ICS/Mission Course Schedule

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

Spring 2009

ME 5000, Foundations of Christian Mission, Dr. James Plueddemann

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. Richard Cook

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 5175, Evangelistic Bible Study: Mark, Dr. John Nyquist

This course anticipates the desire of many Christians who want to share Christ with friends or neighbors in an informal setting.  Whether the student sees the prospect of planting a church, holding a Bible discussion in a university resident facility, or simply getting friends and acquaintances together to focus on contemporary issues, this course will fill those expectations.  Using the inductive method of investigating the biblical text, the student will be enriched with the truth and relevance of Gospel narratives, as well as experience the joy of discovering the freshness of the gospel in the context of group interaction.  Credit students only, no auditors.  Cross-list as NT 5175.  Three hours.

ME 5751, Encountering Mormon Culture, Rev. Scott McKinney

Generally a spring break onsite experience in Provo, Utah, enabling intensive engagement with Mormon thought and culture.  The course combines readings on Mormonism; visits to the Temple in Salt Lake City, Brigham Young University, and other sites; and instruction from Christian leaders involved in ministry among Mormons.  The course seeks to understand Mormon worldview and doctrinal teachings, and challenges for Christian Ministry among Mormons.  Two hours.  [6 meetings plus March 4-15 Utah Trip]

ME 6610, Anthropology for Ministry*, Dr. Robert Priest
Application of anthropological and sociological insights for ministry in diverse cultural settings, with special attention to fundamentals of culture communication and contextualization.  The course will focus anthropological understanding particularly on congregational contexts and ministry.  Two hours.

ME 6963, Principles of Discipleship^, Dr. John Nyquist

A practicum with attention given to the way Christian disciples are developed, with practical guidelines for implementing discipleship, both as a personal lifestyle and within the context of the local church. Prerequisite: must have completed at least six semester hours.  Cross-list as EM 6963.  Three hours.

ME 7300, World Religions^, Dr. Harold Netland

Historical survey of the origin and growth of the major world religions, beliefs, practices, and worldviews of the major traditions will be examined, with special attention given to comparison and contrast with Christian beliefs and practices.  Cross-list as CC 7300 and PR 7300.  Three hours.

ME 7320, Contemporary Roman Catholicism, Dr. John Nyquist

Students who enroll in this course will be exposed to the significant literature and practice of the modern Catholic Church as it is expressed through official documents and conciliar statements.  Contemporary issues and movements within the church and related to the church will be discussed and examined in the light of history and Scripture.  Three hours.

ME 7450, Christianity in the Non-Western World Since 1700*, Dr. Richard Cook

A broad overview of the significant shift of the center of Christianity from the West to Asia, Africa, and Latin America.  The social, cultural, and political context of Western missions, sending nations, and the receiving nations in Asia, Africa, and Latin America will be examined.  Consideration will be given to: the rise and fall of Western imperialism, the world wars, the interaction between the missionaries and the indigenous churches, nationalism in newly independent nations, the emergence of independent and indigenous church movements, the rise of Pentecostalism.  Cross-list as CH 7450.  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, 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, PT 5095, and one additional field education.  Credit/No Credit.  Two hours.

ME 8000, Contextualization in Encounter with Islam, Dr. Phil Parshall

Topics chosen deal with significant issues in mission and/or evangelism.  Opportunity provided for seminar discussion and for the presentation of advanced research papers.  Two hours.  [March 30-April 3]

ME 8000, Sociology of Religion, Dr. Peter Cha

Topics chosen deal with significant issues in mission and/or evangelism.  Opportunity provided for seminar discussion and for the presentation of advanced research papers.  Cross-list as ES 8000. Three hours.  [April 20-24; April 27- May 1]

ME 8312, Christian Encounter with World Religions, Dr. Harold Netland

An examination of some historical, theological, and intercultural issues in the Christian encounter with other major religions.  Historical approaches by Christian missionaries to Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism will be examined, with special emphasis on implications for such encounters today.  Three hours.

ME 8720, Sin, Guilt, Suffering, and Death, Dr. Robert Priest

A course designed to give the student an understanding of human cultural and psychological realities related to sin, shame, guilt, conscience, suffering, sickness, and death.  The goal is to integrate cultural and psychological understandings wth biblical and theological ones, and to use these understandings to communicate the gospel in a manner that is intelligible, subjectively relevant, and meaningful to people of specific cultures.  Three hours.

ME 8815, Ethnicity: Modes of Inquiry and Analysis, Dr. Tite Tienou

Participants in this seminar will employ anthropological and intercultural communication theories and analytical modes as they develop culture-specific taxonomies of ethnic variables, recognize factors that may facilitate communication or trigger conflict, and explore interfaces among theology, ethnicity, and ministry.  Three hours.

^Optional courses for the MDiv Cross-Cultural Ministry Focus
**Bible and Theology modulars for MA ICS Curricula are available this Spring (ST 5102 and NT 5100)