DESCRIPTION:

The international practicum provides cross-cultural immersion (ethnically and socio-economically), practical experience in ethnographic research, and missiological reflection for students in the Masters of Arts in Intercultural Studies (MAICS) program. Students will integrate past course work from both core classes and emphasis classes into their missiological reflection, gain an understanding of the cultural context of the practicum location, grow in personal faith, discern their next steps of vocation, practice self-care in a cross-cultural context, and practice ethnographic research.

1. Students will grow in their ability to engage in missiological reflection by having regular opportunities to think critically about their ministry in light of broader global realities.

2. Students will deepen their understanding of the cultural context of ministry by immersing themselves in a specific context, practicing ethnographic research skills, and regularly reflecting with their supervisor on the connection between the context and their chosen practicum.

3. Students will develop toward becoming spiritually mature and holistic practitioners by practicing spiritual disciplines and self-care and reflecting with their peers in a missiological reflection group and with their supervisor on the connections between their faith, self-care, and ministry.

4. Students will integrate missiological theory from both core classes and emphasis classes with their practicum experience in order to develop a better understanding of vocations that engage the mission of God globally.

The course has three primary components: ethnographic research, supervised ministry, and integrated missiological reflection. The student will spend approximately 240 hours participating in these three components over a full ten-week course. The course will be facilitated via Moodle where students will interact at least weekly with a small group of other practicum students and the practicum facilitator. Students are required to be present in their cross-cultural practicum context for a minimum of six weeks.

1. Madden, Raymond. 2010. Being Ethnographic: A Guide to the Theory and Practice of Ethnography. Los Angeles: Sage. ISBN: 1412946972. List price: $42.95.
   Note: If this text has already been read, students will be required to read
   Fetterman, David M. 2010. Ethnography: Step by Step. Applied Social Research Methods Series vol. 17. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage. ISBN: 1412950457. List price: $35.95.

2. 150 pages of reading related to the student's cross-cultural context. This will be a combination of journal articles and sections of books as approved by the on-site supervisor.

3. 150 pages of reading related to spiritual formation chosen from the following list:

Calhoun, Adele Ahlberg. 2005. Spiritual Disciplines Handbook. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press. ISBN: 0830833307. List Price: $18.00.

Foster, Richard J. 1992. Prayer: Finding the Heart's True Home. New York: HarperSanFransisco. ISBN: 0060628464. List Price: $23.99.

Nouwen, Henri J. M. 1999. The Only Necessary Thing. New York: Crossroad. ISBN: 0824518330. List price: $19.95.

Thompson, Marjorie J. 1995. Soul Feast: An Invitation to the Christian Spiritual Life. Louisville: Westminster John Knox. ISBN: 0664229476. List price: $16.95.

Winner, Lauren F. 2003. Mudhouse Sabbath. Brewster, MA: Paraclete Press. ISBN: 1557253447. List price: $14.95

1. Students will complete a Learning Agreement (LAG) with their on-site supervisor and Field Education and Ministry Formation advisor. This is to be emailed to the Coordinator for Cross-Cultural Placement by Week eight of the quarter prior to the practicum. The Learning Agreement will include details of the student's practicum. The approved and final version of the LAG will be uploaded to Moodle Week One of the practicum.

2. Students are required to complete and reflect upon a homestay with local people (for a minimum 96 hours). For the remainder of the practicum students are allowed to select their own housing accommodations but strongly encouraged to live with local people for as much time as possible. The online response regarding the homestay will be due Week ten.

3. Students will participate in an online reflection forum group at least weekly during all ten weeks of the quarter, beginning in Week One - also for the Summer quarter.

4. Students will interact with the readings through postings and assignments on Moodle.

5. Students will write weekly in their online Spiritual and Self-Care Journal. They will be prompted by a variety of questions that tie their spirituality and self-care to everyday life.

6. Students will do participant observation and take field notes for a minimum of thirty minutes each weekday.

7. Students will participate in a Mid-Quarter Review via email, Skype, or phone during Week Four of the quarter with their Field Education Advisor for a progress report on the practicum.

8. Students will write a personal case study (600-750 words) about an event or situation that happened during their practicum. This will be posted for discussion within the missiological reflection group and will be due on the week assigned for each particular student.

9. Using the provided outline, students will write a response (500 words) to each of five case studies posted by fellow group members. Due dates for these responses will be posted in Moodle.

10. Students will write an ethnographic reflection paper (minimum 750 words) that specifies what they have learned through ethnographic research and integrates and applies three to five missiological theories or concepts drawn from core classes and/or emphasis classes that have surfaced throughout their practicum. Due Week Ten.

11. Students will submit a final Practicum Evaluation and their Field Supervisor's Practicum Evaluation. These forms will be distributed and submitted via Moodle and are due Week Ten.

12. Students will meet with a Practicum Facilitator to debrief their cross-cultural practicum experience. This will take place during finals week.

Before the student may register for this course, the student is responsible to (1) make arrangements for a practicum site and field supervisor and (2) receive approval from the FEMF Office for the practicum prior to the quarter in which the practicum will be completed. Students are advised that this process often takes two quarters (or more) in advance of the practicum.

For instructions on how to enroll, students must review the Field Education page on Portico. Approval for the practicum will only be granted after all required documents have been turned in by appropriate deadlines. After the student has completed the enrollment process and received approval for the practicum from the FEMF Office, the student and his/her academic advisor will receive a Course Approval Notification. The student must then contact Academic Advising to receive a Course Reference Number (CRN) in order to register for MI517 online.

The student is required to complete 24 units of missiology before he/she can register for MI517.

Meets the practicum requirement for the MA in Intercultural Studies (MAICS), the MATM and the MACL. This practicum can be taken as an elective for the MAT.