Missions

This course applies cultural anthropology to everyday life and vocational living, with special attention to the application of an anthropological perspective. Students learn to examine various frameworks that make up “culture,” including social status, language, power, economics, gender, and religion.

This course equips students with the basic skills necessary to prepare and present biblical sermons. It gives special attention to studying a biblical text for preaching purposes; developing thesis statements, outlines, and support materials; and communicating effectively with contemporary listeners.

This course equips students with the skills necessary to prepare and present biblical lessons. It gives special attention to studying a biblical text for teaching purposes, developing thesis statements and objectives, interactive and creative strategies, and utilizing group dynamics to help individuals grow spiritually.

This course introduces students to the process of language and cultural acquisition among people served on the field. An array of tools and practices are introduced.

This course provides students with biblical and practical resources for exploring callings and possibilities in intercultural contexts, establishing healthy personal and
interpersonal skills for intercultural effectiveness, and embracing the role of higher education in equipping for intercultural service.

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.

Students consider the challenges and joys of the cross-cultural educator. This course seeks to develop cultural teachers who understand their own culture of learning and teaching, while also becoming effective teachers in a context other than their own. Cross-cultural teaching methods, techniques, appropriate lesson planning, and more are addressed for those who teach in cross-cultural or multicultural settings. Special attention is given to teaching English and teaching the Bible in both formal and non-formal contexts, while students will also have opportunities to focus on teaching topics relevant to them.

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.

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. Students will work with their academic advisor, the instructor of this course, and other faculty to pursue internship opportunities within their major and concentration areas.

This course leads students to apply lessons learned in the classroom to actual intercultural and/or multicultural contexts under the guidance of an experienced field mentor. Students accomplish various vocational tasks, observe intercultural service situations, and reflect on their experiences to further develop intercultural and interpersonal skills. The internship generally occurs between students’ junior and senior years, and students should seek internship opportunities within their concentration area.

This course is typically completed during the fall semester, upon students’ successful completion of ICST 3521 and ICST 3522. 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.

This course invites students to explore how God’s story—as revealed in scripture—intersects with their own stories—their passions, interests, callings, and vocations. Emphasis is placed on appreciating the coherence of the biblical narrative from Genesis to Revelation and developing missional approaches to local and global contexts in which students may live and work.

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 gives students an overview of the theology, theory, and practice of planting churches locally and cross-culturally. Special attention is given to the mission of the church, contemporary models of church planting, indigenous church planting movements, making the gospel relevant to
culture, and accountability-oriented discipleship which leads to the multiplication of churches. Church-planting specialists assist, and field trips to new church plants are included in the course schedule.

Race & Ethnicity in the American Experience
This course examines the complex issue of ethnicity and race in America from a cultural, historical, and social justice perspective. Students gain a framework for understanding and identifying ethnic and racial issues and are equipped to live justly within their chosen professional fields.

Peoples & Cultures of the Middle East
This course examines the ethnic groups and cultures of the modern Middle East and North Africa (MENA). While it focuses on the map as it appears today, the course also surveys essential historical background. By necessity, the study considers the relationship between this region’s modern boundaries and its traditional ethnic identities. In this process, the course highlights the MENA’s rich cultures and diverse people groups.

Dynamics of World Religions
This course provides an introduction to the world’s major living religions through the study of primary and secondary sources. Students learn about the history and practices of these religious traditions through a variety of media. Each religion is allowed to speak for itself, but the course employs a comparative approach. Key aspects of Christian faith and practice are examined during the entire process.

Urban Anthropology
This course focuses on contemporary issues salient to selected people and groups in the city (such as, but not necessarily including, African-American, Hispanic-American, drug culture, the homeless), and—as appropriate—historical background (including migration patterns). The course also relates these issues and people groups to the Missio Dei, or Mission of God. Topics vary by term.

Choose one 2000- or above course with ANTH, ICSS, or CMXX prefix