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Bachelor of Arts in Intercultural Studies

For students who desire to serve internationally, either in missions or relief and development work, California Baptist University’s School of Christian Ministries offers a major in intercultural studies. The major has two concentrations: Cultural Engagement or Global Justice. Each student must complete at least one concentration.

For students who desire to serve internationally, either in missions or relief and development work, California Baptist University’s School of Christian Ministries offers a major in intercultural studies. The major has two concentrations: Cultural Engagement or Global Justice. Each student must complete at least one concentration.

Concentrations

I. Bible and Theology: We believe that students who wish to serve in practical and tangible ways, must know WHY they serve, why the world is their concern, why justice is worth pursuing, and what hopeful expectation they can have. We want them to root their work in the Scripture.

6 units of Old Testament from the following

6 units of New Testament from the following

II. Intercultural Studies: Students will be introduced to basic theories of cross-cultural engagement, as well as practical information about the "who, what, when, where and why" of the regions of the world. We want students to know a bit about the neighbors they will learn to love and serve.

III. Specialization:  the concentration provides students with opportunities to gain specific skills for their intended means of international service.

Concentration in Cultural Engagement

For students who sense God’s direction to reach the nations through missions and church or para-church ministries, the cultural engagement concentration gives students an understanding of God’s desire for the nations to hear the Good News of Jesus, to stir within them a passion for the nations, and to help them develop a personal strategy in helping reach the nations with the Gospel.

Cultural Engagement Concentration Coursework (15 units)

Concentration in Global Justice

The global justice concentration was developed in response to the “justice generation” that is committed to serving needs of the poor and working against forms of social injustice.  But students need to have the knowledge and skills to do so.  ICS Global Justice majors will likely plan to work oversees or nationally with non-profit organizations in the field of relief and development, human rights and social justice.  The relief and development/human rights profession is a growing and competitive industry, with excellent job opportunities nationally and abroad. We realize that in addition to a solid theological and biblical foundation for justice and activism, students going into international humanitarian ministries need practical knowledge and skills specific to that work.

Students need practical skills that enable them to “do” something.  This coursework will introduce students to the basic concepts of human rights, international organizations and structures, the major social issues and the research data and methods that surround these issues. Examples of key topics are: poverty alleviation, human trafficking, education, women’s health, refugees, AIDS. 

Global Justice Concentration Coursework (12 units)

Choose one (1) of the following

Minors

Students can also choose to minor in Global Studies or Global Justice.