Winter 2011

FSW – Phoenix

CO500

Switzer

 

CO500:  COMMUNICATION. Frank Switzer.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to build and enlarge upon student’s general communication skills.  Attention will be given to speaking situations encountered in ministry: speeches to inform, persuade, self-introductions, sharing of Christian experience, and biblical messages.  Emphasis will be placed on the creation of original material for delivery, persuasion, human communication theory, and writing for the ear.  Questions about nonverbal communication and speech anxiety will also be discussed.

 

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Oral presentation is important in the

communication of the gospel as well as in other aspects of the job of a pastor/leader.  The spoken

witness has always been a primary means of communicating the faith and continues to be a

powerful tool for planting and nurturing faith in Christ. 

 

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Course objectives are that students would grow:

1. In their understanding of human communication, especially in a Christian context;
2. In their understanding of the differences between written and oral communication;
3. In their understanding of the sources of speech anxiety and how to move beyond it;
4. In their ability to prepare and deliver spoken messages clearly and relevantly to a contemporary audience;
5. In their ability to assess both their own speaking and that of others; and
6. In their exposure to basic human communication theory.

 

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for a two-hour session for ten weeks.

Lecture, discussion, and oral presentations will provide the content of the time.  Time outside of

class will be devoted to reading, speech preparation, written critiques, and a study project.

 

REQUIRED READING:

O’Hair, Dan, Rubenstein, Hannah, Stewart, Rob.  A Pocket Guide To Public Speaking. 

            Bedford/St. Martin’s (December 30, 2003).  288 pages.  ISBN:  0312400780.

Schultze, Quentin J., An Essential Guide To Public Speaking:  Serving Your Audience With

            Faith, Skill, and Virtue.  Baker Academic (to be published August 2006). 112 pages. 

            ISBN:  0801031516. 

 

ASSIGNMENTS: In addition to the required reading,

• Four (4) speeches:
• “Encounter with Jesus” or “Story of Christian Experience,” 4 – 6 minutes (10%)
• Speech to Inform, 6 – 8 minutes (16.7%)
• Speech to Persuade 7 – 10 minutes (16.7%)
• Biblical Message, 12 – 15 minutes (20%)
• Three “6 – Step Guide” speech outlines (10%)
• Two self evaluations (10%)
• Independent study project in communication (16.7%)

 

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets M.Div. core requirements in MIN 2; M.A.T.: Elective; MACL: Leadership Foundation 2.

 

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

 

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification.