Overview

The anthropology concentration will enable students to face the challenges of our increasingly complex world with cultural sensitivity and a perspective for interaction. Students in this concentration will reflect upon the nature of culture, how anthropological awareness imparts intercultural dialogue, the need for cultural understanding as globalization shrinks the world, and the affect of culture on enabling missions.

Courses Available

*MB 500 Culture and Transformation. This course examines issues of culture awareness, cultural blindness, and the role of the gospel in bringing about transformation in cultural settings. CSCC. Lingenfelter

**MB 507 Resolving Cultural and Religious Conflict.  This course explores the role of culture and religion in conflict resolution, with attention to both theories and practices and their applications to Christian ministries. Reisacher

*MB 520 Anthropology. Introduction to cultural anthropology with special attention to the application of an anthropological perspective to Christian mission. ISCC., optional  Th.MCC. Shaw

ºMB 522 Social Anthropology. Study of principles of social anthropology, including social structures/networks, worldview and economic concerns.  Principles are applicable in urban and rural cultures.  Prerequisite: MB520. Shaw

*MB 529 Intercultural Attachment: Building Relationships Across Cultures. Explores the dynamics involved when people from different cultures interact with one another, the changes they undergo and what facilitates and hinders attachment.  It is designed for student with no previous psychological or neurobiological training to improve their understanding and skills in relating with people from other cultures. Reisacher

*MB530 Language/Culture Learning and Mission. Skills are developed in language/culture learning techniques and in phonetics. Lectures and discussion focus on principles and perspectives for successful learning. Field work gives opportunity to test and refine skills. ISCC, Th.MCC., MIN8, GLBL. Brewster

**MB 560 Methods of Observing/Interpreting Culture. Designed to equip those working cross-culturally to discern and describe the structures of society and church. Techniques of interviewing, observing and documenting. Prerequisite: MB520. Meets research requirements for ICS students. Shaw

* Normally offered once per year
** Normally offered every other year
º Offered on an irregular basis

Other Recommended Courses for this Concentration

ME 506  Communicating the Gospel Crossculturally
ME 518  Exegeting a Musical Culture
ML 537  Leaders and Church in Culture
ML 538  Cross-Cultural Leadership
MP 520  Transforming Contemp. Culture-Macro
MR 520  Popular Religious Beliefs and Practices
PH 504  Christian Worldview/ Contemp. Challenges
ST 512  Theol. Anthropology/Revelation of God
ST 552  A. Kuyper’s Theology of Culture
ST 560  Theology and Culture
Other MB courses may also fulfill concentration. See advisor for details.

Vocational Placement

In today's increasingly multicultural world, the value of graduate-level training in anthropology cannot be overestimated.  Not only has anthropology been a staple discipline for missiologists for more than 30 years, it has increasingly become a topic for significant study in every area of professional work.  Graduate-level training in anthropology is an essential component of every degree here in the School of Intercultural Studies.