Spring 2017/Fuller Online

ME506

Tan

ME506: COMMUNICATING THE GOSPEL CROSS-CULTURALLY (4 Units: 160 hours). Sooi Ling Tan.

DESCRIPTION: Today’s plural and globalized world of multicultural interactions calls for the church to reflect and re-shape how the gospel is to be communicated more effectively. This course discusses the principles, dynamics and processes of intercultural communication, and the application of these principles to communicating the gospel in ministry contexts. Intersecting this is the examination of the nature of God’s model of communication from a biblical perspective. Learners have the opportunity to enhance their intercultural competence while creatively working to develop models of communication that are theologically valid, culturally appropriate and contextually relevant.

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 with 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: 1,200 total pages required. 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.

Course Reader [100 pp.].

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

Moreau, Scott, Evvy Campbell and Susan Greener, Effective Intercultural Communication: A Christian Perspective (Encountering Mission). Baker Academic, 2014. ISBN 978-0801026638, Pub. Price $29.99 [420 pp. assigned].

Neuliep, James. W., Intercultural Communication: A Contextual Approach. 6th ed. Sage Publications, 2015. ISBN: 978-1452256597, Pub. Price $103.00 [367 pp.].

Smith, Donald H. Creating Understanding: A Handbook for Christian Communication across Cultural Landscapes. Zondervan, 1992. ISBN: 978-0310531210, Pub. Price $24.95 [100 pp. assigned].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Howley, Kevin. Understanding Community Media. Sage, 2010. ISBN: 978-1412959056, Pub. Price $63.00.

Shaw, R. Daniel and Van Engen, Charles E. Communicating God’s Word in a Complex World: God’s Truth or Hocus Pocus? Roman & Littlefield Publishers, 2003. ISBN: 978-0742514478. Pub. Price, $38.00.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 1,200 pages of required reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-5]. [70 hours].

2. Weekly lessons (video lectures, PowerPoint presentations, etc.) [20 hours].

3. Five proposition interaction papers (250 words each) with specific application/stories from ministry: 1 post and 2 responses (20%). [This is related to learning outcome 1-5] [10 hours].

4. Five 250-word forum discussions: 1 post and 2 responses (20%). [This is related to learning outcome 1,2,4,5] [10 hours].

5. An Intercultural Communication Case Study composed of (1) an individual cross-cultural participant-observation of an event (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. Assignment is developed via a wiki-website (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome 4 and 5]. [10 hours].

6. A 5,000-word final research paper. Students are to develop an appropriate model of communicating the gospel in a context of their choice. They are to integrate communication theory and theology, and draw out missiological implications and praxis (30%). [This is related to learning outcome 1-5] [40 hours].

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

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the C2 or C3 requirement in the 120 MDiv program. Meets core competency for MA Intercultural Studies program (ISCC). Option to count in the Global Arts and World Religions Emphasis.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.