Spring 2014/Pasadena

CO522

Fong

CO522: NARRATIVE-COMMUNICATION IN A VISUAL AGE (4 Units). Ken U. Fong.


DESCRIPTION: This course explores why narrative (story) moves people in ways that lecturing or preaching didactically often does not. It will equip students to create and deliver narrative lessons and sermons that aim to capture imaginations with who God is and what God is up to, utilizing beautifully-designed digital slides to enhance the narrative.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will grow in their ability to (1) identify and define the essentials components of great stories; (2) apply these elements in crafting and delivering narrative lessons and sermons; (3) design visually effective computer-slides to enhance the story; and (4) deliver impactful narrative lessons and sermons using the visuals they’ve designed.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet once a week for three-and-a-half hour sessions. Classes will involve lectures and demonstrations, small group activities and projects, technical instruction seminars, and student-presentations.

REQUIRED READING AND VIEWING:

Buechner, Frederick. Telling the Truth: The Gospel as Tragedy, Comedy, and Fairy Tale. Harper & Row, 1977. ISBN: 978-0060611569, Pub. Price $15.16 [112 pp. assigned].

Duarte, Nancy. Resonate: Present Visual Stories That Transform Audiences. Wiley, 2010. ISBN: 978-0470632017, Pub. Price $17.31 [272 pp. assigned].

_______________. The Secret Structure of Great Talk. http://www.ted.com/talks/nancy_duarte_the_secret_structure_of_great_talks.html

Graves, Mike & Schlafer, David, eds. What’s the Shape of Narrative Preaching? Chalice Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0827242555, $22.49 [244 pp. assigned].

Loder, James. The Transforming Moment. 2nd ed. Helmers & Howard Publishers, 1989. ISBN: 978-0939443178, Pub. Price $15.31 [24 pp. assigned]. (Moved from selections).

Reynolds, Garr. Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery. 2nd ed. New Riders, 2011. ISBN: 978-0321811981, Pub. Price $22.46 [312 pp. assigned].

Sachs, Jonah. Winning the Story Wars: Why Those Who Tell (and Live) the Best Stories Will Rule the Future. Harvard Business Review Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-1422143568, Pub. Price $19.85 [288 pp. assigned].

*Park, Sangyil. Korean Preaching, Han, and Narrative. Peter Lang Publishing, 2008. ISBN: 978-1433104497, Pub. Price $88.95 [179 pp]. Those wishing to do Asian American Module can write a 2-3 page comparison/reflection paper on this book, the assigned section from Loder, and Buechner. This book will be on reserve in the library and can be checked out for 2 hours at a time. (Moved from selections)

RECOMMENDED READING AND ASIAN AMERICAN MODULE*:

Buster, Bobbette. Do Story: How to Tell Your Story So the World Listens. The Do Book Company, 2013. ISBN: 978-1907974052, Pub. Price $11.28 [112 pp.].

Donovan, Jeremey. How to Deliver a TED Talk: Secrets of the World’s Most Inspiring Presentations. McGraw-Hill, 2013. ISBN: 978-0071831598, Pub. Price: $12.87 [208 pp. assigned]. (added)

Duarte, Nancy. slide:ology: The Art and Science of Creating Great Presentations. O’Reilly Media, 2008. ISBN: 978-0596522346, Pub. Price $23.87 [296 pp.].

Lowry, Eugene. Doing Time in the Pulpit: The Relationship Between Narrative and Preaching. Abingdon Press, 1985. ISBN: 978-0687110346, Pub. Price not available. ***OUT OF PRINT [112 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Reading of assigned materials and preparation of two 2-3 page comparison/reflection papers on the following texts: (a) Buechner, Graves/Schlafer {Asian American module substitutes Park for Graves/Schlafer}, & Loder; (2) Duarte & Reynolds. Via Moodle.(20%)

  2. Prepare 3-4 page report in response to the assigned questions in Sachs’ text. Via Moodle. (15%)

  3. (a) 9-min class-presentation of how they are planning the flow of their narrative project (with feedback for improvement). (b) 10-min class presentation of the drafts of their Powerpoint or Keynote slides to accompany presentation (with feedback). (c) Prepare and deliver an 18-min narrative lesson or sermon with self-designed slides. (65%)

PREREQUISITES: None

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the Communications requirement (COMM) in MA programs; the CO5 (CO500 + CO503) requirement of various degrees; and the Media and Ministry requirement for MA in Worship, Theology, and the Arts and the MDiv Concentration in Worship, Theology, and the Art.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.

For your convenience, order these texts online through the Archives Bookshop.