Cross-Cultural Media Communication

This course examines the importance of culture and worldview in an increasingly multicultural world, and will give special attention to “reading” a city in preparation for service. It explores cultural diversity and the necessary skills for identifying the traits of different cultures (including the student’s own) in order to equip them to effectively interact with people of other cultures as they seek to fulfill the Great Commission and do their part to extend the kingdom of God among all nations.

Cultural Anthropology
This course is an introduction to the social science known as cultural anthropology. Readings, films, websites, lectures, reports, and an exam provide a survey of vocabulary, concepts, and illustrations related to this branch of anthropology. Class lectures, outside reading, and films provide more in-depth case studies on the Near East Bedouin, Western Apache, and Old Order Amish, among others.

Practical Anthropology
This course introduces cultural anthropology with special attention to the application of an anthropological perspective to Christian mission. Students learn to examine the framework of beliefs, assumptions, values, and behaviors that shape peoples’ lives, in order to be more effective in ministry.

This course focuses on practical strategies of evangelism and discipleship in a cross-cultural setting that result in indigenous-led churches which reproduce themselves by planting more churches. Special attention is given to contextualization, creative access strategies into closed countries, personal spiritual development, spiritual warfare, raising support, communicating with supporters, family dynamics, choosing an organization, and the changing role of the western missionary.

This course presents a comprehensive and dynamic view of the mandate for Christian missionary activity. Students are challenged to a growing awareness that world evangelism is four-dimensional: biblical, historical, cultural, and strategic. A special emphasis is given to issues revolving around cultural and cross-cultural communication, along with how sensitivity in these areas can help further realize God’s global purpose.

This course examines the unique problems and strategies for communicating the gospel effectively in intercultural contexts. Special attention is given to the student’s personal role in intercultural communication, including language, behavior, and sensitivities needed to bridge cultural boundaries.

This course introduces students to principles and processes for developing a theology of mission for the context in which they serve. Emphasis is placed on biblical precedent and a practical approach to the local context.

Students are introduced to mass communication and explore its culture-shaping power, contemporary issues, and media’s impact on society. Students evaluate media economics, forms, history, ethics, careers, legal issues, societal issues, and religious issues.

Typically completed during the spring term, this course consists of orientation meetings, required paperwork, required reading, cultural research, application for the student’s internship, and other necessary preparations for the field internship.

The internship provides on-the-job training under the supervision and guidance of an experienced practitioner where students are given opportunities to apply classroom instruction in cross-cultural media communication situations. Internships directed by Johnson University’s School of Intercultural Studies enable students to gain ministry experience in their program in a cross-cultural setting. The term “cross-cultural” refers to cultural “distance,” whether geographical, theological, linguistic, or social, without regard to “foreign” or “home” distinctions. Internships test students’ aptitude for intercultural ministry, provide a laboratory for the application of classroom-learned theory, and offer exposure to life and practice on the cross-cultural field, all under the supervision and mentoring of an experienced and successful practitioner. One-credit 10-week (minimum) internships include a minimum of 300 hours of cross-cultural work, which students normally complete during the summer between their junior and senior years. The required internship works together with a one-credit preparation course and a one-credit post-field course.

Typically this course is completed during Fall Session 1, upon successful completion of the internship. During this course, students will successfully complete all paperwork and other debriefing requirements for their time on the field in internship. Elements such as debriefing, field reports, and supporter reports are a part of this course. Successful completion of all course components is required.

Choose five with prefixes MART, COMM, MUTC as approved by advisor.