This introductory course explores the biblical and theological foundations of race and ethnicity, emphasizing God’s design for human diversity. Students will examine key scriptural teachings on human identity, equality, and the call to love all people. The course introduces foundational concepts of race, ethnicity, and cultural diversity through a Christian lens, addressing issues such as bias, reconciliation, and unity in the body of Christ. Designed for lower-level undergraduates, it provides a supportive environment to build awareness and understanding of these topics.
This course equips students with a foundational understanding of race and ethnicity from a biblical perspective, enabling them to identify key scriptural passages that address human diversity and equality. Students will develop the ability to explain the theological significance of race and ethnicity in God’s plan for humanity, fostering a deeper appreciation for His design. Through reflective exercises, they will learn to recognize personal biases and propose practical ways to promote inclusivity in their communities. Additionally, the course empowers students to discuss how biblical principles can address contemporary issues related to race and ethnicity, preparing them for respectful and empathetic engagement with diverse communities in a manner rooted in Christian love.
This course lays the groundwork for understanding God’s heart for all people, encouraging students to embrace diversity as a reflection of His kingdom through a variety of engaging activities and assignments. Through reading reflections on biblical passages like Genesis 1:26-27 and Galatians 3:28, alongside theological articles, students will summarize key themes in 1-2 page responses, building a foundational understanding of scriptural teachings on diversity. Guided small-group discussions will foster active listening and empathy as students share insights about cultural interactions, while a weekly personal bias journal encourages self-reflection on experiences of bias, connecting these to course concepts. Group presentations analyzing contemporary issues, such as racial reconciliation, help students apply biblical principles to real-world challenges. Finally, a reflection paper integrates course insights with personal growth, equipping students with biblical tools to address bias and promote unity in their personal and communal lives.
This course is deeply biblically-based, grounding students in scriptural teachings like Genesis 1:26-27 and Galatians 3:28 to explore God's design for human diversity, equality, and unity. It fosters a missional perspective by examining how these texts inform ministry practices in cultural contexts, addressing bias and reconciliation through reflective exercises and discussions. This aligns with Missional University's emphasis on scripture as the foundation for faith, practice, and theological frameworks in mission.
This introductory course is missionally-driven, equipping students to join God's mission by understanding race and ethnicity through a Christian lens, promoting reconciliation and inclusivity in diverse communities. Activities like group presentations on contemporary issues and personal bias journals encourage discerning God's work among peoples, applying biblical principles to real-world challenges. It reflects Missional University's value of participating in the missio Dei, transforming people and communities through empathetic engagement rooted in God's global mission.
The course is contextually-informed by integrating cultural research into explorations of race, ethnicity, and bias, helping students develop missional approaches for their local communities. Through discussions on cultural interactions and analyses of contemporary racial issues, it uses demographic and sociographic insights to inform ministry practices. This supports Missional University's core value of leveraging contextual data to enhance understanding of sociocultural environments, ensuring biblically-rooted responses to diversity are relevant and effective in students' settings.
Emphasizing God's creative diversity in humanity, the course is interculturally-focused, fostering appreciation for varied ethnic and cultural expressions of bibilcal faith. Students examine scriptural calls to love and unity, addressing bias through reflective journals and small-group sharing of cultural insights. It promotes culturally-appropriate faith practices, aligning with Missional University's value of embracing diverse cultures and encouraging authentic expressions, preparing students for respectful engagement with global communities in a manner that honors Christian love and reconciliation.
Practically-minded, the course builds missional skills through hands-on activities like weekly bias journals, group presentations on racial reconciliation using scriptural references, and a final reflection paper integrating personal growth with course concepts. It equips students to apply theological insights to promote inclusivity and address contemporary issues in their communities. This embodies Missional University's focus on skill development for effective ministry roles, enhancing students' usefulness in congregational and communal missional practices.
The course is experientially-transformed, incorporating field-like practices such as guided discussions, personal journals on bias experiences, and presentations analyzing real-world issues with biblical reflection. These elements encourage theological and missional interpretation within a community setting, fostering personal and communal transformation. It mirrors Missional University's value of experiential learning through reflection and collaboration, equipping students with transformative skills to address diversity, unity, and reconciliation in their lives and ministries.
