Courses | Doctor of Intercultural Studies

Below are some of the courses you'll have an opportunity to take as a student in this program. Take a look at the list below to get an idea of the types of available courses. Also, be sure to review the official program requirements in the Biola University catalog.

Note: This list is intended to give you a quick glimpse into the program's academic offerings, and should not be used as a guide for course selection or academic advising.

Foundational Courses (7 Credits)

ISAN 761	Culture and Transformation
The study of how cultures change, the dynamics and processes of change, the place of change agents and the speed and intensity of change. Implications of such processes are examined in social, political, economic and religious aspects of society. Grade Mode: A.
ISCL 700	Orientation to Graduate Intercultural Studies
This course introduces students to the nature, scope, and principal research methods of the graduate programs of intercultural studies at Biola University's Cook School of Intercultural Studies; including using the library, locating and evaluating relevant literature, and following the APA style guide. Grade Mode: A.
ISCL 709	Intercultural Communication
This course examines theories and issues related to intercultural communication, including principles and processes of communicating from one culture to another, and it identifies strategies for effective interaction among members of different cultures. Grade Mode: A.
ISCL 742	History of the World Christian Movement
A review of literature that traces the spread and development of Christianity as a world movement, from Pentecost to the modern era. Special attention is given to the kind(s) of Christianity that spread; the process(es) by which it spread; the effect Christianity had on the socio-cultural/political environment(s); and the effect environment had on Christianity and its subsequent development. Grade Mode: A.
ISCL 765	Cross-Cultural Leadership
Cross-cultural study of leadership including diverse patterns of authority, legitimacy, public support, leadership recruitment, and training as they affect communication, church growth and development worldwide. Grade Mode: A.

Bible/Theology Courses (6 Credits)

ISCL 722	Spiritual Conflicts in Crosscultural Context
Reviews the historical and contemporary worldview beliefs in the existence and activity of spiritual beings or forces often encountered by the cross-cultural worker. A theology of spirits is developed to help establish theoretical and practical guidelines for appropriate understanding of and response to spiritual beliefs and potential conflicts encountered in various cross- cultural setting. Grade Mode: A.
ISCL 724	Issues in Spiritual Warfare
A multi-disciplinary examination of the leading practices of, and contemporary interest in deliverance ministries, inner-healing prayer therapies, Satanism, dissociative identity disorders, recovered memories and ritual abuse. Grade Mode: A.
ISCL 744	Narrative in Scripture and Teaching
An investigation and demonstration of the narrative/story genre in teaching and curricula design. Students participate in story telling, design a seminar on story telling, and develop a series of culturally relevant lessons using narrative medium in areas such as business, community development, evangelism, leadership and followership development, ESL, drama, counseling, church planting. Grade Mode: A.
ISCL 751	Theology of Mission
An examination of the theological foundations of mission derived from a study of the history of salvation. This will encompass a study of the mission given to Israel and to the Church including some interaction with contemporary theologies of mission. Grade Mode: A.
ISCL 752	Acts: Biblical and Missiological
This course will focus on the historical, cultural and theological content leading the student toward mastery of the book of Acts. This will be followed by a discussion of cogent missiological themes, such as evangelism, power encounter, contextualization and the supernatural in missions. Grade Mode: A.

Research Courses (6 Credits)

ISCL 872	Foundations of Doctoral Research
Prepares students to undertake doctoral studies with the final dissertation already in view. Introduction to the dissertation process, including the selection and delimitation of a researchable dissertation topic, strategies in library research, mapping a literature review, rudimentary research design and issues of form and style with particular attention to proper attribution of sources. Grade Mode: A.
ISCL 879	Research Design
This course explores qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research design in the social sciences. It equips doctoral students to select and describe appropriate research methods and procedures for their doctoral dissertation.
ISCL 883	Action-Reflection Research Design
This course exposes students to the principles and practices of Action-Reflection Research with a view of equipping them to design research projects involving conceptually sound planning, collaborative implementation, and critical reflection as the capstone piece of their doctoral program.

Capstone Project (4 Credits)

ISCL 880	Doctoral Dissertation/Capstone Project
Normally a student must take a minimum of two credits for up to a maximum of 4 semesters to be considered full time. Notes: The student will be considered full-time for a maximum of four semesters. Grade Mode: D.
ISCL 881	Doctoral Dissertation/Capstone Project Proposal
After completing the coursework, the student begins work to finalize the proposal, which includes selecting a chair and a committee, attaining PHRRC permission, successfully defending the proposal to the committee, and making all pre-field research arrangements. Once all these steps are completed, the student is cleared to begin actual field research.

Specialization Courses (18 Credits)

ISAN 721	Anthropological Theory in Practice
An examination of the theories and principle figures who have contributed to the development of modern anthropological inquiry and the manner in which such theories have affected contemporary usage in missiological inquiry and cross-cultural research. Grade Mode: A.
ISAN 731	Culture, Cognition and World View
An examination of the role of ideas in the formation, maintenance and/or stimulus for change in cultures. Includes a study of the development of anthropological theories and methods for understanding cultural knowledge and issues relating to cognition, culture and meaning. Grade Mode: A.
ISAN 751	Social Anthropology
Examination of the manner in which people in culture organize human relationships, allocate power, distribute labor, and work to sustain the well-being of the society. Grade Mode: A.
ISAN 761	Culture and Transformation
The study of how cultures change, the dynamics and processes of change, the place of change agents and the speed and intensity of change. Implications of such processes are examined in social, political, economic and religious aspects of society. Grade Mode: A.
ISCL 702	Social Organization
Cross-cultural study of the basic human groups of family, kin and community, engaging the student in field methodology and research, and application of principles and data of social organization to mission strategy. Grade Mode: A.
ISCL 703	Curriculum Design for Intercultural Contexts
Equips students to design appropriate curricula for any and all educational settings. Students learn in particular to apply principles of instructional design to teaching and learning in intercultural contexts. Grade Mode: A.
ISCL 727	Principles of Church Multiplication
Exploration of the foundational issues related to cross-cultural church multiplication. A holistic approach (through teams) that is designed to empower nationals to minister immediately, responsibly and continually, along with personal investigation of spiritual gifts, skills and life experience. Grade Mode: A.
ISCL 732	Church Planting Models and Strategies
A survey and analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of various church planting models and strategies used around the world. Identifies key factors which the church planter can implement in a context specific, phase-out oriented church planting strategy. Grade Mode: A.
ISCL 735	Principles of Church Growth
A basic understanding of church growth concepts as related both to the local congregations and to the task of worldwide evangelization, with due emphasis on the church growth school of thought. Grade Mode: A.
ISCL 742	History of the World Christian Movement
A review of literature that traces the spread and development of Christianity as a world movement, from Pentecost to the modern era. Special attention is given to the kind(s) of Christianity that spread; the process(es) by which it spread; the effect Christianity had on the socio-cultural/political environment(s); and the effect environment had on Christianity and its subsequent development. Grade Mode: A.
ISCL 750	Issues in Contextualization/Crosscultural Theology
The application of crosscultural communication principles to the study of theology, critique and evaluation of such theologies and the design and implementation of culture specific theologies for various cultures. Grade Mode: A.
ISCL 765	Cross-Cultural Leadership
Cross-cultural study of leadership including diverse patterns of authority, legitimacy, public support, leadership recruitment, and training as they affect communication, church growth and development worldwide. Grade Mode: A.
ISCL 801	Method and Theory in Cross-Cultural Studies
Examines the strategies and underlying theories behind the multiplicity of organized efforts to introduce change to the world by NGO's and faith-based organizations. Grade Mode: A.
ISCL 852	Contemporary Issues in Cognitive Anthropology and Worldview Studies
An in-depth analysis of contemporary developments in the study of the role of cognition in cultural processes, value formation, and cultural change including an analysis of theoretical approaches to the study of cognitive anthropology. Grade Mode: A.
ISCL 853	Theoretical Issues in Cross-Cultural Engagement
An examination of the manner in which social science and anthropological theories have impacted popular culture, political policy, missionary activities, and cross-cultural engagements. Grade Mode: A.