Objectives: The course will explore evangelization in contemporary cultures that might be described as secular, post-secular and of post-Christendom. It aims to help students understand more deeply the changing conditions of faith in many contemporary cultures, as well as to engage in theological and missiological reflection on possible missionary responses of the Church.

 Contents: The first part of the course will seek to understand the context of contemporary secular and post-secular cultures. Drawing on the thinking of Charles Taylor, Jose Casanova, and Hans Joas, among others, it will explore the different meanings of secularization; the collapse of Christendom; and the different forms of post-secular religiosity and spirituality. The second part will explore the possibilities of mission in these contexts. After studying the models of evangelization in the New Testament and reevaluating the notion of “pre-evangelization,” the themes of beauty, gift, and witness will be analyzed as possible paths for a renewed evangelization.

 Methodology: Lectures, in constant dialogue with the students.

Evaluation: Final paper.