Intercultural Studies, B.A.
The intercultural studies major challenges and equips for cross cultural engagement; communication; and understanding in life, work, and service. The world is “becoming smaller” as technology advances, people migrate, and opportunities continue to expand. This major is for the person who loves the challenge of diversity and encountering new experiences through people, worldviews, and cultures. A highlight of this major is spending at least one semester developing cross-cultural skills in a service-oriented internship.
An interdisciplinary major, intercultural studies empowers students to analyze and engage global issues from Christian theological, philosophical and social science perspectives. The intercultural studies major will double with nearly any major thus providing a competitive advantage in seeking employment both overseas and at home in business, communications, education, not-for-profit, and ministry or in seeking further graduate studies.
Program Requirements
Bethel Core
| BIBL 215 | Old Testament Literature | 3 |
| BIBL 216 | New Testament Literature | 3 |
| ENGL 101 | Written Communication II | 3 |
| ENGL 102 | Written Communication III | 3 |
| MATH | College Level Mathematics | 3 |
| PHIL 250 | Introduction to Philosophy | 3 |
| PSYC 182 | General Psychology | 3 |
| SOC 151 | Principles of Sociology | 3 |
| THEO 110 | Exploring the Christian Faith | 3 |
| | | |
| COMM and Foreign Language | Choose 6 credits from the following: | 6 |
| | Foreign Language (two semesters) | 6 |
| | OR | |
| | Foreign Language (one semester) | 3 |
| | AND | |
| COMM 171 | Speech Communication | 3 |
| | | |
| | Choose two of three options for a total of 6 hours: | 6 |
| FA/THTR/ART/Music | Elective(s) | 3 |
| | History Elective (Recommend HIST 246) | 3 |
| LIT | Literature Elective | 3 |
| | | |
| | Choose three credits from the following: | 3 |
| BIOL 115 | Human Biology | 3 |
| | OR | |
| NS 110 | Environmental Science | 3 |
| | OR | |
| NS 291 | Physical World | 3 |
| | OR | |
| | Any BIOL,CHEM, PHYS | 3-4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 42 |
Major Courses
| BIBL 201 | Biblical Interpretation | 3 |
| | | |
| BIBL 235 | Church in the New Testament -Book Study in Acts | 3 |
| | OR | |
| IS 235 | Church in the New Testament -Book Study in Acts | 3 |
| | | |
| IS 304 | Language Acquisition and Cultural Adaptation | 3 |
| IS 350 | International and Community Development | 3 |
| IS 450 | International Studies Capstone | 3 |
| SOC 356 | Cultural Anthropology | 3 |
| SS 277 | World Regional Geography | 3 |
| MIN 201 | Spiritual Formation Experience | 0 |
| | | |
| MIN 210 | The Christian World Mission | 3 |
| | OR | |
| IS 210 | The Christian World Mission | 3 |
| | | |
| MIN 310 | Evangelism & Discipleship | 3 |
| | | |
| MIN 333 | World Religious Movements | 3 |
| | OR | |
| IS 333 | World Religious Movements | 3 |
| | | |
| MIN 361 | Issues in International Ministries | 3 |
| | OR | |
| IS 361 | Issues in International Ministries | 3 |
| | | |
| | *International/Cross Cultural Learning Experience | 3 |
| THEO 340/PHIL 340 | Christian Apologetics | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 39 |
Electives
Electives needed to complete degree
*International/Cross Cultural Learning Experience
Students in the Intercultural Studies Major and Minor must complete a significant international/cross cultural learning experience. The following Internships can be used to meet the International/Cross Cultural Learning Experience requirement if they are given an international/cross cultural focus:
| BADM 427 | Internship in Business Administration | 1-4 |
| IS 460 | International Studies Internship | 1-3 |
| MIN 446 | Internship in Ministry | 1-4 |
| MIN 447 | Internship in International Ministries | 1-4 |
| MIN 448 | Internship in Pastoral Ministries | 2-6 |
| SS 374 | Internship in Social Science | 1-6 |
Note: Additional International/Cross Cultural Learning Experience credit may be earned beyond the 3 hours required.
Total Credit Hours: 120