Missions & Intercultural Studies
| Chair | Richard L. Starcher, Ph.D. |
| Professors | Hayward, Steffen |
| Associate Professors | Bartlotti, Decker, McMahan, O'Herin, Pennoyer, Russell |
| Assistant Professors | Barber, Green, Pittle |
Objectives
Christian leaders today, whether working in their own country or in another country, are usually working in cross-cultural contexts. Leaders must be prepared with ministerial skills that will enable them in penetrating and leading effectively in the midst of ethnic complexity and multiculturalism. Christian leaders must be able to exegete the scriptures and exegete the social context in which they work. By linking the Missions & Intercultural Studies program with the School of Intercultural Studies, Talbot provides the M.Div. student an opportunity of studying with significant theological and missiology faculty. This program is designed to provide training based on sound biblical and missiological principles that have been proven valuable in missions, pastoral leadership, cross-cultural ministry and human service.
Any Talbot student may take elective courses through the School of Intercultural Studies. Students in the Master of Divinity programs with an emphasis in Missions & Intercultural Studies will take TTCL 640, 751 and 791-2. For the four additional required courses the student can choose any courses listed in the following concentrations or take four courses in one specific concentration. The concentrations are: Anthropology TTCL 503, 520, 556, 561 or 702; Applied Linguistics AL 520, 525, 529, 646, 648, 679 or 683; Church Planting TTCL 520, 556, 663, 727, 732, 735, 743, 744 or 765; Cross-cultural Education TTCL 520, 575, 622, 715, 721 or 744; Missiology TTCL 655, 722, 724, 747, 750, 752 or 755; Urban / Multi-ethnic TTCL 520, 531, 559, 560, 567, 583, or 744. Students in the Master of Ministry program with an emphasis in missions are required to take TTCL 640, 751 and two electives. Master of Theology students will, along with their Missions and Cross-cultural Ministries chair, design a program based on their individual study needs.
For a complete list of course descriptions see the School of Intercultural Studies section in the university catalog.
Intercultural Studies (ISCL)
ISCL 501 - Dynamics of the Religious Experience (3)
A treatment of conceptions of the supernatural, the function of religion in society, religion and social control, the nature of religious ritual and paraphernalia, sacred places and religious practitioners.
ISCL 503 - Economy, Society and Values (3)
The study of economic and social relations as they impact human values, with emphasis on analytic tools for comparative research and cross-cultural ministry. Prerequisite: ANTH 200 or ISCL 507.
ISCL 520 - Interpersonal and Intercultural Adjustment (3)
Exploration of the cross-cultural transition process, focusing upon healthy adjustment as a sojourner in a new culture. Attention given to understanding and applying grace to oneself and others, discerning cultural values, conflict styles, social stratification and celebration.
ISCL 531 - Peoples of Ethnic America (3)
A study of non-Caucasian ethnic groups in the light of their historical and socio-cultural background. Practical field experience in an ethnic community.
ISCL 532 - Peoples of the World (3)
Specific area studies with emphasis on customs, social structures, religion, arts, history and intercultural communication. One or more sections offered every year in areas such as: Africa, Asia, Native America, Middle East, South Pacific, Europe. May be repeated with different course content.
ISCL 546 - The Historical Development of the World Christian Movement (3)
The background, origin, development and spread of the Christian faith from the apostolic period until today. Emphasis is given to the modern era, especially contemporary growth dynamics in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
ISCL 555 - Introduction to World Missions (3)
The nature of Christian outreach; a study of principles, history, and methodology of worldwide missions. Required of M.Div. students.
ISCL 556 - World Religions (3)
The distinctive features of the historical ethnic religions, with special emphasis on their comparison and encounter with Christianity and their bearings upon missionary strategies.
ISCL 560 - Urban Research and Study (3)
The use of social science techniques to learn about the people, needs and opportunities for evangelism in the city.
ISCL 563 - Gender Roles in International Setting (3)
The dynamics of male and female roles in Western, non-Western and biblical cultures. Focus on responsibilities, obligations, expectations, leaderships and inter-relationships as they relate to the society as a whole.
ISCL 565 - Personal Leadership Formation (3)
A study of the principles and patterns used by God as He raises up leaders for His work. This study will include a discussion of the vital place of spiritual formation in leadership development.
ISCL 622 - Intercultural Communication (3)
Principles and processes of communicating from one culture to another. Focus on different perceptions, ways of thinking, values, non-verbal expression, language expression and sub-groups within a culture as they relate to the media and the message.
ISCL 640 - Applied Anthropology (3)
Study of man, culture, and environment with special emphasis on the manner in which their relationship with one another is affected by change agents.
ISCL 655 - Contemporary Theology of Mission (3)
An overview and critique of the different theologies of mission advocated by various branches of the Church beginning with Edinburgh 1910 to the liberation theology debate of our day.
ISCL 662 - Mission in Political Context (3)
Consideration of modern political ideologies and movements as they affect the Church and its mission in selected national contexts.
ISCL 680 - The Local Church and World Missions (3)
Designed to integrate principles of cross-cultural communication and theology and strategy of missions within a total conceptual framework to aid the local church in mission involvement.
ISCL 702 - Social Organization (3)
Cross-cultural study of the basic human groups of family, kin and community, engaging the student in field methodology and research, and application of principles and data of social organization to mission strategy.
ISCL 721 - Cross-cultural Teaching / Learning Strategies for Curriculum (3)
Theories and strategies for developing curriculum in a wide variety of formal and non-formal contexts; emphasis is placed on low technology, learner-sensitive options.
ISCL 722 - Spiritual Conflicts in Cross-cultural Context (3)
Reviews the historical and contemporary worldview beliefs in the existence and activity of spiritual beings or forces often encountered by the cross-cultural worker. A theology of spirits is developed to help establish theoretical and practical guidelines for appropriate understanding of and response to spiritual beliefs and potential conflicts encountered in various cross-cultural setting.
ISCL 724 - Issues in Spiritual Warfare (3)
A multi-disciplinary examination of the leading practices of, and contemporary interest in deliverance ministries, inner-healing prayer therapies, Satanism, dissociative identity disorders, recovered memories and ritual abuse.
ISCL 725 - Cultural Continuity and Change (3)
The study of how cultures change, the dynamics and processes of change, the place of change agents and the speed and intensity of change. Implications of such processes are examined in social, political, economic and religious aspects of society.
ISCL 727 - Principles of Church Multiplication (3)
Exploration of the foundational issues related to cross-cultural church multiplication. A holistic approach (through teams) that is designed to empower nationals to minister immediately, responsibly and continually, along with personal investigation of spiritual gifts, skills and life experience.
ISCL 730 - Directed Study (1-4)
Reading and research in selected areas / issues in world missions. Elective.
ISCL 732 - Church Planting Models and Strategies (3)
A survey and analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of various church planting models and strategies used around the world. Identifies key factors which the church planter can implement in a context specific, phase-out oriented church planting strategy.
ISCL 735 - Principles of Church Growth (3)
A basic understanding of church growth concepts as related both to the local congregations and to the task of worldwide evangelization, with due emphasis on the church growth school of thought.
ISCL 742 - The History of Christianity in Missiological Perspective (3)
A review of missiological literature that traces the spread and development of Christianity as a world movement, from Pentecost to the modern era. Special attention is give to the kind(s) of Christianity the spread; the process(es) by which it spread; the effect Christianity had on the socio-cultural / political environment(s); and the effect environment had on Christianity and its subsequent development.
ISCL 747 - Christianity and Culture (3)
Anthropological approach to Christian theologizing; interrelationships between supracultural Christianity and human cultures. Focus on conversion, revelation, communication, transformation, indigenity and other related topics.
ISCL 751 - Theology of Mission (3)
An examination of the theological foundations of mission derived from a study of the history of salvation. This will encompass a study of the mission given to Israel and to the Church including some interaction with contemporary theologies of mission.
ISCL 765 - Cross-cultural Leadership (3)
Cross-cultural study of leadership including diverse patterns of authority, legitimacy, public support, leadership recruitment, and training as they affect communication, church growth and development worldwide.
ISCL 791 - Field Internship (2)
ISCL 792 - Field Internship (2)
Integration of all the disciplines of ministry and seminary education. It provides supervised experience in various phases of Christian ministry. One hundred hours of field experience each semester are evaluated in classroom interaction. Required of M.Div. mission students. Prerequisites: TTPT 602; Completion of 64 hours of the M.Div. mission program. Prerequisites: TTPT 591, 592, 691, 692, 791, and 792.
ISCL 861 - Alternative Delivery Systems in Education (3)
Contemporary technologies and travel ease offer new possibilities for training nationals. This course will examine such systems as theological education by extension, in-service short courses and distance education to evaluate their suitability and effectiveness. Elective for Th.M. students; others by departmental permission.
ISCL 897 - Research Seminar (3)
ISCL 898 - Research Seminar (2)
Discussion and application of the central areas of Christian Ministry and Leadership research and related fields of study. Instruction in research methodology, including the identification of a problem, the steps taken to resolve it, and writing the results. Required for the first semester of the Th.M. missions program. A second semester may be taken to continue research in the area of interest. Fee: $50, (ISCL 897).
Applied Linguistics (ISAL)
ISAL 520 - Introduction to Language and Linguistics (3)
Introduction to the basic concepts in the scientific study of language, major areas of linguistic analysis and several sub-areas of the field, including language in society. Material from English and a variety of other languages is used to provide a broad perspective. Pre-requisite for graduate courses in Applied Linguistics for program majors.
ISAL 535 - Introduction to Bible Translation (2-3)
An introduction to the principles and problems of cross-language and cross-cultural communication with special emphasis on translating the Bible into indigenous languages.
ISAL 655 - Practicum in Language and Culture Learning (3)
Applying the theory and practice of the LAMP method in a field situation in order to learn to speak another language in its cultural context. Fee: $100.
For additional courses see The School of Intercultural Studies.