Intercultural Studies, Vocational Missiology (ICSVO.BA)

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Christian Ministries

Intercultural Studies prepares students for work in missions and ministry in both the secularized West and the greater world by using an intercultural approach to teaching missiology. The vocational missiology emphasis prepares students to teach English as a second language.

Degree Checklist

For a check list of all the courses required for this degree program and a suggested four-year sequence of study, please click on the link below.

General Education Requirements - Total Hours: 55

Click here for the General Education Core requirements

GNST-251 is not required for ICSVO.BA Majors.

Specialty Area Requirements

CHMN 150 - Mission of the Church Credit Hours: 3

This course will focus on the biblical, holistic and contextual mission of the church: worship, evangelism, discipleship, benevolence, social justice and stewardship. It is designed as the gateway course to the majors in the Department of Christian Ministries.
CHMN 220 - Biblical Interpretation for Ministry Credit Hours: 3

This course intends to prepare students for quality Bible study which supports the work of evangelical, Pentecostal ministry. The pragmatic nature of this course emphasizes the inductive method of Bible study, fostering direct engagement with biblical texts and demonstration of sound hermeneutical skills. Sensitivity to a text's literary features will be a primary focus of the course.

Prerequisites

BIBL-101 and 102, ENGL-110, and CHMN-150.
CHMN 230 - Introduction to Preaching and Teaching Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to introduce students to the theology, basic construction and delivery of biblical messages through preaching and teaching within diverse ministry settings.

Prerequisites

CHMN-150 and CHMN-220.
CHMN 310 - Spiritual Formation and Discipleship Credit Hours: 3

This course will introduce the student to the nature of Christian spiritual formation. Key biblical, theological and historical persons and events will be examined. Socio-psychological issues will be reviewed as they specifically pertain to the process of Christian spirituality. Attention will be given to the development of the individual student's spiritual life as well as to how ministry personnel can cultivate spiritual growth in other people.

Prerequisites

CHMN-150 (or MUSW-112 for Music & Worship majors).
ICSP 250 - Introduction to Missions Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to the world mission of the church including its biblical and theological foundations, historical development, cultural perspectives and present practices.

Prerequisites

This course is a prerequisite for all other ICSP classes for majors.
ICSP 311 - Urban Evangelism and Church Planting Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to further students' understanding of urban contexts and the implications for evangelism and urban church planting. Special attention will be given to the important role social sciences (particularly demographic, ethnographic and sociological research) may play in the work of urban ministry.
ICSP 352 - Contemporary World Religions Credit Hours: 3

A study of the history and teachings of the major non-Christian religions of the world with an attempt to relate them to their cultural backgrounds.

or

ICSP 353 - Eastern Religions and Philosophy Credit Hours: 3

A study of the beliefs, practices and historical developments of Eastern religions and philosopies, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Sikhism, Jainism, Islam, Daoism and Shinto.

Prerequisites

ENGL-110.
ICSP 354 - Theology of Missions Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to the study of missions with a stress upon Biblical texts addressing the plan of God for the propagation of the Gospel.

Prerequisites

For Majors - ICSP-250 and THEO-230 or THEO-250.
ICSP 380 - Internship Orientation Credit Hours: 3

This course will prepare Intercultural Studies majors for ministry in the context of their 10-week internship abroad, in the summer directly following this course. The course will equip learners with a conceptual framework and practical model for communicating the gospel in cultures different from their own. It is designed for Intercultural Studies majors only.

Prerequisites

ICSP majors only.
ICSP 390 - Intercultural Studies Internship Credit Hours: 6

A guided ten-week service experience in a culture other than the student's own in the U.S.A. or abroad, planned and supervised by the faculty of the Intercultural Studies program in connection with one of the following church agencies: Church of God World Missions, Cross-Cultural Ministries, or International Department of Youth and Christian Education.

Prerequisites

Nonmajors must have the consent of the ICSP director.
ICSP 400 - Church and Urban Transformation Credit Hours: 3

This course provides an intensive examination of strategies and tools that may be employed in urban churches to bring about community transformation. It will examine case studies that address the need for social awareness, with particular emphasis on issues affecting multicultural communities.

Prerequisites

CHMN-220, ICSP-250 for majors.
ICSP 451 - Principles and Practices of Missions Credit Hours: 3

A practical study of missions work, including a detailed study of the Church of God's missions policies.

Collateral Requirements

Collateral Electives - Credit Hours: 5

Select five hours from the following courses:

ICSP 254 - History of Missions Credit Hours: 3

A history of Christian missions, including mission efforts of the Church of God.
ICSP 291 - Special Topics Seminar Credit Hours: 1

Courses presenting current missiological trends, issues and perspectives of contemporary interest which are beyond the scope of established courses within the Intercultural Studies discipline.
ICSP 292 - Special Topics Seminar Credit Hours: 2

Courses presenting current missiological trends, issues and perspectives of contemporary interest which are beyond the scope of established courses within the Intercultural Studies discipline.
ICSP 293 - Special Topics Seminar Credit Hours: 3

Courses presenting current missiological trends, issues and perspectives of contemporary interest which are beyond the scope of established courses within the Intercultural Studies discipline.
ICSP 355 - Spiritual Warfare in Mission and Ministry Credit Hours: 3

This course seeks to advance the student's knowledge of the biblical, theological and cultural understandings of spiritual warfare in the context of both the two-thirds world and secularized west, suggesting some missiological implications for ministry in today's world.
ICSP 356 - Encountering Contemporary Cults and New Religious Movements Credit Hours: 3

A study of historical and theological origins and development of Cults and New Religious Movements and the challenge they present to Christian mission and ministry.
ICSP 360 - Area Studies Credit Hours: 3

Directed study of the culture and the secular and ecclesiastical history of a certain geographical area, with specific attention to the mission work of the Church of God.
ICSP 370 - Globalization and Culture Credit Hours: 3

This course is designed to offer students an overview of the emergence and development of globalization. It will focus on intercultural encounters facilitated by globalization and local responses to global impacts. The course will also examine migration, immigration, socioeconomic and religiocultural issues prevalent in an emerging global culture and how these global trends impact the mission of the church.
ICSP 410 - Cross-cultural Hermeneutics: Reading the Bible in a Global Context Credit Hours: 3

This course is intended to expose students to methods of biblical interpretation observed within multicultural contexts. The course includes a survey of contemporary Asian, African and Latin American perspectives in the field of hermeneutics and their implications for a biblical theology of missions.

Prerequisites

CHMN-220, ICSP-250 for majors; nonmajors must have consent from the ICSP Director.
THEO 334 - Doctrine of Christ Credit Hours: 3

A historical and systematic study of the doctrine of the person and work of Jesus Christ. This course surveys the primitive Christologies of the New Testament and the Christological controversies of the early church and continues by examining the various reconstructions of Christologies in the modern era. The centrality of Christ for other doctrines and for Christian proclamation will also be stressed.

Prerequisites

THEO-230 or THEO-250

Vocational Requirements (TESOL) - Credit Hours: 18

COMM 354 - Intercultural Communication Credit Hours: 3

A study of the relationship between communication and culture with emphasis on factors affecting the processes and quality of interpersonal communication between those of differing cultures and subcultures.

Prerequisites

None
ENGL 302 - The English Language Credit Hours: 3

This course is intended to give the student an in-depth look at the structure of the English language, focusing on traditional and alternative theories of grammar and principles of linguistics with applications for second-language acquisition.

Prerequisites

ENGL-110
ENGL 380 - Introduction to Linguistics Credit Hours: 3

An introduction to scientific language study including morphology, phonology, syntax, pragmatics and the nature of language.

Prerequisites

ENGL-110
ENGL 381 - Language Acquisition and Development Credit Hours: 3

An investigation of the cognitive processes of first and second language acquisition and development with special attention to the acquisition of literacy, language diversity and bilingualism.

Prerequisites

ENGL-110
ENGL 385 - Linguistics for Teaching English as a Second Language Credit Hours: 3

A presentation of the linguistic, psycholinguistic and sociocultural dimensions of second language teaching and learning. 

Prerequisites

ENGL-380 and ENGL-381
ENGL 482 - Methods of Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) Credit Hours: 3

A comprehensive study of the knowledge and skills necessary for students to become effective teachers of English to speakers of other languages in grades Pre-K through 12. Course topics focus on classroom methods, approaches, and strategies to facilitate acquisition of English as a second language. The course includes a 30 clock-hour practicum. 

Prerequisites

ENGL/LING-385

Bible Elective - Credit Hours: 3

Choose one of the following courses:

BIBL 314 - Luke-Acts Credit Hours: 3

This course will study the books of Luke and Acts as a two-part narrative. Attention will be given to Luke's use of Christian traditions, to the literary character and structure of the work, and to theological and socio-cultural themes in the Lukan narrative.

Prerequisites

BIBL-101 or BIBL-111, and BIBL-102 or BIBL-110.
BIBL 402 - Romans and Galatians Credit Hours: 3

A comparative, expository and theological study of the Epistles to the Romans and Galatians with emphasis on the cardinal Christian doctrines as formulated in these documents. The course includes a study of the influences of both Judaism and Hellenism on the cultural and religious scene in the first century A.D.

Prerequisites

BIBL-101 or BIBL-111, and BIBL-102 or BIBL-110DAL additional prerequisites:  BIBL-261, and junior status.