Standard Courses and Individualized Studies

Students may register for these courses and individualized studies with the consent and under the guidance of qualified faculty approved by WCIU. The (-) indicates that the instructor should fill in the discipline in which the studies are being done. The Doctoral Learning Contract normally should include 570, 577, and 578, unless equivalent studies have already been taken.

Course Numbering

100-299 Lower Division undergraduate courses designed for pre-requisite coursework for graduate degrees.

500-599 Graduate courses. All have a prerequisite of post-baccalaureate or graduate standing. Individual courses may have specific prerequisites.

600-699 Doctoral level studies. Open only to doctoral students who have been advanced to candidacy.

Anthro 201 Cultural Anthropology (3)

An introductory study of the major theories of anthropology. Topics to be covered are concepts of enculturation and acculturation; basic concepts of intercultural communication; social anthropology, kinship and other relationships; religion in culture; cultural relativity; and research methods in culture studies. For those who have no background in cultural studies.

Intercultr St 460 Perspectives on International Development (3)

A survey of fundamental dimensions of intercultural development work of faith-based organizations: philosophical and spiritual foundations, historical examples of intercultural efforts, demography of major worldviews and religions, anthropological insights, cross-cultural communication, and strategic planning for the change agent.

IntlCultr 465 Foundations of the World Christian Movement--A Larger Perspective (3)

An overview of the past and present, with focus on understanding factors that enabled biblical faith to become a global phenomenon. The positive and negative impact of the Christian movement on culture and human development is examined, as well as principles for effective cross-cultural communication of biblical faith.

Int Cultr 580A, Introduction to Mentoring (2)

Introduces the student to WCIU”s Mentor Handbook, and to principles of successful mentoring. Required course for all PhD students, in line with WCIU’s belief that the goal of the PhD degree is to be a trainer of others.

Int Cultr 580B, Mentoring Practicum (2)

Each PhD student, before graduating, must mentor a student on the MA level to a successful completion of his/her program. A journal of at least one year’s activity in mentoring validates the learning effort.

Intl Dev 501 Global Civilization 1 (8)

An interdisciplinary study of development in the early stages of human culture and ancient civilizations through 400 BC. This module integrates selected insights from the disciplines of world history, comparative religion, biblical studies, philosophy, hermeneutical methods, social change, and to a lesser extent linguistics, Hebrew, geography, astronomy, biology, geology, arts, literature, and applied mathematics.

Intl Dev 502 Global Civilization 2 (8)

An interdisciplinary study of development in classical civilizations and other cultures around the world from 400 BC through AD 200. This module integrates selected insights from the disciplines of world history, comparative religion, biblical studies, philosophy, hermeneutical methods, cultural anthropology, social change, fine arts, literature, and to a lesser extent political science, intercultural communication, linguistics, Greek and Hebrew, geography, other natural sciences, and mathematics. Prerequisite: Intl Dev 501 or equivalent.

Intl Dev 503 Global Civilization 3 (8)

An interdisciplinary study of development in major civilizations and other cultures around the world from AD 200 to 1945. This module integrates selected insights from the disciplines of world history, comparative religion, philosophical and ideological systems, cultural anthropology, social change, political science, and to a lesser extent fine arts, Greek and Hebrew, biblical studies, geography, astronomy, other natural sciences, and mathematics. Prerequisite: Intl Dev 502 or equivalent.

Intl Dev 504 Global Civilization 4 (8)

An interdisciplinary study of development in the world’s cultures from 1945 to the present. This module integrates selected insights from the disciplines of intercultural communication, modern history, cultural anthropology, developmental strategies, sociology of contemporary issues, comparative religion, social change, political science, comparative religion, ethics, philosophical, theological, and ideological systems, applied science, literature, fine arts, and to a lesser extent applied mathematics, biblical studies, Greek, and Hebrew. Includes a major research paper. Prerequisite: Intl Dev 503 or equivalent.

Intl Dev 565 History and Trends in International Development (4)

This course is designed to provide the history and a broad overview of the discipline of International Development, and to explore the specialized emphases of development as now current within academic and governmental (national and international) circles, as well as the specialized roles, both historical and actual, of NGOs. Required for the Ph.D. degree; equivalent study integrated into other courses or taken at other institutions may meet this requirement.

Int Dev 573 Research Methodologies (4)

This course focuses on the techniques of the qualitative and quantitative methods of research in order to collect and analyze data. This will be supplemented with basic statistics used in social sciences to provide evidence to validate the findings. This course will prepare students to write their research proposal and to do research on the doctoral level.

Int Dev 530 Introduction to Research Statistics (3)

This course focuses on the statistical terms, methods, and analyses. This course will help you understand the basic statistics used in social sciences to provide evidence to validate the findings. The basic concepts and applications of statistics are explained so that you can understand the statistical materials in journal articles and dissertations, explain what the results of many statistical analyses mean, and perform basic statistical procedures.

(-) 579 Developments in (the discipline) (1-3)

Readings on recent developments in major areas of the discipline; also may include new technical skills. Designed to offer an update for students with significant but not current background in the discipline. Required in some programs to validate studies taken more than four years ago; in which case it does not apply toward minimum requirements for degree programs since credit is awarded for the earlier studies being updated. Prerequisite: Significant background in the subject.

(-) 580-589 Topics in (discipline) (1-4)

Individualized course on different topics.

(-) 590 Field Study (2-4)

Field-based directed study of a specific culture, development or communications project, or voluntary organization, normally in a developing culture other than the student’s own, using participant-observation and ethnographic interviewing techniques. Different field studies may be taken for credit.

(-) 591 Field Research (3-4)

Original field-based research, designed to provide training in research methods for advanced undergraduate and graduate students and to yield contributions to current knowledge. Different field research projects may be taken for credit.

(-) 592 Practicum (1-4)

Practical experience in applying theory and methods of the discipline, under the guidance of a faculty member and field supervisor. May be repeated for credit. Advanced preparation in the discipline may be required in some cases.

(-) 593 Workshop (1-4)

Practical sessions applying methods and techniques. Students typically do hands-on practical assignments or participate in group projects. Different workshops may be taken for credit.

(-) 594 Internship (2-4)

Intensive supervised internship in a professional work setting, under the guidance of a faculty member and of a qualified supervisor. Specific objectives are defined in a learning contract. Normally, 8 hours per week of supervised work and in-service training are required for the semester per unit credit. May be repeated for credit.

(-) 596 Conference (1-4)

Conferences in which experts present papers on a range of topics. Students typically do related readings and write a major paper; they sometimes participate as discussants. Conference topics vary. Credit may be given for participation in different conferences.

(-) 597 Colloquium (1-4)

Special sessions with experts from different disciplines presenting papers focused on a particular theme. Students typically do related readings and write a major paper under the guidance of an instructor in their field; they also may participate as discussants. Specific subjects may vary. Different symposiums may be taken for credit.

(-) 599 M.A. Research Paper, Thesis, or Project

Research for and writing of an M.A. Research Paper, Thesis, or Project. Prerequisites: Completion of M.A. comprehensive examination and consent of mentor.

(-) 699 Ph.D. Dissertation (2-8)

Research for and writing of a Ph.D. dissertation. Prerequisites: Advancement to Candidacy, completion of doctoral qualifying examination, and consent of doctoral committee. Two hours of credit per semester is normally given.