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INCL 201 Introduction to Global Issues (4,F,S)
Focuses on current global trends and issues. Students examine responsible alternatives seen from an interdisciplinary perspective based on biblical justice and mission. Topics include: poverty, disease, hunger, under-development, illiteracy, corruption, climate change, environmental degradation, religious and ethnic conflict. Students examine responses by global Christians both individually and collectively. This is the entry level course for the Intercultural Studies major.

INCL 211 Intercultural Transition and Adjustment (1, F, S, M)
Using the transition model for adjusting to another culture, the student is prepared to move into and adjust to another culture, and to gain a basic understanding of the culture. Cross-cultural communication, cross-cultural conflict, and cultural values are also examined as they relate to living and working in another culture. Required for Spanish and French majors (they may take the INCL 310 course) and encouraged for any student going on a Study Abroad experience. Is usually offered as a part of INCL 310 or may be offered as a course by itself in Mayterm.

INCL/MISS 231 Global Relief and Development (3, S)
Survey of the issues and principles involved in addressing the community level human crises in today’s world – poverty, hunger, refugees, disease, and underdevelopment. Introduction to a theology of compassion, causes, principles, and case studies. Special attention given to preparing for role of listener, facilitator, and change-agent.

INCL/MISS 240 Introduction to Islamics (3-4,S)

Muhammad's life and writings are the foundations of Islam. The Islamic faith will be appraised through a historical and primary source approach where students will read through the entire Qur'an in chronological fashion and a significant portion of the Hadiths. The student's mastery of Muhammad's life, of Quranic vocabulary and a confident grasp of Quranic theology will give them a strategic appreciation of Islamic history and the present global Muslim community issues. This course if a prerequisite to the others.

INCL/MISS 241 Contextual Approaches to Islamics (3-4,S)

For over 1400 years, Islam and Christendom have frequently engaged in rival forms of civilization encounters and/or clashes: invasions, polemics, diplomacy, colonization, dialog, commerce, academic research, and that according to the context of the era. Relying on comparative, historical, and missiological methodologies, students will study the ever-changing yet often-repeated approaches to Muslims in chronological appearance and from various Christian communities: the Oriental Churches, the Byzantine Orthodox Churches, the 'contextualized' approaches. Students will gain a strong confidence and learn wise diplomacy in sharing Jesus to Muslims in a wide variety of means.

INCL /SOC 243 Cultural Anthropology (CDRP, see Foreign Languages) (3, F)
Cultural and social aspects of human behavior; comparison of cultures.

INCL 250 Culture and History of Ethiopia (3)

(See Off-Campus Programs - GO Ed for course description)

INCL/INDS 310 Intercultural Transition, Adjustment & Research (3, F, S)
Starting with the transition model for adjusting to another culture, the student is further equipped to learn about a host culture using an ethnographic approach to culture study. This prepares the student to move into and adjust to another culture and to gain a comprehensive understanding of the culture. Cross-cultural communication, cross-cultural conflict, and cultural values are also examined as they relate to living and working in another culture. Required for students taking INCL/INDS 311.

INCL 311 Intercultural Experience (3, OD)
A cross-cultural experience in an approved setting in an area of service related to student’s concentration or field of interest. Preliminary studies and research, the dynamics of living and serving, ongoing mentorship, and periodic reflection will result in journaling and final summary synthesis research paper. This experience may be linked to formal study-abroad programs, official internship affiliation, or pre-approved individual arrangements.
Prerequisite: INCL 310.

INCL/EDUC 318 Intercultural Literacy and Development in Zambia (M,3)

This course will be an intense immersion experience in Zambia. There will be readings, lectures, and discussions on historical background, the culture, social issues, the educational system, and faith-based development work. There will be visits and excursions to places of cultural interest. There will also be an opportunity for service learning. The primary service learning opportunity will be to provide literacy and numeracy tutoring to orphans and vulnerable children who have limited access to formal education.

INCL/POLS 320 Community Organization and Development (3, F)
A comparative study of how local communities organize themselves to manage natural resources and provide collective goods and sources. Considers issues related to decentralization and sustainable development. Emphasis in analytic approaches to problem-solving.
Prerequisite: INCL 231

INCL/MISS 322 History of Islamic Theology and Movements (3-4, M)

Following the death of Muhammad, issues of theological orthodoxy and governmental orthopraxy flourished in a context of conflict and growth. Students will appraise the historical developments of Muhammad's life and his revelations in the areas of theology, philosophy, jurisprudence, governance, literature, and culture. Relying on the primary sources and historical disciplines, students will study the wide history of Islamic thought up until the OPEC crisis of 1973-74. Students will gain a confidence in grasping and discerning the many variants within the so-called Islamic ummah.

INCL 327/ESCI 202 Ecological Sustainability in Community Development (3)

(See Off-Campus Programs - GO Ed for course description)

INCL/POLS 333 War and Terrorism in the Middle East: History and Politics (3-4, F07, F09)

This course explores three phenomena: (1) war and terrorism in general and in the Middle East in particular; (2) the history and politics of this region (with forays into geography, religion, society, culture and economics) and (3) country-specific histories and politics. The course offers in-depth analyses concerning the religion and terrorism nexus, the Arab-Israeli conflicts and peacemaking, and the theory and practice of pacifism and just war. Liberal Arts Exploration - Social Science.

INCL/POLS 336 Governance and Politics in Developing Countries (3, OD)
A study of patterns of governance and politics typical of developing countries with an emphasis in relationships between governance and development.
Prerequisite: INCL 231

INCL/MISS 440 Unorthodox and Folk Islam (3-4, TBA)

Classical Islam is very resistant to creative theological variants within the Islamic ummah and brands them as deviant heresies, and of which Folk Islam is the most common expression. Yet 'unorthodox' expressions, even so-called 'secular Islam', are far more prevalent forms of Islam among the youth and womenfolk than the orthodox interpretations and Houghton students and graduates are far more likely to encounter these unorthodox expressions. This requires our students to grasp the diverse roots of widespread Islamic heterodoxy, syncretism, occult expressions, spiritual warfare, and secularism.

INCL/MISS 441 Islam in North America (3-4, TBA)

The Islamic movements in North America are unique in being both very recent and limited to Afro-Americans and immigrants. That is changing given that international funding for a vibrant political Islam in America is among the strongest emerging religions. Students will explore the various sociological expressions, their political aspirations and their texts. Special attention will be given to various Christian ministries to Muslims in North America.

INCL/MISS 442 Globalization and Islamization (3-4,M)

Among the three most vibrant international movements in the emerging 21st century are Christianity, Islam, and Globalization and the most contested nexus are in the techno-secularized cities of the world. Students will focus specifically on the post-colonial conflicts and integration efforts of Muslims in the global communities, and the impact of Globalization on Islamic societies. Attention will be given to recent international clashes between globalized secularism and Muslims, various political and Christian responses and the need for a Christ-centered confident response to both Globalization and Islamization.

INCL 345 Peacebuilding: Genocide and Religious Diversity (3)

(See Off-Campus programs - GO Ed for course description)

INCL 482 Senior Capstone: Intercultural Seminar ( 2, S)
Joint weekly discussion sessions of all senior majors aimed at reflection on critical broad principles and fine-tuning of abilities for intercultural service. Program faculty assumes team leadership and preparation of topics and format, and they each present a summary session on key issues for the entire seminar. Students each present an approved paper on area of interest stemming from studies and intercultural experience. Several weeks may be set aside for specific disciplines to meet separately for capstone discussions in their field.

INCL 291, 391, 491 Independent Studies (1-3, OD)

INCL 195, 295, 395, 495 Special Topics (1-3, OD)
Topics offered according to interest and demand.