Volume 6

The purpose of this paper is to demonstrate how the biblical worldview can be promoted in an online course in the graduate-level Business program at a Christian university. Three inter-related sections are used to delineate the importance of promoting the biblical worldview at the institutional, division, and curricular levels. First, the purpose, educational philosophy, and aims of the university are presented. Second, an overview of the graduate curriculum in Business clearly demonstrates harmony with the institutional purpose, educational philosophy, and aims. Third, a description of how the worldview is promoted in one specific course, International Business, provides a clear example of how the Business curriculum is in alignment with the purpose, educational philosophy, and aims of this Christian university. University Purpose, Educational Philosophy, and Aims The purpose of Liberty University is to “develop Christ-centered men and women with the values, knowledge, and skills essential to impact tomorrow’s world. The mission is carried out for resident students through a rigorous academic program and structured social environment. It is carried out for external students in a comparable academic program but without the structure of the resident community” (Liberty University Graduate Catalog, 2007, p. 5). Its educational philosophy promotes the ideas that “education as the process of teaching and learning involves the whole person, developing the knowledge, values, and skills that enable the individual to change freely. Thus it occurs most effectively when both instructor and student are properly related to God and each other through Christ” (Liberty University Graduate Catalog, 2007, p. 5). The University has published eleven fundamental Aims in support of its mission and educational philosophy (Liberty University Graduate Catalog, 2007, p. 5): “Contribute to a knowledge and understanding of other cultures and of international events. Promote an understanding of the Western tradition and the diverse elements of American cultural history, especially the importance of the individual in maintaining democratic and free market processes. Foster university level competencies in writing, speaking, reading, appreciation of the arts, analytical reasoning, computer literacy, and research. Enhance graduate level knowledge and skills, particularly in the areas of individual research and scholarship. Convey the different ways of acquiring knowledge in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Enable them to engage in a major field of study built on a solid foundation in the liberal arts. Explore the moral dimensions and ethical implications in the disciplines offered by the University. Assist in developing competence and determination in their approach to their vocation, including encouragement in choosing and following their vocation as a calling to glorify God, fulfilling the Great Commission, and doing the will of God through all of life. Promote the synthesis of academic knowledge and Christian values in order that there might be a maturing of spiritual, intellectual, social and physical behavior. Cultivate a sensitivity to the needs of others and a commitment to the betterment of humanity. Encourage a commitment to the Christian life, one of active communication of the Christian faith, personal integrity, and social responsibility which, as it is lived out, leads people to Jesus Christ as the Lord of the universe and their own personal Savior.” Graduate Business Programs All Liberty University graduate-level instruction in Business is administered through the Division of Graduate Studies and Distance Learning. Three degree programs are offered exclusively via the online modality of instruction: Master of Science in Accounting (MSA), Master of Business Administration (MBA), and Master of Science in Management (MSM). “The Master of Science in Accounting is a 30-hour graduate program that will provide students with the opportunity to complete 21 hours of advanced study in the core accounting areas of: auditing, accounting information systems, cost accounting, CPA law, accounting ethics, financial accounting theory, and tax research. The Master of Science in Management is a 30-hour graduate program that will provide students with the opportunity for specialization in the most popular of all business fields. It will consist of nine core management courses and one elective” (Liberty University Graduate Catalog, 2007, p.93). “The Master of Business Administration provides master’s level training to prepare persons for business leadership. In addition to a strong core curriculum, students are now able to specialize in one of four key business areas: Accounting, Human Resource Management, International Management, and Leadership. Alternatively, a student may choose not to pursue a specialization. In accordance with the mission of Liberty University, the graduate faculty seeks to educate the whole person, developing the values, knowledge, and skills individuals need to impact their business world. The context for all instruction is the Christian worldview” (Liberty University Graduate Catalog, 2007, p.91). Promoting the Biblical Worldview in an Online Course BUSI 604 International Business (IB) is one of the core courses in both the MSM and MBA degrees. The major purpose of the course is to prepare students to compete successfully in the global economy. Global interdependence among nations of the world is a reality. Trade barriers between nations have fallen, and trades blocs are rapidly forming as world leaders realize that there is more to be gained by collaborating with each other than by remaining economically isolated. Multinational corporations are playing a major role in this accelerating regional and global economic integration. The management of a company having international operations differs in many important ways from that of a company whose operations are confined to one nation. A major emphasis of this course is to demonstrate how management activities in a global enterprise differ from those in a purely domestic firm. Thus, it is imperative that business