Diploma in Intercultural Studies Information for NZ students (New diploma taught from February 2018)
A new diploma from February 2018. Normally completed over two semesters (1 year full-time), residential. The Diploma in Intercultural Studies (Level 5) programme (120 credits) offers cross-cultural ministry experience together with foundational academic subjects delivered in the following 6 courses. 'Level 5' qualifications in New Zealand are generally deemed to be equivalent to the first year of undergraduate study. It is 120 credits which in New Zealand is equivalent to 1,200 hours of study, both classroom and self-directed.
This diploma programme will normally be completed over two semesters (1 year full-time). The programme offers cross-cultural ministry experience together with academic subjects delivered in 6 courses. The programme is registered with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority [Reg no. 2793].
For more details click on the individual course names:
Subject | Level | Credits | |
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Christian Foundations | |||
This 15 credit course aims to introduce the learner to core doctrines of Christian theology in the context of cross-cultural Christian ministry and examines the way in which these formulate the basis for a contemporary Christian worldview. The course consists of the following two components Theology 1 - 10 creditsA strictly introductory study of Western Christian Systematic Theology, covering all of its well established categories including: Christian authority (revelation and the Bible); the doctrine of God; the nature of man and sin (Anthropology); the person and work of Christ (Christology); Redemption; the Holy Spirit (Pneumatology); the Church (Ecclesiology) and the last things (Eschatology). The relevance and importance of theology in the proclamation of the Christian gospel in cross-cultural settings will be examined. The class will also equip the learner with the background needed to commence studies in non-Western Christian Theology later in the college programme. Biblical Theology of Mission - 5 creditsThis component will lead to a greater understanding of the theology behind the mission of God to the world; His concern for mankind as revealed in the Scriptures, His provision for their redemption, and His purposes for those he has redeemed and for His creation. |
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Survey of the Old and New Testaments | |||
This course aims to introduce learners to the background, composition and interpretation of Scripture and consists of the following two components: Old Testament Survey - 15 creditsThis component provides an overview of the Old Testament, considering the background, genre and content of indiviual books within the whole. dentify and analyse the overarching biblical narrative and associated themes presented; analyse the origin, context and key events in given passages. The survey will apply key principles of Scripture in contemporary cross-cultural ministry life. New Testament Survey - 15 creditsThis component provides an overview of the New Testament, considering the background, genre and content of each book within the whole. It will begin with a study of the four Gospels, which portray the life and mission of the Lord Jesus Christ within the framework of the Kingdom of God, then move to Acts of the Apostles for an overview of the advance of the missionary project of Jesus’ apostles from the ‘Great Commission’ of Acts 1:8 to the arrival of the Gospel in Rome in Acts 28. The apostolic writings from 1 Corinthians through to Revelation will be examined for their special characteristics, perspectives and contribution to the growth of the Church then and now. |
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World Religions and the Christian Worldview | |||
This course aims and explore the Christian worldview as well as the relationships (including cultural perspectives) to introduce students to other Abrahamic and non-Abrahamic world religions. This course is a level 6 course and gives the student a choice of 3 out of 4 possible components listed below. Islam - 5 creditsThis component is an introduction to Islam and its origins. It will evaluate the influence of Islam on traditional Moslem cultures. It will examine the practices and beliefs of Islam. It will evaluate and how Christianity and Islam have interacted historically and today. It will contrast the Islamic and Christian worldviews. Hinduism & Buddhism - 5 creditsThis component is an introduction to Hinduism and Buddhism and their origins. It will evaluate the influence of Hinduism and Buddhism on their respective cultures. It will examine the practices and beliefs of Hinduism and Buddhism. It will evaluate and how Christianity and Hinduism and Buddhism have interacted historically and today. It will contrast the Hinduism and Buddhism and Christian worldviews. Primal Religion - 5 creditsThis compoenent will introduce the student to traditional religions around the world. It will evaluate the common features of these traditional religious beliefs and contrast them with the Christian worldview. Secular Humanism - 5 creditsSecular Humanism is dominant cultural influence in the Western world. This component will introduce the student to the assumptions and worldview of Secular Humanism contrasting it with the Christian worldview and evaluate the effects of Secular Humanism on culture. |
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Ministry Practicum | |||
The aim of this course is to provide learners with the opportunity to develop effective ministry practice for personal and spiritual development. It is comprised of the following two components, covering aspects of practical Christian Ministry: Communicating the Gospel - 10 creditsAn introduction to the biblical principles and for the communication of the gospel of Jesus Christ and how they apply to the student and the world today. Exposure will be given to a variety of evangelism methods and settings. Team Ministry - 10 creditsThis component consists of 36 weeks of regular supervised weekly cross-cultural ministry in the local community in a variety of settings. |
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Intercultural & Spiritual Foundations | |||
This course aims to equip students for cross-cultural ministry/pastoral care. This includes the study of phonetics and teaching to develop language teaching skills to facilitate cross-cultural communication and pastoral care. This course consists of the following two components: Foundations in language Learning - 10 creditsThis class is an introduction to the nature of languages and to self-directed language and culture acquisition to facilitate cross-cultural communication and pastoral care. The focus will be on how to plan a language learning programme and practice working with a native speaker of another language. The students will also study phonetics in order to recognise and produce the most common speech sounds of the world, along with an introduction to grammatical structures and meaning. Intercultural Pastoral Care - 10 CreditsThis component will explore a broad range of aspects of pastoral care within a cross-cultural context and specifically the care of Christian workers. The content reviews a broad range of topics and provides tools and insights useful in the care of others. There will be a review of the responsibilities of those involved in pastoral care both individually and within organizational structures. |
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Service in Mission | |||
This course aims to introduce learners to cross-cultural Christian service and ministry in agencies, non-government organisations (NGOs) and churches.
This course consists of the following four components Care Groups & Prayer - 5 creditsThe aim of this course component is to provide learners with the opportunity to develop effective ministry practice for personal and spiritual development using prayer in various settings. On completion of this component, students be will also be able to evaluate and document a prayer ministry programme based on strategies that integrate both the personal and community faith journeys. This class will develop skills for maintaining spiritual vitality and growth. The emphasis will be on the student’s personal spirituality including devotional, quiet times. Spiritual Warfare - 5 creditsThis is a study of the nature of the encounter between God and satanic powers in human experience, set against the background of biblical revelation about the spirit world. The class studies Satan's strategy to counter world evangelization and to cause Christians to be ineffective in ministry and teaches effective prayer strategies to bring God’s power into practical situations faced by those involved in Christian ministry. Attention is given to the ways in which the powers of darkness try to alienate humanity from God through deception and, ultimately, to destroy humanity. Contemporary mission - 5 creditsOne week block component giving training on current issues in cross-cultural Christian mission from a visiting lecturer. Children in Crisis - 5 creditsOne week block component giving training on Christian ministry to children in crisis in different contexts.
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21 College Drive RD1,
Taupiri 3791, New Zealand
Freephone: 0800 89 64 77
Phone: +64-7-824 3417
Fax: +64-7-824 3418