The Mission and Justice minor prepares students for intercultural competence in holistic Christian ministry. Demographic changes in North America coupled with globalization have enormous implications for how we engage in mission and justice. This integrative and interdisciplinary minor equips Christians to bear witness, do justice, and participate in God’s plan of restoration and reconciliation by using critical analysis of social, political, economic, and spiritual poverty in order to holistically develop communities towards self-sufficiency and spiritual renewal. The minor helps you understand your calling and employ your gifts in loving God and your neighbor through any chosen occupational field. Students will participate in a service learning component as part of capstone course BTS392: Topics in Mission and Justice.
Minor requirements
BTS 290 - Mission and Justice
A general overview of the biblical-theological foundations and historical
context of whole Christian mission, with special emphasis upon modern
cross-cultural mission theories, international and community development,
and the theory and practice of restorative justice.
Prerequisite: BTS 250 or permission of instructor. (4 credits)
BTS 295 - Intercultural Communication
Christian ministry and mission is essentially an ongoing process of
interacting effectively with others in ways appropriate to one?s message and
global/local contexts. By providing a progressively integrated understanding
of intercultural issues, this course will enable students to apply
principles of communication through their particular vocation or ministry so
that they connect theory with models and practice to appropriately
communicate the Gospel message across cultures and micro-cultures. (2
credits)
BTS 392 - Topics in Mission and Justice
A topical and selective study of major missional themes, including justice
and development, permitting students to read and reflect intensively upon
the nature and challenge of Christian mission. Topics may vary from year to
year. Sample topics might include Reconciliation, The Finality of Christ in
a Pluralistic World, Interfaith Dialogue, Contextualization, Postmodern
Apologetics. A missional service learning component is required, consisting
of at least 20 hours of student engagement in meeting an identified
missional community need.
Note: This course may be repeated for credit provided a different topic is
studied. Prerequisite: BTS290 or permission of instructor. (4 credits, alternate
years, consult department)
Choose 4 credits:
BTS 317 - Topics in Old Testament Studies
A study of a single book or larger section of the Old Testament or a current
area of critical inquiry concerning the Old Testament. Possible topics
include, but are not limited to, the Pentateuch, the Historical Writings,
the Prophets, and the Poetic and Wisdom books. Note: May be taken more than once provided a different topic is studied. Prerequisites: BTS150 and sophomore class standing. (2 credits)
BTS 322 - Topics in New Testament Studies
A study of a single book or larger section of the New Testament or a current
area of critical inquiry concerning the New Testament. Possible topics
include the Synoptic Gospels, the Book of Acts, the Johannine Literature,
the Epistolary Literature, and the Apocalypse. (2 credits) Note: May be
taken more than once provided a different topic is studied. Prerequisite:
BTS150 and sophomore class standing.
BTS 328WI - Biblical Interpretation and Theology
An examination of the past and present methods and proposals for Biblical
Interpretation and Biblical Theology. The course will analyze and critique
various models for hermeneutics and theological interpretation and also
assist students in constructing exegetical methods that are biblically
based, theologically informed and culturally relevant. In this Writing
Intensive course for Religion and CE/YM majors, students will develop
research and writing skills that will benefit them in a variety of
vocational paths within the field of religion.
Prerequisite: BTS150. (4 credits) (Writing intensive)
BTS 375 - Topics in Theology
A study of one or more standard areas of theology, (such as the doctrines of
Revelation, God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, Humanity, Salvation, the Church,
and Last Things) from a classical as well as a contemporary perspective.
Note: The course may be repeated for credit provided a different topic is
studied.
Prerequisites: BTS150 and BTS250. (4 credits; alternate years, consult
department)
BTS 390CC - World Religions
The major religions of the world are examined in the light of the Christian
faith. This course emphasizes the interaction of religion and culture with a
view to cross-cultural understanding. In-depth research into a specific
topic related to world religions is required. (4 credits) (NWCore option
under Cross-Cultural Engagement)
Cognate Requirements:
Choose 10 credits:
SWK 225 - Diverse Populations and Social Justice
Examines theoretical foundations for understanding dynamics of social
inequity, privilege, and oppression; focus on diversity and on populations
at risk due to racism, sexism and classism; self-assessment of students'
racial and cultural heritage as it shapes their attitudes and biases toward
different cultural and racial groups; emphasis on helping students become
culturally competent social workers who are grounded in their faith and who
identify with the profession's respect for diversity and commitment to
social and economic justice. Open to non-majors. Prerequisites: SWK200,
PSY100SS or SOC101SS, or permission of instructor. (4 credits)
Note: Transfer credits will be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. No
academic credit will be granted for social work courses taken in programs
which are not accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. No
academic credit will be granted, in whole or in part, for life experience or
work experience. Students must achieve a grade of "C" or above in all social
work core foundational courses. If not, the student must repeat the course
until the standard has been achieved.
BUS 210 - New Venture Innovation
(2 credits) This course is a foundational course designed to inspire and engage students
in dimensions that drive new ideas as well as the methods and tools to
develop innovation and problem solving. Students will address practical
problems associated with starting a business, including a feasibility
analysis. The focus is to empower learning through entrepreneurial thinking
and immerse students in experiences that will develop skills for new
ventures. This course will be of value to students of all majors and
requires no specialized knowledge.
SOC 290CC - Cultural Anthropology
(4 credits)(NWCore option under Cross-Cultural Engagement) This course is
about learning a way of seeing and understanding other cultures and our
own culture(s) - introducing and drawing on ideas and insights from the
field of Cultural Anthropology. In a globalizing and increasingly
interconnected world these ideas and insights can serve a critical need
in helping us understand and learn how to live in with cultural diversity
and complexity. Thus the value of this course is in learning a new way of
seeing and understanding, a way that helps us think about what it means
to be human, a way that helps us understand and live with our neighbors
-- locally and globally.
SOC 304CC - Ethnicity, Power and Identity
(4 credits)(IGE option under Cross-Cultural Engagement) This course
develops a sociological perspective on ethnicity, power, and identity.
Sociologists frequently seek to balance an emphasis on both the general
patterns that we observe across social phenomena and the uniqueness of
each specific case. The primary goal of this course is not simply learn
the characteristics of specific historically marginalized populations.
Instead, this course will seek to answer the question: What is the
relationship between power, ethnicity, and identity? Our readings and
discussions will shed light upon this question from different
perspectives. Along the way, we will also draw upon learning materials
that address the unique historical situations of specific groups as they
endure and struggle against power imbalances (for example, the African
American Civil Rights Movement).
Total credits required: 24