Courses | M.A. in Intercultural Studies
Below are the course requirements for this academic program. For more program details, including graduation requirements and learning outcomes, visit Biola's academic catalog.
Program Description
The M.A. in Intercultural Studies is a 39-credit program. For the qualified applicant with extensive undergraduate work in intercultural studies/missions, it may be reduced to a minimum of 30 credits.
Curriculum Requirements
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Program Courses | ||
| ISAN 761 | Culture and Transformation | 3 |
| or ISCL 711 | Dynamics of the Religious Experience | |
| ISCL 520 | Interpersonal and Intercultural Adjustment | 3 |
| or ISCL 709 | Intercultural Communication | |
| ISCL 742 | History of the World Christian Movement | 3 |
| ISCL 750 | Issues in Contextualization/Cross-Cultural Theology | 3 |
| or ISCL 751 | Theology of Mission | |
| ISCL 695 | Master of Arts Comprehensive Examination | 0 |
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Ethnographic Research Methods | ||
| Economic Anthropology | ||
| Social Anthropology | ||
| Graduate Research in Intercultural Studies | ||
| Bible/Theology Courses | ||
| Students may select Bible/Theology courses from a wide range of courses taught by the faculty at Talbot School of Theology. Students with no formal biblical/theological training prior to entering the program must have the selection approved by the program director. Students may also select: | 6 | |
| Theology of Culture | ||
| Spiritual Conflicts in Cross-Cultural Context | ||
| Issues in Spiritual Warfare | ||
| Narrative in Scripture and Teaching | ||
| Theology of Mission | ||
| Acts: Biblical and Missiological | ||
| Topics in Biblical Theology from a Missiological Perspective | ||
| Elective Courses | ||
| Select 18 credits of advisor-approved electives 1 | 18 | |
| Total Credits | 39 | |
- 1
Students who do not have to take required electives are encouraged to choose a combination of electives most suitable for their career goals. Students may also choose to focus electives in areas of specialization such as anthropology, missiology, cross-cultural education, Bible and theology, Bible translation, linguistics, TESOL, church planting, cross-cultural health care, urban ministries, etc. Students desiring a graduate certificate in TESOL in conjunction with their intercultural studies degree must also apply to the Department of ALT.
Students who are not proficient in a second language will also be required to take one of the courses listed below as a required elective. (Proficiency standards for a second language will be determined by the M.A. advisor in consultation with intercultural studies faculty. See student handbook for standards.)
Students who have not previously taken a course in cultural anthropology will be required to take the course below as a required elective.