DESCRIPTION:

This course addresses cultural self-awareness and cross-cultural competence for building healthy relationships within diverse communities. Drawing upon anthropological perspectives, students gain basic principles and skills for researching and interacting among diverse cultural and social groups.

Our multicultural society is a given these days, and understanding its diversity takes a lifetime. This course builds on life experience and uses scholarship to advance intercultural understanding.

1. Demonstrate cultural self awareness and an understanding of personal and cultural biases

2. Learn to use the interview techniques of "personal story" and "focused conversation" to elicit the social and cultural context of an immigrant and reflect upon the relevance of cultural understanding for ministry

3. Apply the perspectives of basic values, cultural intelligence, and theological reflections on global issues to the understanding and analysis of the culture of the immigrant you interviewed

4. Design a plan for the adaptation of your personal culture to do effective ministry among the peoples and culture of the immigrant studied

Conducted online, the ten weekly lessons align with Fuller's academic calendar. The course involves reading, writing, use of libraries and other resources, and interactive online discussion. Each week, students and the instructor will interact with the material through online assignments and forums.

Lingenfelter, Sherwood, and Marvin K. Mayers. Ministering Cross-Culturally. Grand Rapids: Baker, 2003. ISBN: 0801025474. Pub. price: $14.99.

Ramachandra, Vinoth. Subverting Global Myths. Downers Grove: IVP Academic, 2008. ISBN: 978-0830828852. Pub. price: $23.00.

Maranz, David. African Friends and Money Matters. Dallas: SIL, 2004. Chapters 3 & 7, available to registered students on Moodle.

Min, Anchee. Pearl of China. New York: Bloomsbury, 2010. ISBN: 978-1608193127. Pub. price: $16.00.

Spradley, James P., and David McCurdy. Conformity and Conflict: Readings in Cultural Anthropology. 13th ed. Boston: Allyn & Bacon, 2008. ISBN: 0205645852. Pub. price: $$71.40.

CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

Perea, Stan. The New America: The Land of the Moo Shoo Burrito. Denver: HIS Publications, 2004. ISBN: 0976027402. Pub. price: $25.95.

Ra, Soong Chan. Many Colors: Cultural Intelligence for a Changing Church. Chicago: Moody Publishers, 2010. ISBN: 978-0802450487. Pub. price: $14.99.

Washington, Raleigh, and Glen Kehrein. Breaking down Walls: A Model for Reconciliation. Chicago: Moody Press, 2004. ISBN: 0802426433. Pub. price: $12.99.

1. Self-assessment paper using Ministering Cross-Culturally and class lectures (10-12 pages) - see info in syllabus;

2. Satisfactory participation in weekly online forums, chats, and other online assignments that require reflection and responses to required readings and other learning resources;

3. Two immigrant interviews - see info in syllabus.

4. Plan for effective ministry that integrates data from interviews - see info in syllabus.