CURRICULUM/PEDAGOGY

While a number of scholars at institutions in Asia and North America are attempting to more effectively engage Asian contexts and theologies, they sometimes feel isolated from others who are share their concerns, frustrated by the lack of resources, and constrained by the weight of traditional Euro-American curricular models. We agree with our colleagues in the other groups that it is critical to develop and publish new resources, to develop a new generation of scholars with fresh ideas about the theological curriculum, and to collaborate across institutions in order to achieve those goals. The proposals from the working group on publications and resources, the Web site proposed by the collaboration group, and the proposal to refocus or broaden the focus of IASACT to develop new curricular models and pedagogies (something like a Wabash Center for Asia) will greatly facilitate the development of new pedagogies and curricula.

This group proposed ideas directly related to teaching that can intersect with proposals from the other groups:

• establish Web-based and e-mail collaborations among scholars by discipline
• post syllabi that could be downloaded, or consulted
• use the Internet to create partnerships for guest lectures online  
• establish cross-Pacific courses, co-taught by faculty and involving students in Asia and in North America, using Internet technologies
• share/develop resources and strategies using the Web site to be established in Bangalore: strategies for cross-Pacific partnerships;  strategies for evaluation; strategies for effective team teaching; reflections on when and how to effectively use interdisciplinary teaching; examples of new teaching strategies, etc.
• Develop more primary sources in English (folk tales, early sources, etc.).  to be posted on the Web site for downloading
• arrange for a GTU faculty member to attend the upcoming Association of Theological Schools in Indonesia (PERSETIA) consultation on interdisciplinary curriculum
• focus on developing the next generation of theological teacher/scholars by changing or expanding the focus of IASACT, or programs held in association with IASACT 
• GTU member schools work to coordinate their international immersions and cross-cultural field education
• plan and convene a focused consultation on cultural pedagogical styles and evaluation: developing methods of multiple assessment
  

In the coming year, the GTU Asia/Oceania Partnerships Steering Committee will establish and distribute a work plan for the above proposals, and act as a communications hub to facilitate collaborative action.

Asian Participants:

• Professor K. C. Abraham, United Theological College, Bangalore, India
• Professor Heup Young Kim, Theology, Kangnam University, Seoul, Korea
• Professor Choon Seo Koo, Theology, Hanil University and Theological Seminary, Seoul, Korea
• Professor Simon Kwan, Contextual Theology, Divinity School of Chung Chi College, Chinese University of Hong Kong
• Mr. Hung-chuan Lai, GTU Doctoral Student in Biblical Studies (Taiwan)
• Rev. Osamu Mimura, Ecumenism, Tomisaka Christian Center, Niigata, Japan
• Professor Koichi Mori, Church History, School of Theology, Doshisha University, Kyoto, Japan
• Professor Anri Morimoto, Religion and Theology, International Christian University, Tokyo, Japan
• President Taifailematagi Muasau, Church History, Kanana Fou Theological Seminary, American Samoa
• Professor Daniel Nuhamara, Religious Education, Satya Wacana Christian University, Salatiga, lndonesia
• Professor Rini Ralte, Feminist/Womanist Liberation Theology, United Theological College, Bangalore, India
• Professor Tessa Rosana, Theology and Culture, Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights, The Philippines, Asia Convener of Asia/Oceania Partnerships
• Rev. Nancy Souisa, Executive Director, PERSETIA, Contextual Theology, Jakarta, Indonesia
  
  

GTU Participants:

• Professor C. S. Song, Theology and Asian Cultures, Pacific School of Religion at GTU, Founding Director, GTU Asia/Oceania Partnerships
• Professor Tito Cruz, Academic Dean and Executive Vice President, Theology and Education, Franciscan School of Theology at GTU, Current Director, GTU Asia/Oceania Partnerships
• Professor Mai-Anh Le Tran, Religious Education and Asian American Culture, Pacific School of Religion at GTU, Current Co-Director of GTU Asia/Oceania Partnerships
• Professor Judith Berling, Chinese and Comparative Religions, GTU
• Professor Emeritus Marvin Chaney, Hebrew Exegesis and Old Testament, San Francisco Theological Seminary at GTU
• James A, Donahue, President and Professor of Ethics, Graduate Theological Union
• Arthur G. Holder, Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs and John Dillenberger Professor of Christian Spirituality, GTU
• Professor Kah-jin Jeffrey Kuan, Old Testament, Pacific School of Religion at GTU
• Professor Boyung Lee, Educational Ministries, Pacific School of Religion at GTU
• Professor Benny Tat-siong Liew, New Testament, Pacific School of Religion at GTU
• Professor Fumitaka Matsuoka, Theology, Pacific School of Religion at GTU
• Professor Eugene Eung-Chun Park, New Testament, San Francisco Theological Seminary at GTU
• Professor Randi Walker, Church History, Pacific School of Religion at GTU
• Professor Philip Wickeri, Evangelism and Mission, San Francisco Theological Seminary at GTU
• Yeara Ahn-Park, Program Assistant, GTU Asia/Oceania Partnerships