Spring 2016/Online

ME506

King

ME506: COMMUNICATING THE GOSPEL CROSS-CULTURALLY. (4 Units: 160 Hours). Roberta R. King.

DESCRIPTION: In an age of ever-increasing globalization and diversity, both worldwide and within local contexts, communicating the Gospel functions within a complex of multi-dimensional issues. Thus, effectively creating understanding of the Christian message in witness, worship, spiritual formation, and church planting requires learning how human beings communicate. This course provides the student with a study of the principles and processes of communicating within both local contexts and across cultures. It focuses particularly on the communication of the Gospel and its wider implications for the church in mission and develops a theology based on the relevance of the Incarnation as God’s model for intercultural communication.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) gain insights in the historical development of intercultural communication and its relevance for mission and the manifold ministries of the Church, (2) develop a working knowledge of principles and procedures of communicating from one culture to another and within multi-cultural contexts; (3) gain an in-depth understanding of God’s model of communication and its implications for effective communication today; (4) become familiar with foundational concepts and skills underlying the effective introduction of change within both global and local societies; and (5) acquire an ability to successfully analyze and apply these insights to communicating the Gospel that fosters cultural competency and expertise.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours, which is outlined below in the assignment and assessment section. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: 1,050 pages. If you have previously read any of the required texts, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading list or a book approved by the instructor.

Kraft, Charles H. Communication Theory for Christian Witness. Rev. ed. Orbis, 1991. ISBN: 978-0883447635, Pub. Price $26.00 [180 pp.].

Madeiras, Carl. Muslims, Christians, and Jesus: Gaining Understanding and Building Relationships. Bethany House, 2008. ISBN: 978-0310890867, Pub. Price $9.99 [96 pp.].

Moreau, Scott, Evvy, Campbell and Susan Greener, Effective Intercultural Communication: A Christian Perspective. Baker Academic, 2014. ISBN: 978-0801026638, Pub. Price $29.99 [298 pp.].

Neuliep, James. W., Intercultural Communication: A Contextual Approach. 6th ed. Sage Publications, 2015. ISBN: 978-1452256597, Pub. Price $95.00 [367 pp.].

E-Reserves [109 pp.]:

King, Roberta R. “Negotiating the Gospel Cross-Culturally: the Contributions of Intercultural Communication to Missiology” in Paradigm Shifts in Christian WitnessCharles H. Van Engen, Dudley Woodberry, and Darrell Whiteman Pages: 66-75

Smith, Donald H. Creating Understanding: A Handbook for Christian Communication across Cultural Landscapes. Pages: 15-81; 144-165.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 1,050 pages of required reading (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4, and 5]. [70 hours].

2. Weekly Class Lessons (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1,2,3, and 4]. [10 hours].

3. God, the Church and My Communication Style Group Poster Session: presents a Biblical theology of communication that discusses God’s Model for Communication (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #3 and 5]. [10 hours].

4. Five proposition interaction papers (250 words each) with specific application/stories from ministry: 1 post and 2 responses (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 4, and 5]. [10 hours].

5. Five forum discussions: 1 post and 2 responses (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1,2,4,and 5]. [10 hours].

6. An Intercultural Communication Case Study composed of 1) an individual cross-cultural participant-observation of an event with 2,500-word paper (20%) and 2) an assigned online group project that develops and presents a comparative analysis of contrasting observations with suggestions for effectively communicating the Gospel via a powerpoint/prezi/google slides presentation (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2, 4, and 5]. [42 hours].

7. A 1,000-word analysis of a written ministry report for its relevance to a specific cultural context (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #5]. [8 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None, although three years of cross-cultural ministry experience or ME500 is beneficial.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: C2 and C3. Meets core competency for MA Intercultural Studies program (ISCC). Foundational course for concentration or certificate in Global Christian Worship.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.