MI530: Cross-Cultural Work in Context (4 units)
Martin Accad, Associate Professor of Islamic Studies
Summer 2008,Beirut, Lebanon

DESCRIPTION:

This course will be focused on a practical learning experience. The students will experience the real context in which incarnational work is carried out in today’s Arab Middle East. Students will have an opportunity to learn first hand from those who are involved in such cross-cultural work among various Arab peoples of Lebanon, as well as being directly involved themselves. Their involvement will be diversified depending on their pre-agreed preferences and personal profiles, in consultation with the facilitating professor. Some possibilities will be: urban Sunni Beirutis, university students, inner-city Shiites, shanty towns, children at risk, rural Druze, settled Bedouins; in Beirut, the Bekaa Valley and South Lebanon. There will be regular reflection sessions among members of the group and specific inputs by the facilitating professor and invited guests. Also, local workers and experts will be available for sharing, questions and evaluation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

1. Acquire a first hand understanding of present cross-cultural challenges and needs in the Arab world
2. Assess the significance of a wide variety of enterprises that have been studied and experienced
3. Explore personal cross-cultural calling and potential longer-term involvement

COURSE FORMAT:

This course will be spread over 5 weeks within the 6-week Lebanon Practicum, integrated with language study (MR548). After the first week with the conference, time will be spent in Beirut in language study and some introductory sessions to Middle Eastern cultural, religious and political realities. 2 weeks will be spent in visiting and participating in a variety of cross-cultural work in and around Beirut. 2 other weeks will be spent outside of Beirut in a more rural setting. The daily schedule will vary according to the situation, but it will normally include relationship building, observation and participation in cross-cultural activity, and group reflection sessions.

REQUIRED READING: If you have previously read any of the required texts, please select an alternative text from the recommended reading list or a book approved by the instructor.

1. Accad, Fouad. Building Bridges: Christianity and Islam. NavPress, 1997.
2. Fisk, Robert. Pity the Nation: The Abduction of Lebanon. 4th Edition. Nation Books, 2002.
3. Kateregga, Badru D, & D. W. Shenk. A Muslim and a Christian in Dialogue. Scottdale: Herald Press, 1980, 1997.
4. Muller, Roland. Honor and Shame: Unlocking the Door. XLibris, 2001.
5. Musk, Bill A. Touching the Soul of Islam: Sharing the Gospel in Muslim Cultures. Crowborough: MARC, 1995.

RECOMMENDED READING:

1. Chapman, Colin. Whose Promised Land. Baker Books, 2002.
2. Deeb, Marius. Militant Islamic Movements in Lebanon: Origin, Social Basis and Ideology. Washington, DC: The Center for Contemporary Arab Studies, Georgetown University, 1986.
3. Mackey, Sandra. Lebanon: A House Devided. New York: Norton, 2006.
4. Kramer, Martin. The Moral Logic of Hizballah. Occasional Paper, no. 101, Tel Aviv: The Dayan Center for Middle Eastern and African Studies. The Shiloah Institute: Tel Aviv University, 1987.
5. Mallat, Chibli. Shi‘i Thought from the South of Lebanon. Oxford: Centre for Lebanese Studies, 1988.
6. Mallouhi, Christine. Waging Peace on Islam. IVP, 2002.
7. Morris, Benny. The Birth of the Palestinian Refugee Problem Revisited. Cambridge University Press, 2003.
8. Sizer, Stephen. Christian Zionism: Road-Map to Armageddon?. IVP, 2005.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Read at least 500 pages drawn from books not previously read in the required reading list, and supplemented by the recommended reading list or approved substitutes
2. Keep an ongoing journal with a daily one-page entry throughout the practicum, integrating your experiences and readings
3. A final paper of 5,000 words, describing the experiences, evaluating the projects studied, and describing how cross-cultural principles are applied; or some other special project of special interest in coordination with the course instructor

PREREQUISITES: At least one Fuller Islamic Studies course.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: When taken along with MR548, fulfills practicum requirement in MA CCS program

FINAL EXAM: None

Catalog Description.

This course should not be listed in the catalog. MI530 is the generic catalog number we use when an SIS faculty member accompanies students through group practicum experiences. The locale, focus, and reading differ from offering to offering.

Note: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design, but is subject to modification. Last Date Edited: 19 March 2008