MB501: Insights for Cultural Understanding (4 units)

Peter Swann, Adjunct Professor, SIS Fuller Theological Seminary

Fall 2012, Houston

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

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.

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

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

2.     Learn to use the interview techniques of Òpersonal storyÓ and Òfocused conversationÓ 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

 

COURSE FORMAT:

Students will learn via lectures/presentations, case studies, class discussions, student presentations, and small group exercises. The class will meet weekly on Monday evenings from 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm.

 

REQUIRED READING:

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.

 

ASSIGNMENTS:

  1. Completion of Basic Values profile from Lingenfelter (10 points). This should be duplicated and handed in the first night of class.
  2. Self assessment paper (10-12 pages) (40 points).
  3. Personal reflections to be e-mailed to me at the conclusion of each dayÕs class (approx. 500-700 words). Five points for each reflection (last reflection is actually the course evaluation).
  4. Two immigrant interviews (40 points, 20 for each interview).
  5. One oral presentation on a Spradley chapter to be determined by the professor (10 points).
  6. One group presentation of either Perea, Ra, or Washington books (10 points).
  7. Plan for effective ministry (25 points).
  8. Pearl of China oral discussion (10 points).

 

PREREQUISITES:  None.

 

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:  Meets core requirement for MAIS, MACL, MAT, and MATM (new curriculum effective Winter 2010).

 

FINAL EXAM:  None.