Hattiesburg
Intercultural Studies (ICS) is a 33-hour interdisciplinary major including 12 credit hours of practicums and internships. This format allows students to double major in ICS and another academic discipline and still graduate in 4 years. Double major options include business, communication, education, health profession, or another area that will prepare graduates to be culturally competent marketplace professionals and missionaries in an increasingly multi-cultural world. Intercultural Studies is ideal for students desiring biblically faithful and culturally relevant equipping for Kingdom service globally or within the United States.
Students may choose a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts degree while majoring in ICS. To fulfill language requirements, the student may elect any one of the following options: 1) 12 hours of Greek, 2) 12 hours of Hebrew, 3) six hours of Greek and six hours of Hebrew, or 4) 12 hours in a modern language (i.e. Spanish). The Department of Christian Ministries also offers a full immersion program in Arabic.
The Program Learning Outcomes (PLO) and purposes of the ICS major are:
- Articulate the importance of the Great Commission mandate to make disciples of all nations, rooted in an accurate understanding of Scripture and relevant to cultural context.
- Expose students to various cultures for the purpose of developing a caring sensitivity for all people groups.
- Integrate knowledge and skill across a missiological framework of theology, history, culture, and strategy to develop effective missions paradigms in diverse settings.
- Equip students with the skills to enter and understand new cultural contexts.
- Convey the responsibility of all followers of Christ to value, protect, and rescue the disadvantaged, vulnerable and abused people in society.
- Prepare students to effectively work and minister in a multicultural or cross-cultural context.
Students who major in ICS are required to double major or take a minor. A double major or minor in the following areas is suggested: business, education, health profession, or another area.
BA/BS Core Religion Requirements
REL101 Introduction to the Old Testament
REL102 Introduction to the New Testament
ICS Major Requirements
REL273 Biblical Hermeneutics
REL284 Intercultural Field Experience
REL310 Principles and Practices of Missions
REL461 Race, Culture, and the Church
REL470 The Life and Work of William Carey
REL471 Practical Theology (or another approved theology class)
REL497 Intercultural Studies Internship (9 hours)
Choose two from the following:
REL205 Applied Anthropology for Missions
REL272 Christian Worship
REL405 World Religions
REL483 Evangelism and Church Growth
ICS Major Total Credit Hours: 33
Intercultural studies Minor: The intercultural studies minor includes 18 hours of coursework in addition to REL 101-102. Required religion courses are: REL 310, 320 or 471, 405, 470, 483, and 484.
Potential Careers for ICS Graduates
Missionary, teacher, international business, diplomacy, relief and development, medical, non-profit management, pastor, missions pastor, church planter, missions research, international media and journalism, ect. or graduate school in sociology, anthropology, psychology, international development, or seminary.
