Intercultural and Religious Studies Major: Justice and International Development Emphasis B.A.

Program Director: Darren Duerksen, Ph.D.

Understanding the contexts of poverty, hunger, and social injustice and the means for bringing long-term transformation.

Overview

The Intercultural and Religious Studies major prepares students with the critical and practical skills needed to understand, live, work, and serve in diverse cultural contexts. The major utilizes a cross-disciplinary approach, integrating the social, cultural, theological, and religious study important for shaping relief and development, church, missions, business, and other majors designed to bring positive and lasting impact to peoples' lives. It prepares students for work in fields such as international missions, English language teaching, non-profit and international community development, international business, urban Christian community development, human resources, human services and social work, and refugee services. In addition, the major prepares students with the breadth of knowledge needed to enter into graduate study programs in intercultural studies, international development, TESOL, peace and reconciliation, international policy and other subjects.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

Disciplinary Integration: Students will be able to synthesize interdisciplinary concepts into holistic views of cross-cultural engagement.
Cultural Analysis: Students will be able to analyze diverse cultures and religious traditions.
Personal Formation: Students will be able to articulate the ways in which they have developed a critical understanding of their socio-cultural location and identity, spiritual formation, and/or personal identity.
Skill Development: Students will be able to demonstrate the professional skills necessary to facilitate cross-cultural engagement.

Locations Offered

Main Campus Fresno

General Education Prerequisites (9 units)

BLIT 336 - Biblical Literature: Acts Credits 3
GEOG 220 - Cultural Geography Credits 3
SOC 205 - Culture and Society Credits 3

Required Major Core (21-22 Units)

COM 400 - Intercultural Communication Credits 3
ICS 499 - Senior Seminar in Intercultural Studies Credits 1
LANG 312 - Community Language Immersion Credits 1
LANG 340 - Introduction to Linguistics Credits 3 or 1 semester of foreign language in addition to general education requirements
PS 420 - International Relations Credits 3
SOC 301 - Culture and Community Engagement Credits 3
REL 452 - World Christianity Credits 3 or
REL 460 - Religions of the World Credits 3
Participate in one international and one domestic cross-cultural experience, totaling 180 hours of volunteer time. With the Program Director's approval, register for a minimum of 4 units (45 hours/unit) from the following:
ICS 382 - Intercultural Studies Practicum Credits 1 - 3
ICS 482 - Intercultural Studies Internship Credits 1 - 3
LANG 496 - Language Studies Internship Credits 3 –if taking the TESOL emphasis and certificate
MIN 475 - Urban Los Angeles Immersion Credits 1

Emphasis Required Courses (15 units)

PS 425 - Global Economics and Sustainable Development Credits 3
THEO 470 - Justice, Poverty and Development Credits 3
MGT 362 - Nonprofit Management Credits 3

Select one course from the following:

SOC 410 - American Ethnicity and Pluralism Credits 3
PS 411 - Modern Latin America: History, Politics And Culture Credits 3
PS 412 - Modern Africa: History, Politics and Culture Credits 3
PS 414 - Modern Asia: History, Politics and Culture Credits 3
PS 416 - Modern Middle East: History, Politics and Culture Credits 3

Select one course from the following:

ACCT 301 - Accounting for Management Credits 3
ICS 320 - Introduction to Holistic Mission in Costa Rica Credits 3
THEO 425 - Theological Ethics and the Environment Credits 3
THEO 365 - Perspectives on Global Missions Credits 3
THEO 445 - Issues and Theologies of Mission Credits 3
THEO 465 - Theological Ethics of Conflict and Peacemaking Credits 3