Course Syllabus MI 363

Intercultural Studies - Globalization
Eugene Bible College, Spring 2008
M W F 2 p.m. - 3 p.m. Bryan 102

www.ebcglobalization.blogspot.com

College Mission Statement & Goals

The mission of Eugene Bible College is to glorify God through biblically-based college education that disciples and equips servants of Jesus Christ to become life-long learners who offer effective and relevant Spirit-filled ministry and leadership in the church and the world.

Course Description

This course will analyze globalization from a Christian perspective. Through a combination of discussions, lectures, reading, class activities and assignments students will explore the coming challenges to Christian leaders of the global dynamics in the world today. The course will explore the complexity of leadership in global culture with an emphasis on issues of injustice, ethnicity, gender, religious pluralism and the poor.

Each student is encouraged to choose a particular area of the world and use the assignments to further deepen the understanding about that area its people, culture and present condition.

Course Objectives

Students taking this course will be able to articulate the current issues within globalization, post-modernism, and shifting social and economic powers as how they relate to Christianity and missions. They will also analyze and write about modern Christianity and mission including non-western perspectives.

During the course, students will compare different view-points and present solutions for different conflicts that may arise in missions today. Students will also experience different cultural social setting and respond using terminology and concepts presented in class and through assigned readings. Students will also utilize modern forms of communication including the Internet to not only receive but to contribute to the global discourse and exchange of information.

Required Reading

Missions in the Third Millennium by Stan Guthrie, Paternoster Press, 2004.

Faiths in Conflict? Christian Integrity in a Multicultural World by Vinoth Ramachandra, Intervarsity Press, 1999.

Course requirements

1. Assigned Readings: Read assigned sections for in-class and online discussions and enter your responses to the questions into the class blog at www.ebcglobalization.blogspot.com. These should be about 100 words long and should take into account other's entries as well as the posted question. These are posted on the Internet. - 10 %
2. Each week you will be assigned to learn a section of the globe. There will be a regional map quiz at the end of the week. -10%
3. Choose a modern missions organization and present a report about their ministry and scope. This paper should be about 200-300 words and should include at least 1 primary and 2 secondary sources (not just the missionary organization itself). DUE FRIDAY April 18, 2008 -10%
4. Correspond with a non-traditional missionary and prepare a paper about their work and challenges. This should include primary sources by live or phone interview or emails, journal or blog. DUE FRIDAY April 25, 2008 -10%
5. Identify and discuss perspective of a marginalized group within a particular area and discuss their role in missions. This should include 1 primary and 2 secondary sources. DUE May 16, 2008- 10%
6. MIDTERM Includes information from first half of term April 30, 2008-10%
7. Participate in a cross-cultural experience this term and compare and contrast differences in culture, race, gender, social and economic perspectives. About 200-300 word response DUE FRIDAY, May 5, 2007 -10%
8. Explore diversity within Christianity by participating in a public Christian expression other than a traditional service held at a Church or Bible College. Students will write a 200-300 word reaction paper using the terms and concepts discussed in class. DUE May 18, 2007 -10%
9. Present research on a specific urban center in the world. This may include its historical and ethic make-up as well as economic and social issues. It should also include its unique challenges and opportunities for reaching its various people groups with the gospel. Discuss its spiritual setting and challenges. There will be 10 minute presentation and 5 minutes of discussion or questions. The presentation may be creative in form. This should include an annotated bibliography of 10 sources including 3 primary sources and 4 secondary sources. Students may uses sources from other assignments in class if applicable. DUE May 22-June 6, 2007-10%
10. FINAL Includes information from last half of term June 14, 8 a.m. -10%

A primary source is first-hand and can be from an interview, journal, autobiography, radio, personal blog, television broadcast or memoir. A secondary source can be a newspaper, or magazine article, a book or a website specifically about a subject. A tertiary source includes encyclopedias and online information clearinghouses such Infoplease and Wikipedia and should only be used as a general reference and not a reference source for a paper or presentation.

All papers are due in class on their assigned days and are subject to 10-20% deduction for lateness. No paper will be accepted after June 2, 2007. EBC's policies of academic honesty and intellectual freedom and discourse will be upheld in this course as well as proper Internet etiquette.

Reading Discussion and Assignment Schedule Have reading and papers done by date below.

Week	Monday	Wednesday	Friday
3/31-4/4		Syllabus and Intro to course	Guthrie Intro, ch 1
4/7- 4/11	Guthrie ch 2,3	Ramachandra Ch 1	Guthrie ch 4,5
4/14 -4/18	Guthrie ch 6,7	Ramachandra Ch 2	Modern Missions paper due
4/21-4/25	Guthrie ch 8,9	Ramachandra Ch 3	Non-traditional Missionary report
4/28-5/2	Guthrie 10, 11	Midterm review	Midterm
5/5-5/9	C-C Exp. Report	Spiritual Growth Conference	Guthrie 12, 13
5/12-5/16	Guthrie 14, 15	Ramachandara Ch 4	Marginalized Group
5/19-5/23	Guthrie 17, 18	Honors Assembly	Guthrie 18, 19
5/26-5/30	Memorial Day	Ramachandra Ch 5	Guthrie 20, 21
6/2-6/6	Final Presentations	Final Presentations	Final Review
6/9-6/13		Thursday June 12 Final 8 a.m.