LCS: Cross-cultural Studies Concentration
Upon completion of the Cross-cultural Communication Concentration, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate sociocultural awareness and develop competence in cross-cultural communication.
- Develop linguistic understanding and the language-learning principles and strategies to effectively acquire a new language.
- Articulate an appreciation of a variety of world cultures, while identifying a specific cultural context to engage in future cross-cultural ministry.
- Acquire an ability to assess other cultural contexts to determine needs for Christian witness and apply appropriate methods for gospel contextualization within that context.
- Identify and analyze a wide array of cultural beliefs, value systems, and worldviews to engage people for Christ.
- Apply intercultural engagement skills to a wide range of professional settings.
What Can I Do with an LCS Degree, Cross-cultural Studies Concentration?
- Cross-cultural Missions
- Public Relations
- Social Sciences
- International Relations
- Graduate Studies in Numerous Fields
Sample Core Courses
Introduction to Linguistics
A survey of the major subfields of linguistics, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, semantics, socio-linguistics, language varieties and an introduction to the history of English. The approach to this course is practical, emphasizing problem solving and providing the field skills necessary for analyzing the structure of English and other languages as a basis for any linguistics or applied linguistics degree (e.g. Bible translation, TESOL).
Issues in Modern Missions
This course discusses the issues of cross-cultural barriers, the importance of getting the Word of God into other languages, the relationship of the missionary to the various phases of the work of evangelism, church planting, partnering, and the place of development projects as an expression of missions. Biblical underpinnings are examined.
Advanced Intercultural Communications
Theories and research relating to face-to-face communication among people from different cultural, national, ethnic, or racial backgrounds. Cultural contextualization will be examined in depth.