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110 CE 511 Theological and Theoretical Foundations of Cultural Engagement The biblical narrative offers beautiful and foundational perspectives on why and how the people of God should engage with the culture around them. In this course, students will discover these perspectives along with the roots of cultural engagement by studying all types of biblical literature and how concepts such as justice, shalom, the kingdom of God, love and human flourishing shape a Christian view of interacting with culture. Students will learn the historical and contemporary models for cultural engagement through theologians such as Bonhoeffer, Niebuhr, Hauerwas and Smith. Students will apply their biblical and theological view of cultural engagement through contextual learning and a short internship experience outside the classroom. Two or three hours. CE 512 Cultural Analysis and Theological Reflection For those who desire to minister and serve in a variety of contexts such as non-profit work, pastoral ministry or the secular workplace with a missional mindset, the skills of theological reflection and social analysis are crucial. Thus, this course introduces students to several methods of theological reflection and gives opportunities to learn and practice the principles and characteristics of public theology. Students will learn how to integrate knowledge and insight from social sciences, economics, and political theory with biblical and theological truth around specific social concerns. Three hours. CE 600 Social Concerns and Community Development Understanding the complexity of any social issue is the responsibility of those who seek to be a positive influence for change. To this end, students in this course will wrestle with the theological and social causes, forces of influence, ethics, and models for change in a variety of social concerns. Students will be introduced to the complexities of concerns such as racial issues, migration and immigration, poverty and economic systems plus wrestle with the different cultural views of personhood, marriage and kinship, and social control around the globe. Students will think through strategies in community development, models for relief and development, and social entrepreneurship. This course includes a short internship experience so students can immerse themselves in learning from practitioners involved in some aspect of community development. Three hours. CE 611 The Mission of the Church in Engaging Systems and Structures Over the centuries the church has disagreed on the nature of its mission. From Christendom to Reformation to alternative community, models of the church's mission to the world have differed. In this course, students will engage the debate and learn historical and contemporary models and perspectives from across the denominational spectrum regarding the mission of the church. Cultural engagement requires understanding societal systems and structures and how the church's mission might interact with this element of culture. Students will wrestle with the church's involvement in two of the largest systems in human society, the public sector and the corporate world, and use systems-thinking to develop strategies for social change. Three hours. CE 612 Intercultural Communication, Contextualization and Leadership Theological reflection and theoretical models must support practical skills so students are prepared to engage the world in redemptive ways. This course provides students with skills in vital areas of intercultural communication, intercultural leadership, cultural exegesis, and networking. Students will rigorously engage the function and meaning of contextualization, the processes of cultural change, and the theology of diversity. Students will study interpersonal and intergroup conflict and learn skills in resolution, reconciliation, and mutual dialogue. In order to learn and apply the principles of this course in a practical and experiential manner, attendance at the "Confluence Conference" is a required part of this course. Physical attendance is preferred but virtual attendance is an option as approved by the instructor. Three hours.