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International Studies

MAIS 5001 (0-0-0) International Job Shadowing

This course is an international shadowing experience where the student travels abroad to learn from a proficient foreign-based leader for a minimum of one business week accumulating 20-30 hours of job shadowing/training experience. The course functions like a capstone course for the program permitting an opportunity for the student to incorporate leadership and cross-cultural theories with practice as the student observes management or ministry strategies from a leader in an international context.

Requisites: None.

Offered:  Summer.

MAIS 5301 (3-3-0) Contemporary Global Issues (Travel Study)

This course is designed to enhance awareness of global issues in a designated foreign country. The travel-study course covers a range of contemporary topics relevant to the region of travel: 1) ethnic and cultural factors that lead to conflict; 2) international social justice issues; 3) cross-border global issues; 4) the intersection of state and religion; 5) technology; and 6) other issues relating to globalization.

Requisites: None.

Offered:  Fall.

MAIS 5302 (3-3-0) Geopolitics Through the Lens of Geography

This course is an overview of the specific unique characteristics of regions of the world related to their culture, economy, topography, climate, politics, and environmental factors. The course examines the importance of geography in geopolitics with emphasis on current issues of regional and global development.

Requisites: None.

Offered:  Spring, Online.

MAIS 5303 (3-3-0) Christian Perspectives on Global Religions and Worldviews (S-L)

This course examines beliefs and practices of religious traditions and worldviews around the globe and their effect on culture, geopolitics, and business. Through careful examination and analysis, students compare and contrast major religions and worldviews from a Christian perspective, and how the practice of these global beliefs impacts today's world. This course contains a field-based service-learning component.

Requisites: None.

Offered:  Spring.

MAIS 5304 (3-3-0) International Peace and Conflict Studies

This course explores the political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental factors associated with transnational conflicts and assesses different approaches to conflict resolution. The course covers the role of religion in conflict and peace studies, theories of conflict resolution in international relations, and case studies of various conflicts.

Requisites: None.

Offered:  Summer.

MAIS 5305 (3-3-0) Cultural Intelligence

This course examines the theory and application of cultural intelligence (CQ) for the purpose of enhancing cross-cultural engagement. With a deepened knowledge of the components and implications of CQ, students are better prepared to avoid misunderstandings, misalignment, and missed opportunities. As students learn how to best apply CQ within cultural interactions, they will become more effective as culturally-attuned thought leaders and collaborators in business ventures, diplomatic relations, and international ministry opportunities.

Requisites: None.

Offered:  Summer, Online.

MAIS 5310 (3-3-0) Short-Term International Immersion Experience (S-L)

This course is designed as a minimum four-week immersion venture in a foreign country which allows the student to gain first- hand knowledge and experience of that country’s civilization and culture alongside exposure to foreign language acquisition, global business strategies, governmental practices, international ministry programs, or non-government organizations. This course allows students to gain valuable hands-on experience from an international organization through an internship supervised by a mentor in a leadership position. This course contains a field-based service-learning component.

Requisites: None.

Offered:  Summer.

MAIS 5313 (3-3-0) Urbanization and Development

This course surveys the causes and effects of rapid urbanization in developing countries by forming foundational theories of economic development and urbanization through an historical lens. It explores how public governance and economics affect urban development. The course studies why countries urbanize and examines the development of systems in cities as a result of urbanization. Specific civil and social challenges such as income, poverty, health, human capital, and innovation arising from the emergence of rapidly growing cities of the developing world are highlighted. Regional perspectives are also considered beginning with the United States, Latin America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Requisites: None.

Offered:  Summer, Online.

MAIS 5314 (3-3-0) International Human Rights

This course will provide an overview of the history of international human rights, the United Nation’s departments in this field, and the theory and legal frameworks most often utilized by human rights scholars. 2018 was the seventieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights proclaimed by the UN General Assembly on December 10th, 1948. As all humans are created in the image of God (Imago Dei), it is important that the issues surrounding human rights and social justice are studied and acted upon for God’s glory.

Requisites: None.

Offered: Periodically.

MAIS 5317 (3-3-0) Comparing Government Structures and Political Systems

(POLS 5317)

The study and application of theories and concepts related to the scope of comparative politics and methods of comparing various aspects of political systems. The principles, structure, and operation of selected contemporary federations will be compared to each other and the federations of the North American continent. Special attention will be paid to the impact of contrasting cultures, geography, rule of law, and topography in the development of different governmental systems.

Requisites: None.

Offered:  Fall, Online.

MAIS 5318 (3-3-0) International Political Economy

International Political Economy (IPE) rests at the intersection of politics and the production, distribution, and consumption of scarce resources. IPE considers the flows of such production, distribution, and consumption across national borders, recognizing that not just national governments play a role, but foreign governments and international institutions must also be taken into consideration. How should governments intervene in a market-based economy? Is there room for “benevolent” intervention by regulators and what efficiency is lost in that process? These are but a few of the questions that will be considered in this course.

Requisites: None.

Offered:  Fall.

MAIS 6306 (3-3-0) Cross-Cultural and Global Leadership

(MAL 6306)

In this course, students will explore the nuances of leading in cross-cultural and global contexts. Students will develop an understanding of the opportunities and challenges that leading in diverse cultural environments brings and will study the skills and factors necessary to lead effectively in such environments. The critical goal of the course is to prepare students to adapt their leadership styles to be able to lead in these types of complex contexts with people from various cultures.

Requisites: None.

Offered:  Fall.