Courses | Ph.D. 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.
Foundational Courses (13 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 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 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. | |
Intercultural Studies Core Courses (12 Credits)
| 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. | |
| ISCL 711 | Dynamics of the Religious Experience |
| A treatment of conceptions of the supernatural, the function of religion in society, religion and social control, the nature of religious ritual and paraphernalia, sacred places and religious practitioners. 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 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. | |
Research Courses (6 Credits)
| ISCL 803 | Qualitative Research |
An introduction to qualitative inquiry with emphasis on data collection, analysis and validation methods for educational and missiological research. | |
| 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. | |
Qualifying Exams (0 Credits)
Note: Doctoral students are required to demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge of their field of study by examination. The content of the written qualifying exams includes material from the core areas of the curriculum and the student's particular specialization. These exams are normally taken at the conclusion of all the coursework.
| ISCL 865 | Qualifying Examination |
| Following the completion of coursework, the student must register for the qualifying examination. The student is considered full-time while enrolled for ISCL 865. Grade Mode: C. | |
Dissertation Writing (12 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 890 | Ph.D. Dissertation Field Research |
| Enrolling in ISCL 890 for 0 to 6 credits constitutes full-time status. However, dissertation work constitutes full-time status only for a total of four semesters. Grade Mode: D. | |
| ISCL 891 | Ph.D. Dissertation Proposal |
This course facilitates the development and refinement of the doctoral dissertation proposal through preparation, presentation and critique of proposal drafts and examination and discussion of issues related to dissertation research. | |
Bible/Theology Courses (9 Credits)
Students may select Bible/Theology courses from a wide range of theological integration courses offered by qualified faculty within the Cook School of Intercultural Studies. Students with no formal biblical/theological training prior to entering the program must have their selections approved by the program director.
Specialization Courses (9 Credits)
A total of 9 credits must be taken in Education/ICS electives and/or through the ISCL 873 Tutorial course (ISCL 873 may be taken repeatedly for 3 credits per attempt to fulfill this requirement).