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FACULTY OF CULTURAL & CONTEXTUAL THEOLOGY

Studying the Gospel in Context

Merging Faith, Confession & Mission

Bachelor Degree Programs

  • Contextual Theology

Master Degree Programs

  • Contextual Theology
  • Cultural Theology in Global Cultures
  • Contextual Theology in Global Cultures
  • MDiv / Master of Theological Studies

 

CULTURAL & CONTEXTUAL THEOLOGY: ASSOCIATE

ENS2200 Earth Resources & Sustainable Development

Our civilization is heavily dependent on the extraction, transformation and utilization of Earth resources. These natural resources are not infinite, therefore the need for sustainable development. This course will cover the fundamentals of Earth resources such as coal, gold, petroleum, mineral sands, and base metals, and geothermal energy. Special emphasis will be placed on the sustainable exploitation and utilization of these and other Earth resources.

ECO2500 Intro to Urban Ecology

Introduction to Urban Ecology explores the basic principles of ecology and how those principles present themselves in urban settings. We examine the historical/present-day diversity of urban centers, including the benefits/detriments of such aggregation of peoples across various temporal and geographical scales. We will garner a sense of the "needs" related to stewarding God's creation and those needs of humanity created in these environs, in particular, the one in which we live. We also brainstorm ideas for missional outreach one can develop and implement in an effort to fulfill the "dominion principle" (Genesis 1:26-28) and to further our Lord's Kingdom.

ENG1100 Research and Academic Writing

Reinforces the overall essay writing skills. Students will focus on writing for an academic purpose. Moreover, the skills acquired in this course will prepare students for writing assignments in higher level English courses and other higher level courses across the curriculum. Students engage in extensive research writing skills such as: compiling research, paraphrasing, summarizing, including direct and indirect citations, incorporating sources within the paper, formatting using a manual style.

ETH1200 Africa: Introductory Survey

This course sets out to answer the question: Did civilizations exist in Africa prior to direct contacts with Europeans in the late 15th century? The intent is to answer the question in the affirmative by exploring diverse forms of pre-colonial African civilizations defined in terms of complex political organizations and cultural formations comparable to other world civilizations. Since seldom do civilizations emerge in an absolute vacuum, we will emphasize both the local origins of African political and social systems while considering the extent to which African civilizations borrowed from and integrated external ideas. We will also explore evidence of Africa’s contributions to other world civilizations. Through trade and religious activities, Africa participated in the global exchange of ideas and goods. Thus, contrary to popular perceptions still prevailing in some quarters in the “West,” Africa was not isolated from the rest of the world until the era of European exploration, but rather, it was part of the world wide web of commercial and cultural interactions.

ETH2220 African Civilizations: Socio-historical perspectives

This course provides an understanding of the African experience throughout history with a general overview of centers of African Civilization from antiquity through contemporary times. The major themes covered include ancient Northeast Africa, Africa’s impact on Europe, Moorish civilization, the Golden Age of West Africa, Africa and the New World, the Swahili and Africa’s decline and resurgence. The course also provides introductory knowledge of the fundamental cultural commonalities that African peoples share in the mist of linguistic and other kinds of diversity. The course also examines the influence that African Civilization has exerted on other cultures as well as the impact of cross cultural contacts on the African experience

SWK2210 Professional Social Work in Contemp Society

This course provides an overview of professional social work. It examines the historical development of the profession of social work; introduces the profession’s values, ethics, and practice principles; examines the major intervening methods of social work practice; identifies the generalist base of social work practice; and explores the social service delivery networks which comprise the social welfare system in urban environments. This course will provide a framework of knowledge, values, skills and experiences for culturally competent, ethical, and spiritually-sensitive social work practice.

YFM2200 Intro to Gerontology

This is a survey course familiarizing multiple disciplines of students with the terminology, concepts, and scope of social, cultural and health topics of importance in any type of engagement of older persons. Students will gain an intimate understanding of the theories of aging, stereotypes, lifespan aging, models of aging, and caregiving. Biopsychosocial model of aging. Additionally students will be introduced to a broad range of professional involvements serving seniors.

MED2300 Social Media for Everyday Life

This course will focus on the role social media plays in everyday life as well as the positive and negative effects it has on new media communication strategies. Students will explore their own personal brand identity Personal brands online and social media presence can either open doors of opportunity or close them. This course will allow students to explore their current online branding strategies and compare it to effective missional leadership branding strategies, as a means of sharpening the future of their personal online brand identity.

VCM1000 Intro to Visual Communications

In the last two decades, we've seen an electronic messaging evolution driven by the expansion of advanced technological devices. This "new media" use graphical interfaces to enable a new literacy of symbols, icons, color, and images that supersedes text in the transference of meaning. This shift brings focus to the power in the visual communication and the need for education on visual literacy. This course presents the fundamentals of visual communication and provides a context for understanding the subject matter in historical and present-day applications.

SWK1100 Intro to Social Work

This course provides an overview of professional social work. It examines the historical development of the profession of social work; introduces the profession’s values, ethics, and practice principles; examines the major intervening methods of social work practice; identifies the generalist base of social work practice; and explores the social service delivery networks which comprise the social welfare system in urban environments. This course will provide a framework of knowledge, values, skills and experiences for culturally competent, ethical, and spiritually-sensitive social work practice.

REL2010 Intro to Judaism

Traces the history of the Jewish religion and the communities that preserve its traditions, from its origins in ancient Israel to the present day. Consideration will be given to Judaism’s major ideas and practices as well as the diversity of Jewish cultures throughout the world. We will explore a range of classical and contemporary Jewish approaches to Biblical interpretation, theology, and views of God’s nature, ethics, ritual and spirituality, and relations with Christians.

BUS2100 Marketplace Ministry for Everyday Life

This course seeks to familiarise the student with the concept of marketplace ministry at the global marketplace,The Kingdom people - MU students - who daily engage in the marketplace in all sector of our community globally must see their world through the eyes of the Lord as the setting where they are placed as His ambassadors. to provide various models of marketplace ministries and to assist the students to impact the business world regardless of where they live and work.

COM1010 Oral Communication

The spoken word belongs half to he who speaks, and half to he who listens. - French proverb. Communication is a natural and unavoidable process - whether we interact verbally or nonverbally. Formal oral communication is improved through an understanding of the communication process, and by learning how to organize and manage the information we deliver in professional or public settings. The introduction of this course uses contemporary communication theory to outline the communication process: touching on our ability to improve personal and professional relationships using effective interpersonal communication. Building on this foundation, the course provides a step-by-step focus on the development, and delivery of effective group presentations and a model for public speaking. To highlight the crucial reciprocal aspect of oral communication, students will also consider the role of the listener. This integrates the practice of planning and delivering a presentation, with analysis and evaluation of the presentation techniques of other speakers.

CULTURAL & CONTEXTUAL THEOLOGY: BACHELOR

three small decorative stones, one with three crosses, one with a fish and the last with a cut loaf of bread

BIB3010 Reading the New Testament Missionally

Did the New Testament give rise to mission or did mission give rise to the New Testament? Many Christians are inclined to think it is the former but the New Testament itself is a product of mission itself. With this in mind, we begin this course by clarifying some key terms (e.g. missional, hermeneutic) before turning to the New Testament documents. Through our study of these and the assessments given the student learns how to approach the New Testament from a missional perspective that appreciates it rootedness and relevance in the first-century cultures, its complex story-like unity with the Old Testament, and its multifaceted witness to the climactic nature of Jesus and his work.

ENS3110 Environments of Africa: Case Studies in Natural Resources

The African continent has abundant natural resources, yet the continent has some of the poorest countries in the world and the quest for control over these natural resources has plunged the continent into many civil wars. This course will focus on the causes of this paradox by analyzing the root causes of this disparity. Special emphasis will be placed on an understanding of the natural resources in the African continent and the environmental socio-economic, and political impact of the exploration and exploitation of these resources.

BIO3200 Marine Biology

The oceans cover about 72% of the earth's surface, containing 97% of the earth's water and abundance of live forms sustaining unique ecosystems. Despite its fundamental relevance, human action over the past years have is severely affecting oceans worldwide. this adds to the need to study them. This course will cover an overview of marine biology from a global approach, using examples from different areas and different ecosystems. some focus will be given to tropical marine ecology, including coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses. In this course, the general physical and chemical features of oceans will be studied as well; highlighting how global climate changes are affecting the oceans.

BIO3210 River & Lake Biology

Although only 1% of the Earth's water is fresh, Freshwater ecology is very fundamental. This course focuses on five aspects of Freshwater ecology. (1) Fundamentals of the origin and age of rivers and lakes, lake morphometry and river and lake catchment properties. (2) Focus on the physicochemical parameters of aquatic systems, as well as the underlying concepts. (3) River and lake biotics, such as phytoplankton, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates, etc, in running and standing waters. (4) The inter-relationship between both biotic and abiotic aspects of these water bodies; addressed in the context of food web interactions. Emphasis will be laid on shallow lakes and concepts of cascading trophic interactions, alternative stable states, niche shifts, succession, and trophic concepts. (5) Finally, discussion on the effect of anthropogenic pressure on these systems would be made in the light of contamination and eutrophication; Concepts of biomonitoring, restoration, rehabilitation, and biomanipulation will also be discussed as part of remediation efforts.

GHL3110 Environmental Health Policy

This course examines the environmental impact on community health and safety as well as assesses the influence of biological information on public health laws, policies, and regulations. The focus is placed on determining relationships between chemical, biological, and physical factors and environmental threats that produce negative health outcomes. Topics covered in this course include historical and current approaches for assessing, preventing and controlling environmental hazards, waste management, air, and water quality, occupational health and safety, vector-borne diseases and control, food safety and regulation; environmental justice; and other relevant global environmental health concerns.

EPI4110 Epidemiology and Control of Infectious Disease

This course examines the science concerned with controlling and preventing infectious diseases in communities.This course provides an epidemiological approach to the study of the incidence, prevalence, and patterns of disease and injury in populations, and the application of this study to the control of public health problems.Topics covered in this course include outbreak investigations, disease surveillance, case-control studies, cohort studies, laboratory diagnosis, molecular epidemiology, dynamics of transmission, and assessment of vaccine field effectiveness for diseases such as acute respiratory infections, diarrheal diseases, hepatitis, HIV, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, malaria, and other vector-borne diseases.

BIB3120 Pauline Theology & Missional Practice

An examination of Paul’s theology and role as apostolic missionary through a consideration of his message, the task, the methods and tactics he employed, and his missional goals. Particular attention will be paid to the missional intent of Paul’s theology with an emphasis on its Christ-centered and Spirit-powered nature, as well as a consideration of important practical matters, including how he financed his missional enterprise, his response to suffering, and his urban focus.

DSP3100 Basic Skills of the Interpreting Professional

Introduction to language interpreting (oral) and translation (written), including linguistic communication, translation approaches, problems and processes, cultural competency and ethics, the role of the interpreter, modes of interpretation and interpreter errors. Through readings, observations, case studies, and research, the student will gain an understanding of how to prepare to become a certified/registered interpreter and/or translator.

DSP3300 Forced Migration & Human Trafficking

This course will examine the global crisis of human trafficking and forced migration from the lenses of Christian theology and ethics. It examines contemporary manifestations such as chattel slavery, religious slavery, domestic servitude bonded labor, forced prostitution and sexual slavery, early and forced marriages, forced labor, and human trafficking. Every form of exploitation will be defined to such that students can clearly understand the differences and similarities between them. Social-scientific, legal, public policy, and autobiographical resources will be used to frame the phenomenon of human trafficking; and theological/ethical categories such as human dignity and freedom, sin and redemption, neighbor love, and solidarity will be used to illuminate and assess its dimensions. Specific attention will be dedicated to understanding what can be done to fight against contemporary forms of slavery and human trafficking.

EMU3500 Fundamentals of Music in Asian Cultures

Introduction to indigenous music across Asia, as divided into five geographical and cultural regions. Examining primary sources, secondary readings, audio, and audiovisual materials, students will gain a foundational understanding of the nature, purposes, and contexts of music performance and consumption across the Asian continent. Students will compare and assess music traditions within and between the following regions: East Asia, Southeast Asia, South Asia, Central, and North Asia, and the Middle East.

FTH3320 Fundamentals of Video Production

The visual medium is a powerful tool. Fundamentals of Video Production will introduce all the aspects of video production from scripting, preproduction, production and post-production/editing. The visual medium is often used as metaphors for life especially in film/tv. Thus the metaphor can be properly used to break down the discipline of video production. Pre-production is the strategy to go after in the scavenger hunt. Production is the scavenger hunt where you search for the proper visual and auditory materials to construct your piece. Post-production is where you take your hundreds if not thousands of pieces of disparate information and piece it together like a jigsaw puzzle creating one canvas meant to elicit a desired response.

MED3300 Social Media Theory and Writing

Social media is a relatively new phenomenon in the world of media studies. Yet, it has hit mainstream at a rate of speed that is difficult to maintain. This course will introduce students to the ways in which people connect both on- and- offline and the theories behind why and how social media has become mainstream, what the future is for social media and how they can engage (with purpose) in social media marketing. Students will actively learn why sharing knowledge and social bonding are important to effectively communicating on social media platforms.

SWK3200 Basic Skills for Social Work Profession

This course provides an overview of professional social work. It examines the historical development of the profession of social work; introduces the profession’s values, ethics, and practice principles; examines the major intervening methods of social work practice; identifies the generalist base of social work practice; and explores the social service delivery networks which comprise the social welfare system in urban environments. This course will provide a framework of knowledge, values, skills and experiences for culturally competent, ethical, and spiritually-sensitive social work practice.

VCM3000 Visual Culture in a Global Society

The fundamental premise of visual culture in global society is reciprocal, in that it creates meaning through global flows and that the very foundations of global capital, global culture, and global media are based on the dynamics of visuality, and in the power systems it both affirms and challenges. In this course, we use a visual perspective to analyze major historical themes: nationalism, colonialism, cultural imperialism, racial and cultural difference and similarities in, society and religion. Students will focus on the inter-relationship of visual culture with the development and process of globalization, which forces similarity, and students will examine the role and impact of global cultural flows.

ITM3600 Ethics in Information Technology

Do you understand the difference between ethical and unethical decision making? This course will introduce ethical concepts related to personal and organizational decision making in the use of information systems in faith-based organizations. Students will identify ethical issues raised by current and evolving technologies, apply a framework to analyze risk and decision options. Students will also evaluate the impact of personal ethics and organizational values on an ethical workplace.

FTH3100 Story Structure in Dramatic Scriptwriting

Understanding the structure of every story is the first step every writer must take in order to be successful. This class will define and analyze the fundamental plot points of traditional linear structure: Exposition and Backstory; Inciting Incident and Conflict; Rising Action; Crisis; Climax; Falling Action and Resolution. Students will become competent and proficient in identifying these elements in all writing to include novel, play, and movie.

MWS3102 Music Composition 2

Building on the foundational skills in Music Composition I, this music composition course has a strategic focus on collaboration and co-writing. Believing that ‘two heads are better than one', this course helps songwriters determine where their strengths lie as composers and how to identify co-composers that fulfill their deficiencies. Students will put to action the skills learned in the previous course in collaborative assignments that will test their ability to work closely with others. Arguably, the songs that stand the test of time are forged out of experiences that challenge the melody and lyric. Whereas our audience is the ultimate adjudicators, the experience of co-writing will sharpen critical thinking skills with one another, enabling composers to have their work challenged to be the best it can be.

LNG3101 TESOL Methodology 1 – Theories & Methods

This course examines in details the practices of developing listening and speaking skills. The emphasis is on the application of multiple intelligence and the development of learner autonomy. It surveys the practices of integrating language skills with living, social, academic and professional skills as well as the development of international identity and intercultural perspective in the learning and teaching of English language. A theme unit will be designed by the class working together as a group as part of the course to organize content and project-based teaching. Students will have the opportunity to observe classroom teaching and take their design to teach in a real classroom situation.

MCG4395 Principles & Practices of Missional Congregations

Examines the primary considerations in determining what constitutes a missional church. Special attention will be given to understanding the foundational theological principles that guide all missional churches and the core practices that stem from these principles. Students evaluate past and current church experiences in light of these principles and practices in order to identify areas of needed transformation, both personally and in ministry.

CJS3700 Pastoral Care of Offenders and their Families

This course addresses recidivism of offenders, and the care of their families, which includes strategies for a political advocacy and Christian based ministries around issues in today’s criminal justice reform. Learners will learn how empathy, compassion, understanding, presence and awareness play a central role in the field of pastoral care. At this level a verbatim will also begin to address the learner’s evaluation and participant’s feedback.

BIB3100 Missional Practice of Jesus in the Gospels

Situates the Gospels within the cultural context of the first-century as we examine Jesus’s mission, including the training methods he used, his collaboration with others, his compassion for individuals and groups, and his mandate for his disciples to take the good news to others, a directive which still has resonance for Christians today at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Students will learn through this course how Jesus went about his mission and how God’s people are to proclaim, enact and embody the gospel.

CUL3300 Self, Groupness & Postmodern Identities

Who am I? How do I relate to others? And how do I know? Postmodern answers to these central questions continue to accentuate social fragmentation and micro-cultural development that lead to identity politics rooted in relativism and issues of power. Using socio-psychological research & theories together with socio-theological reflection, this course addresses five types of identity that shape our social worlds, influences our ability to connect and communicate, and either speeds or impedes the flow of gospel-centered communication. Students discuss these central questions from within a biblical framework and construct a self-identity profile.

REL3111 History of Jewish Culture

Surveys the development and expressions of Jewish culture chronologically and geographically from the time of Christ until now in the Diaspora of the historic Jewish people. Emphasis will be given to the variety of Jewish ethnicities and their cultural productions, cultural syncretism, and changes that occurred in response to Judaism’s encounter with the West, including its contributions to Modernity. A particular focus will be placed on the interactions between Jewish culture and Christianity. Through lecture and discussion, reading selected texts, reflection and writing, students will acquire an overview of the historical contexts and cultural representations of “Judaism” in its diversity and plurality.

REL3300 Theology of Religion

An exploration of the relationship between God who saves and humanity among the world’s diverse religious phenomena. The historical scope of this course begins with popular questions such as, “Do all paths lead to the same God?”, “Can salvation be obtained apart from the Christian Church?”, “What happens to people who never heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ?” and “Where is God in non-Christian religions?” and compares and evaluates the models commonly proposed to answer these questions.

BUS3100 Business & Marketing

Develops and cultivates the skills of students’ at the entry-level of business and marketing. Within this course students’ will learn the principles of markets, entrepreneurism, and ethical practices that drive success in today’s competitive marketplace. This course is designed to enrich students’ propensity for engagement in business and how businesses operate. This course encompasses a variety of coursework relevant to modern day businesses that examine the fundamentals of management, leadership, and marketing, and diversity.

BUS3200 Organizational Behavior

Develops and cultivates the skills of students’ by understanding the fundamentals of the individual, the group & team, and the organization. The student dynamics of learning about oneself, leadership/management, ethics, business policies & procedures, and motivation. Ethical business practices that drive success in today’s competitive marketplace will be taught throughout this class and how it applies to the organization from a biblical perspective. This course is designed to enrich students’ knowledge and engagement within an organization and how the organization functions.

BUS4200 Management & Leadership

Develops and cultivates the skills of students by understanding the fundamentals of leadership from Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, Henri Fayol, and other leadership and management theorists throughout history. The student dynamics of leadership within the 21st Century will be a pivotal aspect for this class. Learning about: Organizational Structure, Organizational Development, Organizational Change, the differences between Leadership and Management, and Ethical leadership espoused by our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ. This course is designed to enrich the students’ knowledge and concepts based on leadership within a business.

MLV3100 The Gospel and the Missio Dei

In this course, students practice making the Gospel translatable to the cultural context of their field of mission, they are equipped to employ a redemptive-historical hermeneutic for interpreting scripture and research six descriptive domains that encapsulate the cultural orientations of their mission field. As students acquire knowledge of missional practices, consult an expert practitioner and get involved in an on-site evaluation of a place where Gospel and missio dei intersect, they accumulate vital resources for coherently contextualizing the Gospel in any mission field.

BIB4310 Mission of God in the End Times

After the Fall, God immediately sets out on a mission of restoring humankind (relationally) and creation (physically) which will one day end in a renewed heavens and a renewed earth. With this holistic mission before us and using restoration (e.g., Jubilee) as an overarching principle, we trace its theological, economic, social, and ethical implications in the Old Testament. The theme of Jubilee and restoration is picked up by Jesus (i.e. Luke 4:1-18) with similar underpinnings and holistic thrust, flowing chiefly from the cross-work and resurrection of Christ and issued forth in godly living. Restoration is further traced via the writings of Paul (Rom. 8:18-25), Peter (2 Pet. 2:1-10) and John (Rev.21:1-3) where God’s plan of the restoration and renewal brings an accompanying responsibility for the people of God to behave morally and responsibly. For the authors of the New Testament, and in light of the end-times, ethics and the eschatology are two sides of the same coin.

HIS3100 Jews in the time of Jesus

Traces the religious and political developments concerning Jews in antiquity by focusing on the inter-testamental period. Special emphasis is laid on Hellenistic culture and Roman administration, as they come to inform and influence the political and religious arenas in the period of the Second Temple Judaism. The original sources are drawn from religious as well as secular texts from the period, including Jewish authors, such as Philo and Josephus, and other non-Jewish historical writings, such as Tacitus and others.

HLT3600 Health Care Ethics

Complexities in medical care and technology often drive patients and caregivers towards issues of a great ethical challenge. In the face of complex and challenging situations, healthcare ethics asks the question, “What is the right thing to do?” In this course, participants will gain a basic understanding of the fundamental pillars of healthcare ethics while also engaging the historical, biblical, and contemporary ethical theories and frameworks which give shape to healthcare ethics. Through the engagement of relevant reading and lectures as well as robust discussion of ethical cases and current events, students will be able to apply these theories to the practical challenges of today’s healthcare system and help guide others to make quality healthcare decisions.

CJS4520 Criminal Behavior & Profiling

This course exposes students to the dynamics associated to the assessment of criminal behavior and the application of profiling as an investigative measure within the realm of criminal justice. Realistic scenarios pertaining to the application of criminal profiling will be explored for the purpose of recognizing the element of maladaptive behavior; in addition, students will be able to ascertain the types of cases in which in which the role of profiling is most often employed within the investigative process.

CJS3610 Ethical Decisions in Policing

This course will examine current issues related to ethics in the field of criminal justice. Students will become familiar with the ethical challenges that arise in the criminal justice profession. Students will become familiar with the practical issues that generate interaction between ethics and criminal justice. Students will be exposed to various theories that may provide practical application of the theories, including biblical and contemporary theories. Students will develop a better understanding of moral and ethical dilemmas confronting the criminal justice field and how these dilemmas may be resolved successfully.

PCC3100 Pastoral Care Theory & Theology

The current understanding of the pastoral function goes back to the description found in the New Testament and the practice of the early church. One who has a sphere of Christian influence and mentorship finds that they are doing pastoral work. This is especially true of those who are small group leaders. This is an introductory course to the biblical and theological foundation for the basic personhood and work of being of one who provides pastoral care. Particular attention will be given to creating insight into the appropriate contextual missional responses for a wide range of ministries.

MLV3610 Gospel-Centered Missional Communities

This course will examine a Gospel centered community. Students will learn what it mean to live a Gospel centered life and the implications that has for community. They will develop an understanding of their Gospel Identity and their biblical mandate to be a unified community centered on the Gospel living the Spirit’s mission to build the Kingdom. Students will learn the theology behind a Gospel Centered Missional Community and practical steps to implementing one into their local context.