Evangelii Gaudium, the 2013 apostolic exhortation of Pope Francis, seeks to renew the missionary dynamism of the Church. Francis says: I dream of a missionary option, that is, a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything (27); we must attempt to put all things in a missionary key (34) and always be missionary disciples (120). This course, employing a variety of films, examines central elements of the Churchs mission of evangelization today, with special emphasis on the vision of Pope Francis and the Asian context.
In addition to several key themes of the thought of Pope Francis, various Asian topics (with corresponding films) will be explored: Interfaith Dialogue in Asia, Social Witness and Development; Missionary Witnesses and Spirituality; Church in Contemporary China; Special Questions and Challenges.
The methodology of the course will employ a weekly film or documentary viewing, class discussion, and additional complementary theological/missiological input by the professor. Film reviews and relevant readings will be distributed. Students will be required to submit short reflection and synthesis papers.
