Course Information

Required Courses

The purpose of this course is to help students trace and assess the influence of the Bible, and those who have believed and championed it, on human civilization. Students think through the BIG questions of origins and the mysteries of existence in the light of Genesis One. A study of primeval history (Genesis 1- 11), including the entry of evil, is featured as the introduction to the Bible, the beginning of the Story and the stage upon which all subsequent drama is played out, examining its legacies for the world, good 8 and bad. The significance of the Abrahamic covenant and the patriarchs (Genesis 12-50) for the mission of God is studied, as well as the significance of elect Israel and the Jewish people for world redemption and civilization. The Biblical metanarrative is emphasized, as the story of our World, and the need and invitation for all to embrace it; History is “HisStory.” We explore the inauguration of the Kingdom of God, by Jesus the Messiah, the “Hinge of History.” From there we trace the salient points of expansion of the Christian movement over the last 2000 years, noting periods of recession and renewal movements and the continued expansion as a global phenomenon, and the impact of the Christian movement on culture and human development It provides a chronological overview of the historical and cultural aspects of the global development of the biblical faith, with special attention to the biblical foundations for addressing the roots of human problems around the world. The positive and negative impact of the Christian movement on culture and human development is examined as well as principles for effective cross-cultural communication of biblical faith.

As part of the mission of William Carey International University (WCIU) to “enhance the effectiveness of scholar-practitioners as they serve with others to develop transformational solutions to the roots of human problems around the world,” this course is designed to provide an overview of the history and trends in global development. Recognizing that the complexity and multifaceted nature of human needs require cross-disciplinary research and analysis, this course provides a range of perspectives relevant and current in the field, surveys key theories and models, and prepares students to engage in global development as an integrated academic field.

This course provides learners with general knowledge of how national and global economics impact people’s well-being and their development. It equips them to better understand economic theories and models, draw on different strands of economics for their own work and challenge economic thinking more fruitfully when necessary. The learners will also be equipped to engage better with economists and policymakers on economic matters.

This course relates biblical and theological perspectives on human development to the theory and practice of community wealth building. Special emphasis is given to considering how working women in the slums might use micro-enterprises and individual development accounts to create a better environment for asset building and ownership.

This course is intended to provide students with the knowledge and skills to do research in both the academic setting and in the practical world of development. The students will be equipped to develop meaningful research projects as well as analyze, interpret and report data using statistical techniques. Six major areas of quantitative research are examined with application to a specific area of research in which the student is currently working on.

Students in this course design qualitative/participatory research projects related to significant issues on behalf of an urban movement or community organization. Students apply analytic frameworks and practical skills to an investigation of a specific issue on behalf of a church movement or community organization that involves local residents in specific transformation efforts. Research methods are taught and used to gather and organize pertinent information, culminating in the writing and oral presentation of a Professional Report.

Individual Courses

1. Development Studies

   • DS 520/720 Global Transformation 

   • DS 515/715 International Development in the Contemporary World

2. Transformational Urban Leadership   

   • TUL 620/720 Leadership in Urban Movements 

   • TUL 630/730 Theology & Practice of Community Transformation

3. Global Women Empowerment

   • GWE 611/711 Women & Men in Leadership

   • GWE 510/710 Women in Development  

Global Development requires interdisciplinary research in order to address the multifaceted nature of the study. The independent study gives students the opportunity to focus on the needed areas in one of the related disciplines. i.e., biblical studies, if the student’s research focus requires significantly in-depth biblical investigation, or cultural studies if the student’s research focus requires an understanding of a particular aspect of cultural dynamics. The instructor outlines the course based on the student’s specific academic needs in dissertation research and writing on that topic.

Building on the various research methodologies in Research Methods I & II, this course guides students through the development of a first draft of the Research Proposal, understanding of ethics in human subjects research in national and international contexts, thus equipping the student for the next stages of the doctoral project in preparation for successfully writing a research-based dissertation.

In this course, the candidate proceeds to field research as designed in the approved Research Proposal following elements of data collection and processing for qualitative and/or quantitative research, under the guidance of a research supervisor.

Major Evaluations

The Doctoral Qualifying Exam tests students’ ability to apply and synthesize knowledge of the field of Global Development, particularly of the chosen concentration, and research methodologies.

The examination consists of two mandatory parts:

1. A written examination covering the associate’s chosen concentration in the context of the larger field of Global Development; followed by,

2. A proctored oral examination on the research methodologies and design relevant to the student’s dissertation research. The proctored oral exam will be conducted conjointly by the doctoral supervisory committee and a WCIU representative.

Ph.D. students must pass the doctoral qualifying exam (DQE) to demonstrate that they are prepared to advance to Ph.D. Candidacy and undertake independent research for the dissertation.

The DQE questions should consist of 4 to 8 questions dealing with the following and, as a result, students demonstrate achievement of the DQE objectives:

• Knowledge and understanding of the field of study and related areas to the dissertation research, and the ability to evaluate and integrate the models, theories, and concepts of the field.

• Ability to apply an integrated approach in assessing local development challenges in light of biblical, historical, cultural and global perspectives.

• Knowledge and understanding of relevant research methods and applications.

One of the research courses, Applied Research I, is designed to guide students through the development of a first draft of the Research Proposal. This course follows research methodology courses on both quantitative and qualitative research methods in graduate-level academic research and guides students in designing the research procedures. Students have the opportunity to work with the doctoral supervisory committee in the research design, benefiting from their expertise and guidance.

A first draft of the proposal should be sent to the members of the committee.  Procedures for obtaining the consensus of the entire committee will vary somewhat, depending on the committee’s preferred method of working.  In any event, it is customary for there to be considerable interaction between the committee members and the student regarding the proposal, which represents a kind of blueprint or model for the final dissertation.  It is quite likely that more than one draft will be needed before the committee gives final approval.  The proposal should be no less than 40 pages in length.

After the committee consensus on the proposal, the Chair of the doctoral supervisory committee should submit it to the Office of Doctoral Studies for review. The student will be notified in writing of official approval.

Dissertation Defense

Writing and defending a dissertation is a process that involves synthesizing, organizing and reporting research findings as well as completing the needed chapters for the dissertation. To encourage progress toward the successful completion of a dissertation and bolster students’ confidence during the long journey, students entering the dissertation writing stage are required to register once a year for the Dissertation Seminar (0 credits). The Dissertation Seminar will provide opportunities for doctoral candidates to participate in research forums, share research progress reports, hear others’ oral defenses, participate in webinars on global development, and partake of Institute offerings (e.g. 11 Institute of China Studies, Urban Leadership Institute, the Women’s Institute). The Dissertation Seminar keeps doctoral candidates involved in research and dissertation related discussions while they are focused on writing their dissertations. The research forums allow for mutual learning from current research taking place in the field of global development and provides platforms for networking, partnership, and information sharing among national and international communities of scholars and practitioners.

Oral Defense - When the Ph.D. candidate’s doctoral supervisory committee have reviewed the dissertation and agreed that the candidate could move forward to an oral defense, the mentor coordinates the defense schedule with the Office of Doctoral Studies. The oral defense is open to all members of the PhD Program Committee at WCIU and invited guests.

Scope of the oral defense includes:

• Purpose and rationale for the investigation

• Scope and command of relevant literature

• Relevancy and adequacy of the research methodology for the investigation

• Quality of the collection and analysis of the research data

• Quality of the conclusions with respect to the relevancy and consistency of the
  research problems and data analysis.
  Candidates should reference Dissertation Defense Evaluation Guide in preparation for the oral defense. The Guide outlines the process of the oral defense, and key areas of evaluation (see Appendix D: Dissertation Defense Evaluation Guide).
  The Dean of Doctoral Studies will appoint an Examining Committee which consists of members of Dissertation Supervisory Committee and two faculty representatives, with the candidate’s Mentor serving as the Chair. Dissertation Evaluation Forms will be collected after the oral defense from all members of the Examining Committee, who will review recommendations from each member and deliberate on the result of the defense. The Chair of the Examining Committee will notify the result of the defense to the candidate and follow up with feedback, comments, revision recommendations from examiners and communicate with the candidate.

  • Pass or Pass with minor revision are considered successful defense of the dissertation.

  • For Pass with minor revision, examiners should elaborate on the evaluation form as to where revision is recommended. The doctoral supervisory committee will be responsible for the final approval of the revised dissertation.

  • For Major revision needed, examiners should elaborate on your evaluation form as to where major revision is recommended. When revision is done, the dissertation will be evaluated by the doctoral supervisory committee before requesting for an oral defence for the second time. Failure to successfully defend the dissertation will result in termination from the program.