Intercultural Studies, M.A.
Program Description
The M.A. in Intercultural Studies is designed to equip students both for careers in cross-cultural or multicultural environments and for ministries associated with spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ in cultures other than one's own. At the end of the program, graduates should be able to do the following:
- Demonstrate their capacity to live and work in environments or cultures different than their own;
- Articulate a cross-cultural or international perspective with respect to their professional training (e.g., in teaching, medicine, business, or development);
- Produce written studies and reports manifesting their familiarity with the analytical and research tools available (particularly in the social sciences) and demonstrate their abilities to assess and adapt their objectives and activities to the cultural realities of their working environments;
- Communicate a clear understanding of the dynamic nature of the gospel, the spiritual and cultural traits of a growing church, the deeply intertwined relationship between the gospel and culture in which God's self-revelation was given in culture, how it is now communicated across cultures, and how it is being faithfully lived out in appropriate contextualized acts of allegiance to the God of creation; and
- Manifest godliness of character, personal standards of integrity and morality, concern for human rights and justice, and a passion for the reconciliation of humanity with their Creator.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies, students will be able to:
- Articulate principles for successful living and working in diverse environments and cultures (ULO 1 and 2).
- Express an understanding of an international perspective on their experience in mono-cultural training (e.g. teaching, medicine, business) (ULO 1).
- Demonstrate proficiency in research skills and writing that includes assessment and adaptation to specific cultural contexts (ULO 1).
- Describe the dynamic nature of the Gospel, the growing church, and how it is contextualized and communicated across cultures (ULO 1 and 3).
Each Program Learning Outcome (PLO) listed above references at least one of the University Learning Outcomes (ULO 1, 2, 3), which may be found in the General Information section of this catalog.
Graduation Requirements
- Complete the required courses listed below.
- Successfully pass a comprehensive examination over coursework.
- Maintain a 3.0 grade point average on a 4.0 scale.
- Meet with department advisor and a Graduate Graduation Counselor in the Office of the Registrar one year prior to graduation to declare intent to graduate. (See the Graduate Graduation Application section.)
Program Description
The M.A. in Intercultural Studies is a 39-credit program. For the qualified applicant with extensive undergraduate work in intercultural studies/missions, it may be reduced to a minimum of 30 credits.
Curriculum Requirements
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Program Courses | ||
ISAN 761 | Culture and Transformation | 3 |
or ISCL 711 | Dynamics of the Religious Experience | |
ISCL 520 | Interpersonal and Intercultural Adjustment | 3 |
or ISCL 709 | Intercultural Communication | |
ISCL 742 | History of the World Christian Movement | 3 |
ISCL 750 | Issues in Contextualization/Cross-Cultural Theology | 3 |
or ISCL 751 | Theology of Mission | |
ISCL 695 | Master of Arts Comprehensive Examination | 0 |
Select one of the following: | 3 | |
Ethnographic Research Methods | ||
Economic Anthropology | ||
Social Anthropology | ||
Graduate Research in Intercultural Studies | ||
Bible/Theology Courses | ||
Students may select Bible/Theology courses from a wide range of courses taught by the faculty at Talbot School of Theology. Students with no formal biblical/theological training prior to entering the program must have the selection approved by the program director. Students may also select: | 6 | |
Theology of Culture | ||
Spiritual Conflicts in Cross-Cultural Context | ||
Issues in Spiritual Warfare | ||
Narrative in Scripture and Teaching | ||
Theology of Mission | ||
Acts: Biblical and Missiological | ||
Topics in Biblical Theology from a Missiological Perspective | ||
Elective Courses | ||
Select 18 credits of advisor-approved electives 1 | 18 | |
Total Credits | 39 |
- 1
Students who do not have to take required electives are encouraged to choose a combination of electives most suitable for their career goals. Students may also choose to focus electives in areas of specialization such as anthropology, missiology, cross-cultural education, Bible and theology, Bible translation, linguistics, TESOL, church planting, cross-cultural health care, urban ministries, etc. Students desiring a graduate certificate in TESOL in conjunction with their intercultural studies degree must also apply to the Department of ALT.
Students who are not proficient in a second language will also be required to take one of the courses listed below as a required elective. (Proficiency standards for a second language will be determined by the M.A. advisor in consultation with intercultural studies faculty. See student handbook for standards.)
Students who have not previously taken a course in cultural anthropology will be required to take the course below as a required elective.