TL501: Syllabus FACULTY INFORMATION

TL501: Syllabus page 2

TL501: Syllabus FACULTY INFORMATION

Winter 2011 Instructor: Paula Benson, MDiv

January 10 - March 21 Bethel Seminary

Monday: 5:30p-7:30p (Mod W1&2)

8:00p-10:00p (Mod W3) Cell Phone: 763-229-0020

TL501: Culture and Ministry – Course Syllabus (SemPM)

COURSE DESCRIPTION:

The mission statement of Bethel Seminary begins, “The passion of Bethel Seminary is to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ among all people in culturally sensitive ways.” This course is focused on how we can fulfill this mission, i.e., how we can minister effectively to all people in light of their cultural context.

This course constitutes a biblically grounded examination of culture as the context of all ministry. We will apply an understanding of culture to the global mandate of the church, and examine how one’s cultural identity influences spiritual and personal growth as well as leadership potential. Students will be exposed to various cultural perspectives in order to understand how cultural dynamics and worldview shape and influence intercultural relations and communication. Throughout the course, students will be encouraged to grow in their understanding of culture in general, in awareness of their own culture, and in appreciation for the culture of others. The goal of this growth is to be prepared for more effective intercultural experience, interaction, and ministry, both within the church and in the society around us.

GENERAL COURSE OBJECTIVES:

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

1.  Articulate a Biblical vision of culture and ministry.

2.  Identify cultural values or patterns that influence intercultural relations, communication, and ministry.

3.  Develop greater cultural self-awareness.

4.  Develop a greater understanding and appreciation of the culture of others.

5.  Identify problems that may exist in a culturally diverse ministry context.

6.  Develop strategies for solving problems that may exist in a culturally diverse ministry context.

REQUIRED TEXTS:

·  Hofstede, Gert Jan, Paul B. Pedersen and Geert Hofstede, Exploring Culture: Exercises, Stories And Synthetic Cultures. Intercultural Press, 2002. ISBN 1-877864-90-0.

·  Lingenfelter, S. G. and M. Mayers. Ministering Cross-Culturally: An Incarnational model for Personal Relationships, 2nd edition. Baker, 2003. ISBN 0-8010-2647-4.

·  Sheffield, Dan, The Multicultural Leader: Developing a Catholic Personality. Clements Publishing, 2005. ISBN 1-894667-30-1.

·  Woodley, Randy, Living in Color: Embracing God’s Passion for Ethnic Diversity. InterVarsity, 2004. ISBN 0-8308-3255-6.

REQUIRED INSTRUMENTS & ARTICLES:

  Milton J. Bennett, “Towards Ethnorelativism: A Developmental Model of Intercultural Sensitivity” in Education for the Intercultural Experience, R. Michael Paide, ed., Intercultural Press, Inc., 1993.

  T. Wayne Dye, “Towards a Cross-Cultural Definition of Sin” in Missiology (4:1) January 1976.

  Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI). Intercultural Communications Institute: Portland, Oregon (www.intercultural.org / www.idiinventory.com).

  Film: The Ron Clark Story.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS:

*Class Participation

This includes completing the weekly reading assignments and demonstrating that you are engaging in the material during class discussions. Regular and on-time class attendance is necessary for learning. Unexcused absences beyond one class period will result in a grade reduction

*Intercultural Experience Profile – due January 24

Briefly describe your life’s experience prior to this course as it relates to people of a different group than yours -- ethnically, racially, religiously, etc. What group(s) did you interact with and what was the extent of your interaction? What were the high points and what were the low points of your experience? What do you see as some of the issues that are related to intercultural relations based on your experience? (2-3 pages)

*Moodle Discussions/Interactions – due January 17, 31 / February 14, 28 / March 7

As a class we will discuss via Moodle 2 books (Hofstede, Lingenfelter), 1 article (Dye) and 2 films (The Ron Clark Story & TBD). You will read/watch the material to be discussed and then thoughtfully respond to the discussion points found in the Discussion forum on Moodle. Along with your original response you are to respectfully interact with at least 3-5 other classmates or the instructor. This procedure will be used for each of the materials.

*Book Response (2 total) – due February 7, 21

Write a (2-3 page) response paper for the texts Woodley & Sheffield. Please make these papers a response to the texts and not a summary. This assignment should include the following:

(1) a critical evaluation noting contributions of significance to the task of ministering & leading within an intercultural context; and

(2) a discussion of how the insights discerned through reading this text can assist in one’s intercultural development.

*Integrative Research Project – due March 21

For this paper, you will observe, and interact with a different cultural group. This paper (12-15 pages total) should have four parts:

Part One. A personal, Biblically informed reflection on the relationship between culture and ministry. Incorporate the readings and class discussions. This should include what needs to be true of us, both in terms of spiritual formation and in terms of leadership skills, in order to undertake “successful” (please define!) contextualization of ministry in a cultural context.

Part Two. Using either Hofstede’s Value Dimensions or Lingenfelter’s Model of Basic Values, describe what you observed from your experience with another culture. Choose only a few dimensions or values to highlight; then explore them as thoroughly as possible. Point out what made you uncomfortable and what you were drawn to. Do not make judgments but offer possible explanations for differences based on the course material. Reflect on your initial reactions to this group and what you learned about yourself in this process. Also include how the values or dimensions aided you in your work.

Part Three. Reflect on challenges and ministry possibilities among the cultural group you engaged with. With your current ministry setting (or potential ministry setting) in mind, discuss how you are culturally different from this group and what areas you would need to adjust (contextualize) in order to minister effectively here. What would your ministry dreams/desires/objectives be for this cultural group? How would that impact your current ministry?

Part Four. Reflect on what you have learned throughout this course. What has made the most impact in terms of how you interact/minister/lead interculturally? How have you grown personally through this study of culture and ministry? How does (or will) what you have learned impact the way you minister/lead? Recalling the Bennett article, describe one or two steps that you personally can take to increase your intercultural development.

**This assignment has been identified as a required integrative assignment that you may wish to review and reference in future integrative coursework.

Course Grading:

Class Participation 10%

Intercultural Experience Profile 10%

Blackboard Discussions 20%

Book Responses – 2 total (10% each) 20%

Integrative Research Project 38%

Course Evaluation 2%

A total of 100 points is possible. Each assignment/grading category reflects both the percentage of the class grade, as well as the number of points possible for the assignment/category. A final grade of “A” (95-100) is reflective of an extremely high demonstrated quality level for graduate studies with reference to the areas of (a) class preparation-participation, and (b) accomplishment of the course assignments according to the stated criteria for each assignment.

A final grade of “B” (85-87) is reflective of an average demonstrated quality level for graduate studies for these categories. A final grade of “C” (75-77) is reflective of a below average demonstrated quality level for graduate studies for these categories.

The course grade will be the total of all assignments, based on the scale below:

A……95-100 B……85-87 C……75-77 D……65-67

A-…..92-94 B-…..82-84 C-…..72-74 D-…..62-64

B+….88-91 C+….78-81 D+….68-71 F……Below 62

Expected Work Quality

All written work must be of the highest quality in accordance with graduate level standards of Bethel College & Seminary. Since writing skills are particularly important, it is stressed so that you communicate in a clear, complete, concise and logical manner. You must provide footnote references and due credit to outside sources that can be verified. Please refer to the Turabian Style Manual for the proper format, citation, and styles to use.

Each assignment will be graded based around the following areas:

(1) Quality of Writing

(2) Quality of Content,

(3) Quality of Interaction with the course material and relevant literature,

(4) And finally: Did you specifically engage the assignment? Did you address the questions and/or particulars of the assignment as they were posed? Did you do what the assignment asked?

Submission Guidelines: All papers are to be submitted electronically. Please utilize the following format for labeling all of your submitted work: “Your Last Name.Initial of Your First Name.TL501.Assignment Name” (ex: Benson.P.TL501.Woodley Book Response).

Please type in Times New Roman 12 point font, double-spaced.

All papers must be turned in by the due date.

Academic Course Policies: Please familiarize yourself with the catalog requirements as specified in the Academic Course Policies document found in Moodle. You are responsible for this information, and any academic violations, such as plagiarism, will not be tolerated.

COURSE SCHEDULE:

DATE TOPIC ** ASSIGNMENTS DUE

**The instructor reserves the right to adjust topics per the needs of the class/course. Notice will be given in class and on Moodle of any such changes.