ME506/606: Communicating the Gospel Cross-Culturally (4 units)

Roberta R. King, Associate Professor of Communication and Ethnomusicology

Fall 2007 Pasadena

DESCRIPTION:

This course provides the student with a study of the principles and processes of communicating from one society to another. It focuses particularly on the communication of the Gospel and the relevance of the Incarnation as God's model for intercultural communication.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will

1. develop a working knowledge of principles and procedures of communicating from one culture to another,
2. gain an in-depth understanding of God's model of communication and its implications for effective
communication today,
3. become familiar with foundational concepts and skills underlying the effective introduction of innovation in a society, and
4. acquire an ability to successfully apply these insights to communicating the Gospel within varying cultural contexts.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will meet one evening each week for 3 hour sessions. This is an interactive course based on mini-lectures, class discussions, small-group projects, and instructional exercises.

REQUIRED READING: If you have previously read any of the required texts, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading list or a book approved by the instructor.

1. Adler, Ronald B. and George Rodman. Understanding Human Communication. 9 Ed., New York: Oxford University Press, 2006.
2. Finnegan, Ruth. Communicating: The Multiple Modes of Human Interconnection. New York: Routledge, 2002.
3. Kraft, Charles H. Communication Theory for Christian Witness. (Revised) New York: Orbis, 1991.
4. Smith, Donald H. Creating Understanding: A Handbook for Christian Communication across Cultural Landscapes. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1991.

RECOMMENDED READING:

1. Dodd, Carley H. Dynamics of Intercultural Communication. (5th edition or most recent). Boston: McGraw-Hill, 1998.
2. Gudykunst, William B., Ed. Cross-Cultural and Intercultural Communication. Thousand Oaks. CA: Sage Publications, 2003.
3. Lingenfelter, Sherwood and Marvin Mayers. Ministering Cross-Culturally. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 1986.
4. McCluhan, Marshall and Bruce Powers. The Global Village Transformations in World Life and Media in the 21st Century. Oxford University Press, 1989.
5. Samovar, Larry A., Richard E. Porter and Edwin R. McDaniel. Intercultural Communication: A Reader. Thomson Learning, 2006.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Write 15 proposition summaries (250 words each) with specific application/stories from ministry.
2. A 1,250-word communication case study: an analysis of a cross-cultural ministry situation with possible strategies for communicating the Gospel more effectively.
3. A 2,500-4,000-word page term paper.
4. Th.M. Students: A 5,000-word term paper.

FINAL EXAM: None.

PREREQUISITES: 3 years of cross-cultural ministry experience or ME500.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet core competency for M.A. Intercultural Studies program (ISCC).

Last Date Edited: 20 June 2007