ICS/Mission Course Schedule

*Courses displayed with an asterisk are either required foundational courses or count towards fulfilling the ICS Core.  Courses with dates displayed in brackets are modular courses.

Fall 2008

ME 5000, Foundations of Christian Mission, Dr. Richard Cook, 8/27-10/27

Survey of the theology, history, culture, politics, and methods of the Christian mission, with special emphasis on recent developments, crucial issues, and future trends, ending with a careful study of missions in the local church.  Offered fall and spring.  Two hours. 

ME 5001, Foundations of Evangelism, Dr. John Nyquist

This course will provide the graduate student with the content and the context for developing a biblical and theological understanding of evangelism.  Through lecture, open discussion, small group interaction, and field experience, the student will develop convictions, skills, and confidence in communicating the gospel while learning how to reproduce these in a local setting, whether it be church, a university or high school campus, or in a multicultural context.  Additionally, there will be a stong emphasis on encouraging the student to develop a biblical philosophy of ministry that reflects a balance of both the theoretical and practical perspectives of evangelism.  Offered fall and spring.  Two hours. 

ME 6000, Gospel and World Religions, Ajith Fernando

This course aims to equip students in sharing their faith with those of other religions and ideologies.  The different features of the Christian message will be described along with the corresponding views on these topics in other faiths.  Topics include the nature of Scripture, God, the person and work of Jesus, spirituality and death, and what happens after death.  We will seek ways to communicate these truths for evangelism and nurture those from other faiths.  Some attention will be given to communicating the Christian message in a shamed culture.  Two hours.  [October 20-24]

ME 6240, The Intercultural Missionary*, Dr. Jim Plueddemann

Explores decisions and developmental tasks involved in preparing for a missions career, adjusting to another culture, learning a language, rearing a family overseas, managing conflict, and handling intercultural stress.  The spiritual formation of the missionary is emphasized.  Two hours.

ME 6760, Theology of Mission and Evangelism*, Dr. Tite Tienou

The many Old and New Testament texts that provide theological foundations for the global mission of the church are examined.  Basic issues that confront the missionary will be investigated, as well as the more complex and contemporary issues.  The course provides the student with various perspectives and strategies for dealing with the Trinity, the Great Commission, the call and motivation for ministry, and the problems of dialogue, syncretism, universalism, and ecumenism.  Cross-list as ST.  Three hours. 

ME 6968, Discipleship Evangelism, Dr. John Nyquist

"Putting it all together" would appropriately describe the way in which this course attempts to outline a contemporary theology of discipleship, contextualized in the local church, and lived out in the real world, where unbelievers are given opportunity to commit their lives unreservedly to Jesus Christ.  The class is composed of students invited by the instructor and committed to disciple their fellow seminarians in leading others to Christ.  Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.  Three hours.

ME 7465, Mission/Evangelism Internship (Part-time), Dr. John Nyquist 
Designed for students completing the internship during two semesters, while maintaining a lighter class load.  Students are exposed to aspects of mission/evangelism in a church, mission, or parachurch setting related to their vocational goals and under the supervision of an on-campus supervisor and the oversight of a seasoned mentor.  Includes one mandatory class meeting during the first week of each semester. Considered half-time student status.  Prerequisites: Consent of the ME Department internship supervisor, ME 5000, ME 5001, ME 7464, PT 5095, and an additional field education.  May be repeated.  Credit/No Credit.  Two hours.

ME 7466, Mission/Evangelism Internship (Full-time), Dr. John Nyquist
The preferred internship to give the student immersion in full-time ministry experience averaging at least thirty hours per week.  Students are exposed to aspects of mission/evangelism in a church, mission, or parachurch setting related to their vocational goals and under the supervision of an on-campus supervisor and the oversight of a seasoned mentor.  Includes one mandatory class meeting during the first week of each semester.  Considered full-time student status.  Prerequisites: Consent of the ME Department internship supervisor, ME 5000, ME 5001, ME 7464, PT 5095, and one additional field education.  Credit/No Credit.  Two hours.

ME 7710, Contextualization, Dr. Craig Ott 
A study of contextualization from theoretical and practical perspectives, including an examination of the meanings and methods of contextualization as proposed in recent literature, an analysis of the proposals of prominent contextualizers, and the development of limited contextualized materials for selected target cultures.  Cross-list as CC.  Three hours.

ME 8000-01, Seminar: Current Issues-Ethnographic Research Methods, Dr. Bob Priest

Topics chosen deal with significant issues in mission and/or evangelism.  Opportunity provided for seminar discussion and for the presentation of advanced research papers.  Three hours.