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 discussion. Each week, students and the instructor will interact with the material through journaling, threaded discussions, and research.

Lingenfelter, Sherwood, and Marvin K. Mayers. Ministering Cross Culturally. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker, 2003. ISBN: 0-8010-2647-4. Pub. Price: $14.99.

Ramachandra, Vinoth. Subverting Global Myths. Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2008. ISBN: 0-8308-28850. Pub. Price: $23.00.

Brekus, Catherine A., and W. Clark Gilpin, eds. American Christianities: A History of Dominance and Diversity. Chapel Hill: The University of North Carolina Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-8078-7213-0. Pub. Price: $34.95.

Spradley, James P., and David McCurdy. Conformity and Conflict: Readings in Cultural Anthropology. 13th ed. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon, 2008. ISBN: 0-205645852. Pub. Price: $68.00.

1. Completion of Basic Values profile from Lingenfelter (20 points). This questionnaire will be provided on the course website prior to the start of the quarter and should be completed and uploaded at the end of the first week of class.

2. Self assessment paper based on basic values (10-12 pages) (100 points).

3. 10 forums in which to discuss various issues with other students (10 points each).

4. Two personal reflection papers based on (a) viewing a movie and (b) how cultural diversity has impacted your theology (50 points each).

5. Skype debate with a team of students about a global issue and the different cultural viewpoints on it (50 points)

6. One immigrant interview and a paper about it (150 points).

7. Plan for effective ministry with a particular cultural group (150 points).