About the Department

The inclusion of experiential learning components and courses in the academic programs at Missional University has manifold benefits to students enrolled in each of the five departments of The Missional College (TMC) namely: Mission Studies, Cultural Studies, Ethnic and Reconciliation, Diaspora Studies and World Religions.

Experiential Learning Types

The Department of Cultural Navigation offers a variety of types of experiential learning activities for undergraduate and graduates in each of the five departments in The Missional College including observership, practicum, field instruction, internship, mentorship, capstone, portfolio, project, research and thesis courses.

Experiential Learning Outcomes

Students who successfully complete the experiential learning activities in the Department of Cultural Navigation gain valuable experience in their academic field. 

Benefits to Mission Studies students:

By engaging in experiential learning activities and taking experiential learning courses MC students at Missional University who are pursuing MIssional Studies will be better equipped to:

• apply biblical truth in their lives and service in intercultural settings
• gain skills in making disciples across diverse cultures
• communicate in an intercultural setting and engage international and open doors for missional career opportunities
• discover new ways to share the gospel in home and host cultures among a wide variety of people group and languages
• develop intercultural skills that result in innovative ways of making disciples.

Benefits to Cultural Studies students:

By engaging in experiential learning activities and taking experiential learning courses TMC students at Missional University who are pursuing Cultural Studies will be better prepared to serve in the mission of God in settings in the US and across the globe. They will:

• expand their understanding of the differences and similarities between human beings as they have been created by God
• be empowered to meet people as Christ did: in their own environs and circumstance
• acquire practical skills that allow them to work with people of various cultural and social backgrounds in diverse contexts and in fields that rely heavily on cross-cultural communication
• grow in their ability to build bridges of understanding between cultures

Benefits to Ethnic and Reconciliation Studies students:

By engaging in experiential learning activities and taking experiential learning courses TMC students at Missional University who are pursuing Ethnic and Reconciliation Studies will be better equipped for service in global societies needing racial reconciliation, peace and stability, and the transformation of culture through the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Students will also be:

• empowered to engage issues in cultural contexts across the globe
• gain skills to effectively navigate chaotic situations due to ethnic divide or conflicting cultural perspectives and be God’s agent of peace in that situation
• enable students to think critically and make meaning out of meaningless cultural contexts which are often infected by varied social ills, i.e, racial divide, poverty etc.
• find practical applications of Kingdom principles and live meaningful and fruitful life between the now and not yet

Benefits to Diaspora Studies students:

By engaging in experiential learning activities and taking experiential learning courses MC students at Missional University who are pursuing Diaspora Studies will:

• gain a practical understanding of migration studies, immigration law and specialized services in meeting the needs of immigrants, refugees, and internationals
• develop analytical and critical skills to resolve issues brought about by migration
• develop holistic and innovative ways to effectively minister to immigrants

Benefits to World Religion students:

By engaging in experiential learning activities and taking experiential learning courses TMC students at Missional University who are pursuing World Religions will:

• gain a practical understanding of how to transform people and places from all tribes, tongues, and religions through Christian witness
• develop innovative ways to open inroads of engagement with people from varied religious backgrounds
• grow in their ability to mobilize others to meet needs of people from other religious backgrounds
• identify points of contact or bridges for the gospel for meaningful discussion to share the gospel of Christ with those whose religious convictions differ from them.