Spring 2019/Fuller 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. 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: 1,080 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. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [180 pp.].

Medeiras, Carl. Muslims, Christians, and Jesus: Gaining Understanding and Building Relationships. Zondervan, 2011. ISBN: 978-0310890867, Pub. Price $10.99. [96 pp.].

Moreau, Scott, Evvy, Campbell and Susan Greener, Effective Intercultural Communication: A Christian Perspective. Baker Academic, 2014. ISBN: 978-0801026638, Pub. Price $30.00. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [298 pp.].

Neuliep, James W., Intercultural Communication: A Contextual Approach. 6th ed. Sage Publications, 2014. ISBN: 978-1452256597, Pub. Price $109.00. [293 pp.].

Nussbaum, Stan, Why Are Americans Like That? A Guide to American Sayings and Culture. Enculturation Book, 2nd Ed. 2013. www.createspace.com/5502409 ISBN: 978-0976914686, Pub. Price $9.00.[114 pp.].

Smith, Donald H. Creating Understanding: A Handbook for Christian Communication across Cultural Landscapes. Zondervan, 1992. ISBN: 978-0310531210. Pages: 15-81; 144-165. Kindle Price: $9.99. NOTE: available on Kindle only.

E-Reserves [10 pp.]:

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

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. 1,080 pages of required reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4, and 5]. [72 hours].
  2. Weekly Lessons and Video Viewing. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, and 4.]. [20 hours].
  3. DLAs: Weekly Exercises (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, and 4] [10 hours].
  4. 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]. [5 hours].
  5. Five proposition interaction papers (250 words each) with specific application/stories from ministry: 1 250-word post and 2 100-word responses (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 4, and 5]. [10 hours].
  6. Five threaded discussions: 1 250-word post and 2 100-word responses (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1,2,4, and 5]. [10 hours].
  7. SIGNATURE ASSIGNMENT: An Intercultural Communication Case Study composed of 1) an individual cross-cultural participant-observation and critical assessment of an event—2,500-word paper (25%) and 2) an assigned by 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]. [33 hours].

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

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the C3 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2015). Option to meet the EVG requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2018). Meets core competency for MA Intercultural Studies program (ISCC).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.