Case
Study Procedures
Prior
to the class period in which we discuss the case:
1.
Read the case carefully to become thoroughly acquainted with all
of the details under consideration. Be sure to identify the theological
issue(s) in the case.
2.
Construct a rough time line of the events that led to the situation
being considered (simply draw or write it out in your book)
3.
Using a high lighter, identify all of the significant characters
in the case.
4.
Decision(s) faced (front of worksheet): what decision does is the
person being asked to make? Include any contextual specifics of
relevance (i.e., important factors in the immediate context of the
case study such as deadlines, impending dangers, etc.);
5.
Phenomenological analysis (front of worksheet):
a.
From the insider's and, when appropriate, the cross-cultural
worker's perspectives, what folk religious issues come from each
of the six dimensions of religion (see Case
Studies Supplement), and how might they affect the decision-making
process?
b.
Especially in the social dimension, what cultural and
institutional pressures are present in the social institutions?
For the institutional pressures, refer to the Case
Studies Supplement.
6.
Ontological analysis: relevant scriptural guidelines (back of worksheet):
a.
What are the most significant and relevant
scriptural texts, principles, case studies, and guidelines which
must be weighed in the decision-making process? List ideas together
with appropriate biblical references. You should have at least
five references, with at least 2 from the Old Testament.
b.
Are there non-Scriptural principles which are being promoted as
Scriptural? What are they, and why are they inappropriate?
7.
Identify what you consider to be the one best solution (back of
worksheet). For that solution, propose
a.
What the solution is and
b.
How that solution may be implemented, involving a specific course
of action (how the main character in the case study would implement
the proposed solution). This course of action should accord with
scriptural principles, be culturally sensitive, and focus on the
central issue(s) of the case.
During
class time . . .
I will
use a variety of methods to split you into groups and discuss the
case. You may write corrections, clarifications, new thoughts, etc.
on your Worksheet, but write them in a different color from your
pre-class work.
After
class . . .
And
before the next class session, write a brief post-discussion
report (maximum of 500 words) noting what you learned under
the following three headings:
Section
I. What I Learned about Folk Religions
What
insights did you gain or were reinforced in this case study about
the process of understanding folk religions? How does culture
interfere and/or enhance our approaches to thinking about practical
folk religion issues? When cultures or values clash, how might
our religious convictions or practices change as a result?
Section
II. What I Learned about Applying Folk Religions Theory to Live
Settings
How
does the theory and discussion in the course notes and class apply
to the settings seen in the case studies? What theory(ies) or
idea(s) did you find particularly helpful in this case? You may
also consider which of the dimensions of religion has the most
relevance for your study and why.
Section
III. What I Learned about Myself
This
should include both positive and negative lessons. Did you see
how your own response is intertwined with your cultural values?
Did you see evidence of flexibility? Did you find yourself compromising
too easily? How did you handle the tensions between truth and
relationships? What type of role(s) did you play in your group
(initiator, respondent, facilitator, peace-maker, conflict initiator
or evader, etc.)? On your original solution, what did you propose
that would help develop trust?
At the
start of the following week's class session, turn in your worksheet
and your post-discussion report (in 1st person). Note
that I will be looking for evidence that you know both your weaknesses
and strengths.
