AC4311-SL Communication and Service in Muslim Contexts (Online) (Spring - Even numbered years/Summer - Odd numbered years) (3 undergraduate credits)

In light of scriptural and anthropological principles, this course explores the nature, dynamics, scope, challenges, and approaches in appropriate and effective service in Muslim contexts. The class meets virtually at a time mutually agreed upon by each of the enrolling students.

AL4304-OL Introduction to Language Structure (Spring/Fall) (3 undergraduate credits)

This course provides a basic introduction to language sounds and structures. It will enhance students’ ability to learn another language as they use natural language data to discover and analyze word and sentence formation in a variety of different languages. Students will also have the opportunity to identify, pronounce, and transcribe the most common sounds found in the world’s languages.

AL4341 American Sign Language 1 (Spring) (3 undergraduate credits)

This beginner-level course introduces students to American Sign Language (ASL) and basic knowledge of Deaf culture. Emphasis is on the acquisition of comprehension, production, and interactional skills using basic grammatical features with respect to use of ASL in the context of everyday life experiences.

AL4342 American Sign Language 2 (Fall) (3 undergraduate credits)

ASL2 is a continuation of ASL1. This novice-level course is designed to continue development of American Sign Language expressive and receptive skills, grammar, vocabulary, cultural awareness, and related terminology. It expands the range of communication skills, with special emphasis on being able to convey prior knowledge in the new language.

IS1321 Introduction to Ethnopsychology (Fall) (3 undergraduate credits)

At our core, do all individuals think, feel, and behave in the same ways? How do psychology and culture interact? In this course, we will look at several major concepts in traditional psychology and consider the extent to which they may apply across cultures.

IS1363-IN Introduction to Health & First Aid Practices (MayExt) (3 undergraduate credits)

There will be a 1-week INTENSIVE in the second half of May.

Every person needs basic knowledge on factors affecting their personal health. This course teaches students to evaluate significant topics in their own health paradigm. Students are introduced to key principles of First Aid, the sequence of steps to respond to emergencies, and the steps for patient assessment. Key aspects of CPR are learned along with wound care, musculoskeletal injuries, and first aid for poisoning, bites, and stings. Attention is given to first aid for injuries in remote locations.

Note: DIU tuition does not include a required fee estimated to be about $65 for the formal CPR training and certification. Students enrolling in this course will pay this separate fee when registering for this course.

IS2322 Psychology of Suffering and Resilience (Spring) (3 undergraduate credits)

Grief and trauma are part of the human condition.  In this course, students will study the psychological impact of suffering and begin to develop their own personal theology of suffering.  They will also discuss the importance of resilience as a building block of successful cross-cultural service.

IS3320 Bible Lands Study Tour (MayExt) (3 undergraduate credits)

This course is a study tour in which students will visit in-person many of the sites and regions related to the Bible, from the time of Abraham to the time of Jesus and the Apostles. Map-marking exercises, readings, and other assignments will complement the student’s learning about the geography, history, and archaeology of Bible lands.

IS4646 Chinese 2 & 3 (Spring) (6 undergraduate credits)

Building on the foundations laid in Chinese 1, students will achieve a basic level of competence in conversation and reading and be able to write short compositions.

AA5324-SL Foundations of Global Migration and Diasporas (Fall) (3 graduate credits)

Global migration and diaspora peoples are both a biblical and historical reality. Understanding the forces driving global migration and the physical and spiritual context of diaspora peoples is essential for the Church as it seeks to commit resources towards the fulfillment of the Great Commission. This course explores the context of global migration and diaspora from historical, political, social/cultural and biblical perspectives. Additionally, students will be challenged to consider appropriate gospel responses to diaspora peoples that address both immediate and long-term needs.

AA5325 Multilingualism in Diaspora Contexts (Spring) (3 graduate credits)

Migrants respond to new linguistic contexts in a variety of ways. This course investigates the specific sociolinguistic dynamics of various multilingual diaspora communities. Attention is given to the various factors influencing language choice including economic factors and social pressures. Generational differences in language choice will be examined along with the emergence of hybridized identities and the resulting blended language approaches in some multilingual contexts.

AA5326 Anthropology of Migration (Fall) (3 graduate credits)

Anthropological examination of population movements around the globe, including voluntary and forced, migration, displacement, diaspora, and refugee flows. Students will analyze the underlying political, economic, and social dynamics of both internal and international migrations, and they will examine the personal and cultural experiences of movement. Students will assess international policies and efforts to address mobility. They will also consider connections between conflict and humanitarianism, urban displacement, the effects of climate change, the formation of refugee identities, and the social and economic relations of diasporas with their home countries. Students will use ethnographic methodologies to explore and better understand a diaspora community.

AA5327 Diaspora Economic Development (Spring) (3 graduate credits)

Migrants and refugees face unique economic challenges. This course focuses on the distinct economic challenges that diaspora groups face. There are varying diaspora contexts such as urban slums, transitional refugee camps, long term refugee camps, internal migration contexts, international migration, cyclical migration, remittance-based livelihoods, and others. Skills will include identifying the unique economic challenges of specific groups and the proposal of context-specific approaches to assist diaspora families and or communities to move toward sustainable economic stability.

AA5328-C Teaching in the Refugee Context (TBA) (3 graduate credits)

To prepare for teaching and training people of different cultures, this course introduces students to adult learning theory, and equips them to analyze cultural factors affecting teaching and learning. This course experience first-hand teaching and service at refugee agencies in Dallas, TX. It highlights the many cultural, practical, emotional, and spiritual teaching challenges that refugees encounter.

AA5329 Diaspora Scripture Engagement (Spring) (3 graduate credits)

Begins Spring 2024. Diaspora communities often exist in religiously complex contexts. This course will provide an overview of home country religious expression. It will consider the challenges of contextualization within the unique experiences of migrant and refugee communities. Consideration will be given to language use, modalities, and felt needs related to Scripture engagement. Methodologies most appropriate to various diaspora contexts will be explored. (This course combines relevant components of AA5373 Religion and Worldview, AA5374 Christianity Across Cultures, and AA5355 Scripture Engagement Strategy and Methods but narrow the content by focusing on direct application to diaspora contexts.)

AA5330 Language Acquisition and Teaching (Spring) (3 graduate credits)

This course introduces students to learner-directed second language acquisition for the purpose of helping diaspora learners navigate new language contexts. Throughout the course students explore and examine perspectives on language learning and develop strategies for dealing appropriately with different contexts. Language learning environments include designing multilingual education for children and for adults and working in cooperation with local or national educational structures.

IS5320 Bible Lands Study Tour (MayExt) (3 graduate credits)

This course is a study tour in which students will visit in-person many of the sites and regions related to the Bible, from the time of Abraham to the time of Jesus and the Apostles. Map-marking exercises, readings, and other assignments will complement the student’s learning about the geography, history, and archaeology of Bible lands.

WA6370-IN Multidisciplinary Perspectives on World Arts (Fall) (3 graduate credits)

This course looks at World Arts through five lenses: scriptural foundations guiding arts engagement; cultural analysis for valuing the complexity of artistic expression in multi-cultural and diaspora settings; historical perspectives demonstrating how artistic traditions have responded to power, politics, resources, and agency; missiological reflection on communication models employed by faith communities exhibiting creative embrace of the arts; and liturgical implications of this study for integrating arts in the church’s worship.

WA6380-IN Advanced Theory of Ethnodoxology (MayExt) (3 graduate credits)

This course explores the biblical, historical, theological, and cultural principles of ethnodoxology for cross-cultural workers, community leaders, worship facilitators, and academic leaders. Students are prepared to analyze current ethnodoxological trends and perform original research, thereby expanding the boundaries of this emerging discipline.

This course requires a 2-week INTENSIVE on campus during the May-Extended period.

WA6381-IN Cross-cultural Education Methods (Intensive) (MayExt) (3 graduate credits)

Training people in the principles of world arts, whether in primarily monocultural or cross-cultural contexts, requires an understanding of effective teaching methods. In this course, students will explore the theories, methodologies, and philosophies of effective community arts engagement models. They will learn how to apply ethnographic research methods to demonstrate how teaching and learning can be adapted for particular social contexts.

This course requires a 2-week INTENSIVE on campus during the May-Extended period.

WA6385-OL World Arts & Religious Expression (Fall) (3 graduate credits)

Religious faith is expressed through language and artistic communication. In this course, students will investigate some of the major themes in the interaction between religion and the arts. They will then look at a selection of case studies of religious traditions and their use of artistic communication genres. Having looked at the use of music, visual art, drama, dance, oral verbal arts, and other arts domains as applied by practitioners of various religious traditions, students will then investigate the use of the arts in the religious life of their chosen research communities.

Note: This course requires access to an internet connection capable of supporting Zoom class meetings that will be scheduled around students’ availability.

WA6389-OL Advanced Artistic Form Analysis (Spring) (3 graduate credits)

This course will guide the student through rigorous investigation of an artistic tradition, exploring the distinctive features of the tradition through ethnographic and form analysis. By engaging in analytical methods appropriate to the chosen art form, students will produce an ethnographically grounded analysis of a corpus of works from that artistic tradition, expanding the currently available knowledge about that tradition.

Note: This course requires access to an internet connection capable of supporting Zoom class meetings that will be scheduled around students’ availability.

WA6390-OL Research & Communication for World Arts (Spring) (3 graduate credits)

Scholarship demands clear planning and structure for research projects, along with effective writing and communication skills. Students in this class will hone their abilities in designing good research topics, questions, and data-gathering strategies. They will also learn to write with greater precision and clarity, making an in-depth study of style and usage in English through selected readings and rigorous practice and coaching. Through this study, students will gain skills in communicating with a wide range of audiences, furthering the contribution their research makes.

Note: This course requires access to an internet connection capable of supporting Zoom class meetings that will be scheduled around students’ availability.