In 1900, Europe and North America housed 80% of the world’s Christians; by 2000, this figure had shifted, with 60% residing in the global south and east. To comprehend this “seismic shift of Christianity”—an ongoing transition from the past century—we must delve into the internal dynamics of Christian movements outside the West. This course offers an introduction to the role of Western missionaries, the influence of indigenous Christians, and pivotal themes and patterns in the emergence of global Christianity, especially the way Christian teachings both resonate with and challenge local contexts.

The encounter between Christianity and Marxism in the twentieth century marks a defining moment in human society. As a dominant form of secularism, Marxism posed serious intellectual challenges to Christianity, inspiring many revolutionaries to display militant opposition to institutional religions, particularly Christianity. This course explores this complex relationship, beginning with an examination of Marxism’s fundamentals and its critique of religion. We will then delve into world Christianity’s multifaceted response to Marxism within diverse social, cultural, and political contexts. 

This first half of the two-semester sequence explores the history of Christianity from the first to the fourteenth centuries, delving into significant ideas, persons, movements, and institutions. The course highlights the broad scope of Christian thought, practice, institutional dynamics, and leadership to determine how contextual factors shaped and tested Christian decision-making and subsequently influenced the development of Christianity. Special focus will be given to the involvement of women in the Christian movement and the historical manifestation of Christianity in non-Western regions. 

This second half of the two-semester sequence charts the development of Christianity from the fifteenth century to modern times. This course delves into pivotal ideas, influential figures, key movements, and foundational institutions that have shaped Christianity. Emphasis is placed on how various contextual elements have influenced Christian decision-making and, in turn, Christianity’s development. A special focus will be directed towards the roles of women in the Christian movement and the expression of Christianity in non-Western contexts, providing an introduction to its diverse and global impact.

This class offers a historical introduction to China—a country of oriental fascination and geopolitical rivalry—from the late nineteenth century to the present. Beginning with the required Anthology, we will scrutinize popular American perceptions of China, interpret a plethora of films and writings, and culminate in a comparative study of U.S. and Chinese cultures. The majority of class materials consist of films supplemented by historical readings. Prior knowledge about China and the Chinese language is advantageous but not presumed. 

A survey of the Christian canon of scripture from the history of the Hebrew people through growth of the New Testament church movement. This rendition of the seminar aims to achieve two key objectives: 1) Introducing the Old and New Testaments as a cohesive narrative, depicting God’s initiative in redeeming and renewing the entire creation; 2) exploring the majority world’s reception of the Bible, reflecting Christianity’s gravitational shift to the global south.