Intercultural Studies, B.A.

The mission of the Intercultural Studies major of 33 semester hours of coursework is to: 1) articulate the importance of the Great Commission mandate to make disciples of all nations, 2) expose students to various cultures for the purpose of developing a caring sensitivity for all people groups, 3) integrate knowledge and skills across a missiological framework of theology, history, culture, and strategy to develop effective missions paradigms in diverse settings, 4) equip students with the skills to enter, understand, work, and minister in a cross-cultural context.

Intercultural Studies majors may pursue either the B.A. or the B.S. degree. The major requires a minor or a double major. Students are encouraged to take a double major or minor in business, communication, education, a health profession, or another area that prepares graduates to be culturally competent marketplace professionals and missionaries in an increasingly multi-cultural world.

Requirements

Intercultural Studies (ICS) is a 33-hour interdisciplinary major including 12 credit hours of practicums and internships (mission trips). This format allows students to double major in ICS and another academic discipline and still graduate in 4 years. Double major options include business, communication, education, health profession, or another area that will prepare graduates to be culturally competent marketplace professionals and missionaries in an increasingly multi-cultural world. Intercultural Studies is ideal for students desiring biblically faithful and culturally relevant equipping for Kingdom service globally or within the United States.

To fulfill language requirements, the student may elect any one of the following options: 1) 12 hours of Greek, 2) 12 hours of Hebrew, 3) six hours of Greek and six hours of Hebrew, or 4) 12 hours in a modern language (i.e. Spanish or Arabic).

Required courses include

REL 273 - Biblical Hermeneutics Credit Hours: 3
REL 310 - Principles and Practices of Missions Credit Hours: 3
REL 470 - The Life and Work of William Carey, D.D. Credit Hours: 3
REL 284 - Intercultural Field Experience Credit Hours: 3
REL 461 - Race, Culture and the Church Credit Hours: 3
REL 497 - Intercultural Studies Internship Credit Hours: 9
REL 324 - Systematic Theology I Credit Hours: 3
or
REL 424 - Systematic Theology II Credit Hours: 3
Six hours of REL courses Credits / Units: 6

Arabic Language

Students majoring in Cross-cultural Business Management or double majoring in Intercultural Studies and a professional field will be able to receive language and cultural training in the Middle Eastern country of Jordan. Notwithstanding, anyone at WCU, regardless of major, is eligible for this program.

Completion of 12 hours of Arabic language (6 at the intermediate level) will meet language requirement in the B.A. core.

Students would have three options to complete Arabic Studies. First, students will have the option to study for three summers to complete their language and culture requirements. Second, students will have the option of taking the first two courses on campus and completing the other two courses in one summer in Jordan. Third, students will have an option to live in Jordan for six to ten months to complete all requirements. (The third option is highly suggested. Immersion has proven to have the best results).

Student Learning Outcomes:

• Students will gain practical knowledge of Arab language, history, traditions, and culture.

• Students will gain comparative insight between his or her worldview and the Arab worldview.

• Students will gain personal experience to identify and cope with culture shock and cultural immersion in a safe environment.

• Students will demonstrate marked progression in reading, hearing, speaking, and writing Arabic.

• Students will possess a basic grasp of the major tenses of Arabic.

• Students will reach, at minimal, the intermediate-low level of language proficiency, as assessed by their field supervisor.

• Assessment and language evaluation will utilize American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) and Oral Proficiency Assessment (OPI).

ARB 101 - Contemporary Arabic 1 Credit Hours:
ARB 102 - Contemporary Arabic 2 Credit Hours: 3
ARB 201 - Contemporary Arabic 3 Credit Hours: 3
ARB 202 - Contemporary Arabic 4 Credit Hours: 3