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Disrupting a Single Chronological Narrative to Teach a More Racially Just and Ethnically Inclusive History of Christianity in the United States
Learning Abstract :
My project implements a pedagogical approach that devotes serious and sustained attention to the diverse and global components of American Christianity from African American, Asian American, European American, Latinx American, and Native American persons and communities in an American church history survey course. In my research of existing textbooks and course syllabi in my field, I found most employ a single chronological narrative that either ignores or minimizes the presence and contributions of Christians of color such that they appear as supporting actors narrowly defined by their experiences of oppression and discrimination within a larger white story. In my survey course, I utilized race and ethnicity as organizing themes to provide a more inclusive learning experience in which the history of each racial and ethnic Christian group radiates with clarity and fullness so that my students more fully engaged the experiences and ministries of the many congregations that worship in this country.
My project implements a pedagogical approach that devotes serious and sustained attention to the diverse and global components of American Christianity from African American, Asian American, European American, Latinx American, and Native American persons and communities in an American church history survey course. In my research of existing textbooks and course syllabi in my field, I found most employ a single chronological narrative that either ignores or minimizes the presence and contributions of Christians of color such that they appear as supporting actors narrowly defined by their experiences of oppression and discrimination within a larger white story. In my survey course, I utilized race and ethnicity as organizing themes to provide a more inclusive learning experience in which the history of each racial and ethnic Christian group radiates with clarity and fullness so that my students more fully engaged the experiences and ministries of the many congregations that worship in this country.