of subject

sara.gehlin@ehs.se

Grades

A = Excellent, B = Very good, C = Good, D = Satisfactory, E = Sufficient, Fx = Insufficient, F = Insufficient

Examination Format

  • Papers
  • Seminars

See the second paragraph for times when the course is offered in English.

Kurser i teologi/religionsvetenskap, 120 hp, varav minst 15 hp kyrkohistoria på fördjupningsnivå, eller godkända kurser för en kandidatexamen i teologi/religionsvetenskap, 180 hp, där minst 150 hp utgörs av teologi/religionsvetenskap eller motsvarande. Dessutom kunskaper i svenska och engelska motsvarande kraven för grundläggande behörighet.

Courses in theology/religious studies, 120 credits, of which at least 15 credits are church history courses that require at least 60 credits in prerequisites, or approved courses for a bachelor's degree in theology/religious studies, 180 credits, where at least 150 credits consist of theology/religious studies or the equivalent. In addition, competency in Swedish and English corresponding to the requirements for basic eligibility. When the course is offered in English competency in Swedish is not required.

  • Completion of a course requires a minimum of 80% attendance at lectures and 100% attendance at seminars/group work and other assignments. Absence beyond that can be compensated by supplementing assignment(s) if the instructor finds it possible. In case of an absence of 50% or more, the course is considered as interrupted, even if assignments have been completed.
  • Students have the opportunity to take the exam according to the original course syllabus within two years after the course. If there are special reasons, such a re-examination can also take place later. Normally, teaching is not given according to an older syllabus. The possibility of exemption shall be decided by the president or vice president.
  • If a student due to disability has a decision from the EHS on special pedagogical support, the examiner shall, if necessary, adapt the examination and conduct the examination in an alternative way.

Established by Subject Representative College at Enskilda Högskolan Stockholm on January 20, 2023.