Understanding Cultures and Worldviews Syllabus

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1 Understanding Cultures and Worldviews Syllabus Course Version: PDF created on Apr 27, 2015

2 This course references the names and publicly available information of certain companies, products, and organizations. Any use of such name or such information about a company is solely for educational purposes. Any such reference to such other companies, products and organizations is not intended to imply any endorsement by or of such other companies, products or organizations. Although all referenced information was taken from publicly available sources, no representation is made regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information. This course may also use fictitious events, scenarios, and characters. Any similarity between such fictional characters and actual persons, living or dead, is also unintentional and purely coincidental. Information contained in the course materials may appear in publications external to Columbia International University courses. A bibliographical citation or other attribution indicates use by Columbia International University of the contributor's work either as a publicly available reference and research resource or under an agreement with the owner of the work and constitutes material distinct and separate from that originally created by or for Columbia International University. No copyright is claimed in such works in and of themselves. This course may contain video clips of persons discussing certain topics. Any opinions or statements expressed in the video clips are those of the person expressing them and not those of Columbia International University. No representation is made that any such statements or opinions are accurate or complete. Columbia International University will not be responsible or liable for any claims relating to such statements or opinions. The information contained in this course is academic in nature and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or other advice on specific issues or fact patterns or otherwise. A competent professional should be consulted whenever legal services or other professional assistance is required.

3 Understanding Cultures and Worldviews Syllabus Page 3 GLS 6515: Understanding Cultures and Worldviews GLS 6515: Understanding Cultures and Worldviews takes place over eight weeks. Read about important course policies related to learning outcomes, expectations, and assessment criteria. Late Submission Policy Class work is to be turned in by 5:00 PM on the day it is due, unless otherwise prearranged with the professors. Late papers will not be accepted. Faculty Contact Information Your faculty member will provide you with the preferred method of contact during this course. Additional readings, not listed here are required for the course. The faculty member will post details on how these are to be acquired as necessary. Course Materials The following textbooks are required for this course: Bennett, Shane, Kim Felder and Steve Hawthorne. Exploring the Land: Discovering Ways for Unreached Peoples to Follow Christ. Colorado: In House Publication, ISBN: Cashin, David. Worldview Evangelism: The Seven Essential Questions of Life. private publication, Course Samples The following represents samples from previous courses, which may be helpful for you as you complete your work for this course: Please view Surperlative Ethnographic Reports on page 17 Also provided below is Biblical Worldviews ethnography by Dr. David Cashin and Dr. Markus Klausli: Biblical Worldview Sample (This file or document can only be

4 Understanding Cultures and Worldviews Syllabus Page 4 Schedule and Grading Each week of this course may include readings and several assignments. Unless otherwise noted, all assignments are due before midnight (Eastern Time) on the specified due date. Unit 1: Defining the Ethnographic Task Assignment Grade Weight Due Date 1a: Discussion 3.5% Thursday, March 26 1b: People Group Selection Proposal 1% Thursday, March 26 1c: Short Essay 3.5% Thursday, March 26 Readings Bennett, Felder and Hawthorne, Exploring the Land: Discovering Ways for Unreached Peoples to Follow Christ, pp Cashin, Worldview Evangelism: The Seven Essential Questions of Life, pp Unit 2: Developing the Ethnographic Structures Assignment Grade Weight Due Date 2a: Strategy of Approach 2b: Case Study Discussion 2c: Paper Outline and Bibliography 2d: Case Study Discussion 1% Thursday, April 2 3.5% Thursday, April 2 1% Thursday, April 2 3.5% Thursday, April 2 Readings Bennett, Felder and Hawthorne, Exploring the Land: Discovering Ways

5 Understanding Cultures and Worldviews Syllabus Page 5 for Unreached Peoples to Follow Christ, pp Unit 3: Designing the Ethnographic Paper Assignment Grade Weight Due Date 3a: Ethnographic Notes 3b: Case Study Discussion 3.5% Thursday, April 9 2.5% Thursday, April 9 3c: Short Essay 2.5% Thursday, April 9 3d: Ethnography Progress Report 1% Thursday, April 9 Readings Bennett, Felder and Hawthorne, Exploring the Land: Discovering Ways for Unreached Peoples to Follow Christ, pp , (review). Unit 4: Contextualization: Getting the Lay of the Land Assignment Grade Weight Due Date 4a: Paper 2% Wednesday, April 15 4b: Discussion 1% Saturday, April 18 4c: Biblical Applications 2% Saturday, April 18 Readings Ott, Craig and Stephen J. Strauss. Encountering Theology of Mission: Biblical Foundations, Historical Developments, and Contemporary Issues (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2010), pp Larkin, William J. Greek is Great Gain: A Method for Exegesis and Exposition (Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock, 2008), pp

6 Understanding Cultures and Worldviews Syllabus Page 6 Matthew 28:16-20 Unit 5: Challenges in Contextualization Assignment Grade Weight Due Date 5a: Paper 8% Saturday, April 25 5b: Discussion 1% Wednesday, April 29 5c: Apologetic Topic 1% Saturday, May 2 Readings Moreau, Scott. Contextualization in World Missions: Mapping and Assessing Evangelical Models (Grand Rapids: Kregel Academic, 2012), pp Priest, Robert G. "Missionary Elenctics: Conscience and Culture," from Missiology 22.3 (July 1994): pp Cooper, Michael T. "Post-Constantinian Missions: Lessons from the Resurgence of Paganism," from Contextualization and Syncretism, Gailyn Van Rheenen, ed., Evangelical Missiological Society Series, vol 13 (Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 2006), pp Smither, Edward L. Mission in the Early Church: Themes and Reflections (Eugene, OR: Cascade Books, 2014), pp Woodberry, Dudley. "To the Muslim I Became a Muslim," from Contextualization and Syncretism, Gailyn Van Rheenen, ed., Evangelical Missiological Society Series, vol 13 (Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 2006), pp Unit 6: Doing Contextualization Assignment Grade Weight Due Date 6a: Contextualization Prospectus 2.5% Saturday, May 9 6b: Discussion 1% Wednesday, May 13

7 Understanding Cultures and Worldviews Syllabus Page 7 6c: Final Contextualization Paper Complete/Incomplete Saturday, May 16 Readings Flemming, Dean. Contextualization in the New Testament: Patterns for Theology and Mission (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2005), pp Hiebert, Paul G. "Critical Contextualization," from the International Bulletin of Missionary Research (1987): pp Larkin, William J. Culture and Biblical Hermeneutics (Lantham: University Press of America, 1993), pp Unit 7: Apologetic Point and Presentation Assignment Grade Weight Due Date 7a: Apologetic Point 7b: Taxonomic Analysis 7c: Narrated Presentation 2.5% Thursday, May 7 2.5% Thursday, May 7 10% Thursday, May 7 Readings Bennett, Felder and Hawthorne, Exploring the Land: Discovering Ways for Unreached Peoples to Follow Christ, Chapter 1, pp. 64-6, 66-74, 74-9, (review). Unit 8: Final Paper Assignment Grade Weight Due Date 8: Final Ethnographic Report 40% Sunday, May 17 Readings Bennett, Felder and Hawthorne, Exploring the Land: Discovering Ways

8 Understanding Cultures and Worldviews Syllabus Page 8 for Unreached Peoples to Follow Christ, Chapter 1, pp. 64-6, 66-74, 74-9, (review).

9 GLS 6515: Understanding Cultures and Worldviews: Course Policies Description GLS 6515: Understanding Cultures and Worldviews will enable you to understand the worldview assumptions, which are foundational to a person's belief systems and behavior patterns. You will analyze the culture and worldview of an ethno-linguistic or socio-economic grouping of people from a biblical worldview perspective. You will also consider elements of biblical contextualization. Program Outcomes After completing this program, you should be able to initiate relationships with persons of other cultures for the purpose of both understanding their needs and effectively sharing the good news of Jesus Christ. describe the framework and elements that make up a cultural "worldview" and implement a strategy of personal contacts within a culture leading to a descriptive analysis of that target culture and its core assumptions. define the principles of biblical contextualization and demonstrate practical examples of their application in a specific modern cultural context. define and illustrate key terms, concepts and structures employed in the study of biblical contextualization and anthropology such as "culture" "worldview", "form", "meaning", "emic" and "etic", "critical contextualization", "general" and "special revelation" and "hermeneutical task". analyze, synthesize and evaluate cross-cultural experiences utilizing both biblical and anthropological criteria. describe the impact of worldview on apologetics as we humbly and lovingly "contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints". (Jude 1:3) demonstrate a practical grasp of the techniques of participant observation and ethnographic interviewing. Course Outcomes This course is designed to help you gain certain skills and knowledge. The overall course outcomes are listed below. After completing this course, you should be able to describe cultural worldview of a specific group. detail the analysis of worldview and application to contextual ministry. evaluate cross cultural ethnographic experiences. define worldview and its relationship to apologetics. detail techniques of participant observation and interview. Learning Outcomes Each unit in this course focuses on specific skills and knowledge that will help

10 Cultures and Worldviews: Course Policies Page 10 you achieve the overall course outcomes. The learning outcomes for each unit are listed below. Unit 1 After completing Unit 1, you should be able to define and use the concepts of ethnography, culture, and worldview. identify and initiate contact with a specific non-christian socio-economic or ethno-linguistic group. identify and evaluate the elements of a good ethnography. Unit 2 After completing Unit 2, you should be able to develop a strategy of approach for participant observation and questionnaire to be used in ethnographic interviews. identify and utilize a taxonomy of questions for ethnographic interviews. outline your ethnographic paper and bibliography. delineate epistemological structures and evaluate epistemological assumptions. Unit 3 After completing Unit 3, you should be able to produce and present ethnographic notes including "pithy" quotes. evaluate progress and adjust planning to complete the ethnography. evaluate assumptions of axiology. participate in an observation and ethnographic interview. Unit 4 After completing Unit 4, you should be able to define contextualization. explain the main goals of contextualization and the rationale for them. write applications of the Biblical text with attention to the ancient and contemporary cultural factors. Unit 5 After completing Unit 5, you should be able to describe challenges in contextualizing the Scripture. explain strategies for identifying and overcoming the challenges in contextualizing the Scripture. Unit 6

11 After completing Unit 6, you should be able to contextualize a passage of Scripture for a culture that is not your own. Unit 7 After completing Unit 7, you should be able to develop important apologetic points for evangelism and discipleship. write a taxonomy of an important feature of the culture. produce a presentation on your people/group. Unit 8 After completing Unit 8, you should be able to write a concise ethnographic report with apologetic point and contextualization. Expectations Timing GLS 6515: Understanding Cultures and Worldviews takes place over eight weeks. Some weeks may require more work than others. Individual experience may vary from week to week. Prerequisites To take this course, you must have completed BIB 5410 Hermeneutics and GLS 5110 Mission of God or ICS 5050 Perspectives on the World Christian Movement. Due dates Unless otherwise noted, all assignments are due before midnight (Eastern Time) on the specified due date. Participation Information sharing is extremely valuable in any learning experience. Your fellow students are excellent resources to tap for stories, information, and different perspectives on your project work. At the same time, they can benefit from your ideas and insights. That is why you need to participate and post questions as often as possible. If you do not participate, you and your classmates will miss out on worthwhile opportunities to enhance learning. Interaction in a virtual environment such as the discussion involves many of the skills used in face-to-face communication. Below are some tips for effective asynchronous discussion.

12 Cultures and Worldviews: Course Policies Page 12 Keep postings short and to the point. Include pieces of the original message in any response. Be respectful of others' ideas and comments. Consider what is useful in the opinion shared and how it is similar to and different from your own point of view. Post responses in a timely manner. Keep your faculty member and other students informed about any events that could affect your progress. Choose words carefully and consider how the reader might interpret them. Sometimes text may seem more harsh or critical than the spoken word. Assessment Criteria In this course, your faculty member will assess whether your work demonstrates that you have mastered the learning outcomes. For each unit, you will complete one or more assignments. For each assignment, you will receive a numerical grade ranging from 0 to 100. Each assignment grade will in turn contribute to your final course grade, according to the weight of each assignment, which is described on the Syllabus page. Your final course grade will be one of the following: Grading Scale and Rubric A A B B B C C C D D D F 0-64 Assessment criteria may differ for each unit. Be certain you understand the specific criteria on which each individual assignment will be assessed and confirm your understanding with your faculty member. Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity Statement Our students are members of an academic community founded upon principles of integrity and respect for others. It is critical that students and faculty trust one another to act with professionalism and integrity. Faculty members expect students to adhere to the following Code of Conduct: Unless the assignment description explicitly states otherwise, all work you

13 submit will be your own. You are encouraged to share ideas and questions about your work as you do it, but the work itself should not be shared. If you would like to work with others-whether other students in this course or anybody else-it is best to check first with your faculty member. In assignments and discussions, you will state your own ideas in your own words, clearly citing any borrowed words or ideas. (Exceptions would be course content or assignment instructions that ask you to apply templates, data, or information contained in the course materials or to use ideas generated in course discussions.) For a quiz or exam, you will work independently, without sharing answers with others. For a group project, you will share work with other members of your team, but not outside of your team. You will not share finished or draft work (individual or group project) with others unless you are explicitly directed to do so by course materials or your faculty member. For example, providing such work may create a situation where another individual would violate the Code of Conduct. Academic dishonesty (i.e., plagiarism and cheating) is not acceptable in this institution's community. Cases of academic dishonesty are to be reported by both faculty members and students. If a case of academic dishonesty is substantive, transgressors are subject to punitive action. "Plagiarism" as defined for the purpose of this and any courses taken at this institution is the appropriation of all or part of someone else's work (such as, but not limited to, writing, coding, programs, and images) and submitting it as one's own without proper citation. Common sources of plagiarized work include published books and articles, another student's work, free Internet websites, and websites offering academic papers for sale. "Cheating" is defined for the purpose of this course and any courses taken at this institution as using false pretenses, tricks, devices, artifices, or deception to obtain credit on an examination or assessed work in a college course. To prevent and detect cases of plagiarism and cheating, assignments turned in for any and all undergraduate and graduate courses at this institution are scanned with Turnitin plagiarism prevention software. Sanctions for plagiarism or cheating can range from failure on an individual assignment or the entire course to expulsion from the institution. Each student enrolled in a course agrees that, by taking such course, he or she consents to the submission of all required work for textual similarity review by Turnitin to detect plagiarism. Each student also agrees that all work submitted to this service may be included as source documents to that service's database, solely for the purpose of detecting plagiarism of such work. Whenever you have any doubts or questions about appropriate work processes or academic integrity standards, check with the faculty member teaching your course to clarify his or her expectations. For updates to the Code of Conduct and related disciplinary actions, refer to CIU's Student Handbook ( This course may contain video clips of persons discussing certain topics. Any opinions or statements expressed in the video clips are solely those of the

14 Cultures and Worldviews: Course Policies Page 14 person expressing them. No representation is made that any such statements or opinions are accurate or complete. The information contained in this course is academic in nature and is not intended to constitute legal, financial or other advice on specific issues or fact patterns or otherwise. A competent professional should be consulted whenever legal services or other professional assistance is required. Students have the responsibility to embrace, inquire, and refine their knowledge, critical thinking processes, skills, and talents for service to God and others. Most importantly, we expect God to participate in the learning process. His role is to transform and illumine the minds of both students and teachers and to empower all for a life of godliness and service. Academic responsibilities include, but are not limited to: the responsibility to share with the faculty in the maintenance of the integrity of scholarship, grades, and academic standards. the responsibility to learn the content of a course of study according to standards of academic performance established by the university and the faculty member for each course taken. the responsibility to promote by words, attitude, and actions a classroom atmosphere that is conducive to the teaching and learning process for all concerned and to respect the standards of conduct established by the university and each faculty member. the responsibility for class attendance and to submit all class assignments (e.g. examinations, tests, projects, reports), by scheduled due dates or accept the penalties. If any problem arises regarding coursework or attendance, the student will be responsible for initiating contact with the instructor. the responsibility for meeting degree requirements as provided in the university catalog. the responsibility to register, add, and/or drop courses in a timely manner to ensure others will have an opportunity to take courses. The student is responsible to follow the university guidelines if he/she desires an incomplete or needs to withdraw from the university. the responsibility for the financial cost of attending the university. the right to own intellectual property created in fulfillment of coursework unless specified otherwise in writing. (All revenue generated or compensation awarded through such intellectual property belongs to the owner.) Recommendations for Learning Support Students with physical, emotional, ADD, or learning disabilities who need academic accommodations should make requests through the Academic Success Center (ASC). These requests will be kept confidential. Requests may be made throughout the semester, and ideally they would be initiated as early as possible. The ASC is located on the first floor of Rossi Student Center ( , ). If you already receive services through ASC, please contact us so that we can make your academic experience in this class as successful as possible. Seminary and School of Ministry (SSM) Stylesheet The official guide for all written work in connection with this course is the SSM Stylesheet. It is based on the Chicago Manual of Style as summarized in the

15 latest edition of Kate L. Turabian, A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Theses, and Dissertations. It includes guidelines related to grammar and style, organization of papers, abbreviations and numbers, spelling, punctuation, capitalization, quotations, using Greek and Hebrew words, using and citing sources, footnotes, bibliography, and using the Internet. The instructor reserves the right to return written work that displays poor spelling, consistent grammatical errors, incorrect style, and/or poor general appearance. The basic parameters are set out in the Stylesheet. If your work is returned for any of these reasons, you may resubmit it within two weeks of its return. If you do not revise and resubmit your work, you will receive a zero for the assignment. To find an electronic copy of the Stylesheet, log in with your username and password at MyCIU ( After logging in, follow this path to download the SSM Stylesheet: Student Life > Seminary Information > Resources > Stylesheet Online resources related to Turabian eturabian ( bibme ( Chicago Manual of Style 16th Edition ( Plagiarism CIU SSM expects you to be honorable in your studies and responsible for your own academic work. Dishonesty in assignments, examinations, written papers, or other work is contrary to scriptural principles of Christian living and an affront to fellow students and your instructors. Plagiarism occurs when you present another person's ideas or words as your own, or when you intentionally or unintentionally fail to acknowledge or cite the source of the ideas you use. Acknowledging and citing sources involves placing quotation marks around all the material you have taken (or paraphrased) from books, articles, Internet sites, other students' papers, or other work you have not personally produced. It also involves listing full information about that source in a footnote or a parenthetical reference. See the SSM Stylesheet for examples of how to cite sources correctly. Specific examples of plagiarism include but are not limited to the following: Borrowing the words, sentences, ideas, conclusions, examples and/or organization of an assignment from a source (e.g., a book, an article, another student's paper, a tape/video, an Internet site) without acknowledging the source Submitting work done by another student-in part or in whole-in place of original work Submitting assignments received from the Internet, from commercial firms or from any other person or group

16 Cultures and Worldviews: Course Policies Page 16 Knowingly aiding another student in plagiarizing an assignment as defined above You may not submit work that is part of a group consultation unless it is related to an assignment your syllabus specifically indicates is to be completed as part of a group. If you study for an exam with a review group, you may not reproduce any answers that others have written and submit it as your own work. You may not share with others answers to exam questions you have composed in advance. Any of these actions will be considered plagiarism. Plagiarism will result in academic penalty, and may result in failure in the assignment, failure in the course, and further disciplinary action. When appropriate, your Student Life chaplain will be informed.

17 GLS 6515: Understanding Cultures and Worldviews: Other Resource The following ethnographic reports from previous courses demonstrate superlative work and may be modeled after for this course: Ethnographic Sample 01 (This file or document can only be The African American Community of Quail Run Apartments in Columbia, South Carolina: An Ethnographic Study Ethnographic Sample 02 (This file or document can only be Ethnography Report for Arab Muslims in Springfield Missouri Ethnographic Sample 03 (This file or document can only be China Team Ethnongraphy Paper Ethnographic Sample 04 (This file or document can only be Vietnamese Youths and Young Adults: An Ethnographic Study Ethnographic Sample 05 (This file or document can only be Ethnography of German young Adults of protestant background in rural South-Germany Ethnographic Sample 06 (This file or document can only be Hispanic Immigrants in Dallas, TX: An Ethnography Ethnographic Sample 07 (This file or document can only be Irish Students Attending University College Cork in Cork, Ireland: An Ethnographic Study Ethnographic Sample 08 (This file or document can only be Live and Let Live: An Ethnographic Portrait of Jain Householders Living in the

18 Cultures and Worldviews: Other Resource Page 18 Baltimore/Washington Area Ethnographic Sample 09 (This file or document can only be Women in the Traditional Taiwanese Village of Da Kang Lang Ethnographic Sample 10 (This file or document can only be Ethnographic Study of the Kadampa Buddhist at the Ganden Center in Columbia, SC Ethnographic Sample 11 (This file or document can only be Ethnography: LGBT Community in Columbia, SC Ethnographic Sample 12 (This file or document can only be Ethnography on Malaysian University Students Ethnographic Sample 13 (This file or document can only be Ethnographic Study: Men Living in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Ethnographic Sample 14 (This file or document can only be Ethnographic Study of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Southern Transylvania Ethnographic Sample 15 (This file or document can only be Ethnography Single Adult Professionals in Georgia Ethnographic Sample 16 (This file or document can only be Target Team Members: An Ethnographic Study Ethnographic Sample 17 (This file or document can only be "The Leavers" An Ethnographic Study of "Christians" who have Become Disillusioned with the Church and Have Left the Church or Left the Faith

19 Ethnographic Sample 18 (This file or document can only be Strategy for Ethnographic Research among Fulanis in Bamako