INTR 532: Contextualization Course Information

Catalog Description: Analysis of the encounter of the gospel with culture within the framework of the behavioral sciences and informed from the perspective of Christian theology.

Department Mission Statement: Our mission is to develop professionals skilled in the theory and practice of missions for committed service in a dynamically changing world. Therefore we are committed to developing effective cross-cultural professionals who 1) are competent communicators of Christ, 2) are skillful in facilitating intercultural understanding, and 3) are effective servants.

1. Student outcomes for the course in relation to the Department Mission Statement: By the end of this course, the student will have developed as an effective cross-cultural professional in these areas:

a. Competent communicators of Christ:

i. Can speak from the Scriptures with authority and cultural sensitivity about the person and work of Jesus Christ and the necessity for all persons having a relationship with him;
ii. Are effective in developing appropriate cross-cultural relationships;
iii. Can understand and mentor believers from other cultures in Christian growth;
iv. Have strong communication skills for relational ministry.

b. Skillful in facilitating intercultural understanding:

i. Understand theological foundations and are able to relate them appropriately in decision making;
ii. Understand cultural dynamics and the role they play in decision-making;
iii. Know how to work together with a team in intercultural situations;

c. Effective servants:

i. Partner with the various expressions of the local church;
ii. Seek to be agents of positive transformation in their professional contexts;
iii. Demonstrate a disciplined, vital spiritual life as the basis for incarnational ministry.

3. Cheating and plagiarism: Cheating (the presentation of someone else's work which the student ought to have done personally) or plagiarism (the use of ideas and information from a specific source without giving credit in some manner to the source) will result in the disqualification (including a grade of 0) of the unit of the course affected by it.

4. Late assignments: Except for illness, unless arrangements are made with the professor in advance or there are some type of extenuating circumstances which could not have been foreseen, all late assignments will automatically be reduced in grade by 10%.

5. Office hours: My advising hours are posted on the Web; come by to sign up or e-mail me for an appointment.