Course Descriptions
B.S. in Intercultural Studies
BIB1205 Biblical Foundations for Ministry (3 units – 5 weeks)
This opening course in the Christian Ministry and Intercultural Studies Majors lays a practical and theological foundation for students’ ministry studies. It begins with an overview of the Christian Ministry and Intercultural Studies programs, continues with an introduction to culture, and concludes with an overview of the Story of Scripture that focuses on God’s mission to the nations as the foundation for ministry. Recommended: The faculty requires Intercultural Studies majors and recommends that Christian Ministry majors complete SSC4400 Cultural Anthropology sometime during their B.S. program—preferably before entering their Major Course Sequence. The faculty also highly recommends that Intercultural Studies students complete SSC3325 sometime during the B.S. program. (Please note that Cultural Anthropology is a prerequisite for Methods of Discovering Culture.) Special Considerations: Christian Ministry and Intercultural Studies Majors must take BIB1205 first because it lays a foundation for the remainder of their Major Course Sequence. Such students may not substitute transfer courses for BIB1205. [CM & ICS Majors]
BIB2130 Gospels of the Kingdom (3 units – 5 weeks)
Students explore the four canonical Gospels as witnesses to Christ. The course emphasizes Jesus’ person and mission as reflected in major christological titles, his proclamation of God’s Kingdom in his words and deeds, the meaning and significance of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and Kingdom values in personal discipleship. [CM & ICS Majors]
BIB2230 Interpreting Scripture (3 units – 5 weeks)
This course introduces basic interpretive principles, tools, and methods leading to the skillful use of Scripture in ministry. It places special emphasis on understanding the various genres, or types of literature, found in the Bible. [CM & ICS Majors]
BIB2320 Old Testament Themes (3 units – 5 weeks)
Students explore major biblical themes in the context of the rich history and genres of the Old Testament. Examples include the themes of covenant in the Pentateuch, social justice in the Prophets, worship in the Psalms, and the character of God revealed throughout Scripture. The course focuses on the relevance of Old Testament insights for building contemporary Christian communities guided by the Lord. [CM & ICS Majors]
BIB2700 Servant Leadership Theory (3 units – 5 weeks)
Students develop a biblical theology of servant leadership modeled after Christ. They also reflect on Christian leadership emergence theory, or how God “grows” leaders. [CM & ICS Majors]
BIB3460 Ephesians in the Context of Pauline Theology (3 units – 5 weeks)
In his remarkable missionary endeavors, Paul demonstrated how to present the gospel as a “word on target” for diverse audiences. This course uses his Epistle to the Ephesians as the starting point for integrating theological insights of Christ’s Apostle to the Gentiles. Students will apply the principles, tools, and methods learned in Interpreting Scripture. Prerequisite: BIB2230 Interpreting Scripture. [CM & ICS Majors]
BIB3500 People of God (3 units – 5 weeks)
This course is a study of the people of God as a mission-driven community drawn “from every nation, tribe, people and language” (Rev 7:9). Topics include a biblical theology of culture and diversity, Old and New Testament images of the covenant people of God, and the priesthood of all believers. The course includes discussion of values and principles of the Restoration Movement, the Christian unity movement that formed Hope International University. [CM & ICS Majors]
BIB3600 Holy Spirit (3 units – 5 weeks)
Students learn about the Holy Spirit and the “Word-Spirit process”—that is, how God uses individuals and groups to speak His Word across cultural barriers of understanding. It includes the concepts of call, gifts of the Spirit, and divine guidance. [CM & ICS Majors]
BIB3706 Personal Development of the Intercultural Minister (3 Units – 5 Weeks)
This formational course introduces students to the pressures of working cross-culturally and suggests approaches for continuing their personal spiritual development while coping with such ministry challenges. [ICS Major]
BIB4905 Ministry in Context
[Christian Ministry and Intercultural Studies Capstone] (3 units – 5 weeks)
This interdisciplinary capstone course aims at developing a theological perspective that will guide strategic thinking in the ministry setting. It encourages students to lead the church as a mission-driven community—a movement led by God’s Spirit, continually relevant to the ministry context. The course includes a capstone project in which students demonstrate their synthesis of insights gained throughout the Christian Ministry or Intercultural Studies program. Special Considerations: This capstone course is open only to students majoring in Christian Ministry or Intercultural Studies. [CM & ICS Majors]
CHM4860 Field Practicum: Mentored Ministry (3 units – 30 weeks)
The Field Practicum allows students to integrate concepts and skills into real life ministry. It includes a series of ministry projects, appropriate to the student’s giftedness, along with reflection on those experiences. A seasoned mentor, trained and approved by the Hope faculty, provides guidance and oversight. The practicum runs concurrently with other courses taken during the last months of the Christian Ministry Major (Preaching and Teaching in Ministry through Ministry in Context) or the Intercultural Studies Major (The Intercultural Ministry through Ministry in Context), which facilitates the use of field assignments in those courses. An online eCompanion serves as the repository for documents related to the practicum. Required documentation typically includes (1) samples of work products related to the student’s ministry projects, (2) journaling on personal and spiritual development, (3) the student’s self evaluations, (4) mentoring records and reports, and (5) an academic assessment of the student’s performance. The Practicum is designed in two tracks—namely, a track for students not currently active in ministry, and a second track for students already established in ministry. Prerequisite: CHM3220 Preaching and Teaching in Ministry or COM3210 Intercultural Communication. Special Consideration: Open only to students majoring in Christian Ministry or Intercultural Studies. [CM & ICS Majors]
COM3210 Intercultural Communication (3 Units – 5 Weeks)
This course equips students to deal with the cultural dimensions of inter-ethnic communication in American society, as well as across cultures in international settings. [DIS]
ICS2300 The Intercultural Ministry (3 Units – 5 Weeks)
This course introduces students to contemporary types of cross-cultural ministry, including agents and agencies, structures, and the various roles workers may be asked to play. It includes an introduction to fundraising, networking, partnerships, and “glocal” mission. [ICS Major]
ICS3500 Strategizing for Mission (3 Units – 5 Weeks)
Students explore entry approaches, learning methods, and processes for developing strategies for successful intercultural mission work. The course includes fundamental theory and real life case studies. [ICS Major]
ICS4200 Intercultural Leadership and Teamwork (3 Units – 5 Weeks)
Students learn how to exercise cross-cultural leadership, develop intercultural leaders, build successful teams for mission, and create productive organizations that will last long after the mission worker has withdrawn. [ICS Major]
ICS4335 The Church in Context (3 Units – 5 Weeks)
Students explore how the triune influences of God’s Word, the Cultural Context, and the Christian Movement come together to develop a healthy faith community in that context. The course focuses on current trends, including proven methods for assisting and growing faith communities in the face of emerging globalism. [ICS Major]
