The academic director must approve topics for independent study. Students work under the direction of faculty members.

Este curso va dirigido a estudiantes que poseen ya un nivel avanzado de la lengua y que quieren perfeccionarse a través de la ampliación y el enriquecimiento de vocabulario, la elección correcta de las formas verbales, la complejidad de las estructuras, etc. Se pretende, por tanto, que el estudiante llegue a hablar, escribir y pensar en español con bastante fluidez y naturalidad.

Este curso estudia la obra literaria de Don Quijote de la Mancha a través de la lectura, estudio y análisis de los capítulos más importantes de cada una de las dos partes de las que se compone, enmarcándola en su contexto histórico y cultural. Prerrequisitos: El estudiante debe tener un nivel avanzado de español.

Este curso pretende proporcionar una visión de conjunto de la literatura romántica española enmarcándola en su contexto histórico y cultural. Para ello, se prestará especial atención a conceptos amplios, tales como épocas, tendencias intelectuales y literarias, géneros, etc. Al mismo tiempo se estudiarán monográficamente algunos autores y obras individuales como medio para ilustrar dichos conceptos y para profundizar en la práctica del análisis literario. Prerrequisitos: El estudiante debe tener un nivel avanzado de español.

Este curso es una visión global de la historia de España desde el inicio del siglo XX hasta nuestros días. Se abarcarán todos los puntos de vista, no solo el político sino también el social, económico y cultural. Prerrequisitos: El estudiante debe tener un nivel avanzado de español 2 B. Objetivos del Curso 1. El estudiante necesitará adquirir una visión global de la situación en el mundo, en Europa y más concretamente en España de los distintos fenómenos y acontecimientos políticos, militares y económicos y sociales sucedidos durante el siglo XX. 2. Conocerá con detalle todas las situaciones por las que ha ido pasando nuestro país, en especial las características de la dictadura del general Franco y, tras la muerte del dictador, el fenómeno político y social de la Transición a la democracia. 3. Comprenderá la mentalidad de los españoles durante estos periodos: su visión política, su religiosidad, sus preocupaciones sociales y económicas, sus esperanzas y frustraciones. 4. El estudiante será capaz de entender e interpretar muchas de las situaciones históricas y políticas que se presentan hoy en día en España y en el mundo en general, con lo que adquirirá una visión más crítica del mundo en el que vive.

El estudiante tendrá una orientación a la cultura del voluntariado en Sevilla. También recibirá formación lingüística específica a su área de voluntariado (ej: educación, trabajo con jóvenes o ancianos). El estudiante trabajará con organizaciones sin lucro, iglesias o agencias que pretenden mejorar la situación de los necesitados en Sevilla. El estudiante realizará un mínimo de horas de contacto dependiendo del número de créditos elegidos. Además del trabajo en su propio sitio, el estudiante participará en la clase cada otra semana para explorar los temas de servicio intercultural, pobreza real, justicia social, privilegio y más, completando varias lecturas y tareas dependiendo del número de créditos elegidos.

This course is an introduction to the history of Western ideas in the ages of Classicism, early Christianity, the Renaissance, the Reformation, the Enlightenment, Romanticism, Modernism, and Postmodernism. Its design provides students with a more enhanced sense of how historical human thought and events shaped modern Western world views and how a Christian worldview appropriates these ideas. These eras are further examined in light of their aesthetics that reflect the thoughts and feelings of the movements, primarily through philosophy, theology, and literature, while secondarily throughout art, architecture, music, and science. Field trips to classic sites in and around Rome, as well as to Athens and Corinth, are an integral feature.

Learn the value of art through experience! Engage with the ancient ruins of Rome, sacred spaces of worship, the cityscape of Florence, and some of the greatest sculptures and paintings of Western civilization. This course provides an interactive approach to understanding and appreciating art. Choose from three tracks: Drawing and Sketching, Watercolor Painting, or general ArtAppreciation. Each track involves subject and style studies, specific art and architectural assignments, exercises in creative and expressive thinking, exploration of the elements and principles of design, and skill development in a biblical worldview of art analysis and critique. Learn on location with daily site-specific encounters using exercises and projects of Ancient Art through Baroque art. A short supply list of necessary art materials will be provided and will then be the responsibility of the student to obtain before the start of the course.

This course will maximize the experience of living in Europe by developing the student’s cultural intelligence to enable them to function effectively with other cultures. Students will be introduced to survival Italian language learning to help in their daily lives in Rome. Students will also have an introduction to the cultural history of Rome by exploring the daily life of ancient Romans in relation to their language, culture, and religion. Students will be introduced to the historical and cultural context of the Roman world as it affected future developments in Western society. As they live in Rome, students will combine classroom sessions with field trips to the modern city of Rome as well as the ancient sites of Rome and Pompeii.

Over the past two decades, the information industry has undergone a radical transformation. These changes have affected products, business models, target audiences, markets, technology, competitors and regulatory frameworks. However, certain things remain constant. Journalism can and must be a Christian vocation, lived out in royal, priestly and prophetic ways. Christian journalists must find ways to express and share their biblical worldview in both Christian and secular media. This course explores the techniques of contemporary journalism with the aim of telling stories in the macro-history of creation-fall-redemption and restoration.

History of Christianity is a survey of the development of the Christian Church from the close of the New Testament period to the present time, with special attention to the role of Rome in the development of Christian thought. The course will provide an examination of the church as an institution and as a people. Thus, while context, dates and names establish the background for historical understanding of the institution of the church, ideas will also be discussed from an explicitly evangelical perspective. Students will therefore gain a historical basis for understanding current ideas and trends in the church and in ministry.

This interactive course will explore our relationship with food from a biblical perspective while discovering Italian food culture. From the first page to the last page of the Bible, food is ever-present. It can be considered a key to appreciating the created life, coming to terms with the life broken by sin, and tasting the life redeemed by Christ. In and with food passes culture and the new culture generated by the Gospel. Food creates community, shapes existence and nourishes the celebration of God. Is it possible to do a biblical theology of food? Is it possible to promote a Christian culture of food that extends beyond the dinner table? Yes! And what better place to engage with this theme than in Italy! Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! (Psalm 34:8)

This international business course covers topics such as globalization, trade, the impact of politics and culture on international business, the international monetary system, entry strategies, marketing, supply chains, and the importance of understanding religious and ethical issues when conducting international business. The course recognizes the complexity of cross-cultural understanding/venturing and seeks to deepen the understanding of faith in the global business environment.

Ethics is a branch of learning at the intersection between philosophy, theology, sociology, psychology, history, technology, etc. attempting at answering the questions related to the morality of human reasoning and actions, e.g. what is right and wrong in given situations according to the different subjects involved. The course will expound a“perspectival” approach to ethics by way of tackling it in terms of three inter-related perspectives: Normative, Situational, and Existential. Students will be introduced to ethical systems (both ancient, modern, and contemporary ones) which give priority to one or the other, often at the expense of other perspectives and therefore leading to unbalanced ethical systems. Students will have the opportunity not only to detect strengths and pitfalls of non-Christian ethical systems but also to appreciate the richness and viability of the Christian moral framework.

A study of what Christian Spiritual Formation is and how it is actually transformative in nature. The students will be studying what is involved in the process of becoming more like Christ through reading, discussion, and personal times of prayer and reflection. There will be special emphasis given to understanding the importance of one’s identity being in Christ as a basis for all Spiritual endeavor, as well as discovery of the many things that compete for finding one’s identity in them. There will be significant time spent on the problem of the hidden heart and the part sin plays in this journey.

This course will offer a survey of the life and theology of the Apostle Paul as described by the book of Acts, and the 13 bible books attributed to him. Besides the trinity, no other person in history has made such a large contribution to the growth of the church, the structure of the church, and the development and the systematic presentation of God’s redemptive and life-changing plan made possible by the death and resurrection of Christ and the giving of the Holy Spirit. This course will explore the person and character of Paul and the Christian experience that changed not only his life, the lives of millions who have walked with Jesus after him. Our understanding of Paul and his mission will be enriched by exploring the social, political, religious, economic, and geographical background of Paul’s life and writings. Paul will become our model to follow in service, growth, suffering, rejoicing, persevering, and knowing the all-sufficient grace of God in our lives to accomplish the purposes to which God has called us.

An introductory course designed to provide a broad survey of biological principles and is primarily designed to provide meaningful and adequate exposure to biology for the non-science major. It will also help to prepare students for further study in the biological sciences. Because Ecuador is rich in biodiversity, it is an ideal place to survey biological principles. These principles will include the nature of science, discussion of origins, ecology, cell biology, genetics, zoology, and human anatomy, as well as an overview of their effects on daily life. While there is no laboratory class required for this course, a hands-on lab component and field experience will be included.

In this course, students will develop an appreciation of and the ability to think critically about art and how it relates to culture. Students will be provided with the tools to understand, analyze, and discuss works of visual art and material culture. This course is designed for non-Art majors and is an introduction to the history, analysis, and criticism of art through the exploration of works of Ecuadorian artists, architects and artisans. The elements of art and design will be studied to develop a more robust appreciation and enjoyment of art through interactive art exercises no matter the skill level. The goal is that art is living and continually shapes the visual culture surrounding us. Documentation of art analysis will be through writing and visual means. The greater context will integrate faith to a life of worship through a biblical worldview framework.

This course offers the student the opportunity to process the international internship experience under the professional supervision of the professor. This course will discuss re-entry components of the international experience and will incorporate a discussion of globalization as it relates to social work and the diversity of the social work profession in other countries. The senior international seminar is held two (2) hours weekly in which students submit their own practice records for critical study and offer constructive feedback to their peers. Emphasis is placed on the integration of students' social work theoretical knowledge and skills as they enter the profession. Students must demonstrate all social work competencies designated by the Council on Social Work Education.

This course provides an educationally directed practicum, introducing the student to agency-based social work practice. The student completes 150 hours in a social service setting, engaging in direct social work practice, under the guidance of a professional social worker. The student begins to integrate theory and practice and demonstrates beginning social work practice behaviors.