Winter 2015/Pasadena

CO500

Dementyev

CO500: COMMUNICATION (2 Units: 88 hours). Vadim Dementyev.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to introduce students to fundamentals of rhetoric, and it will equip students with practical skills in the art of communication as it pertains to Christian ministry. While the main focus will be given to various forms of spoken address, some aspects of communication theory will be discussed as well.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete the course will have demonstrated that they (1) have a biblical foundation for understanding and implementation of public address; (2) have identified personal strengths and weaknesses in their own communication style; (3) can distinguish, design, and use various styles of presentation; (4) are able to analyze and adapt to the unique context of their audience; (5) have the ability to prepare and deliver oral presentations in various styles integrating theology, creativity, technology, and art of communication; (6) understand how to increase efficacy of their presentation through analysis, practice, and peer feedback.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets once per week for two-hour sessions for a total of 20 hours of classroom instruction for lecture. Lectures will be brief, with most of class time spent in the practice of communication, whether in small groups or in speaker-audience settings. Class attendance is mandatory, and missing more than two class sessions will likely result in failure of the course.

REQUIRED READING: 634 pp. required.

Frankfurt, Harry G. On Bullshit. Princeton University Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0691122946, Pub. Price $9.95 [67 pp.].

O'Hair, Dan, Hannah Rubenstein, and Robert A. Stewart. A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking. 4th ed. Bedford/St. Martins, 2012. ISBN: 978-1457601842, Pub. Price $42.25 [368 pp.].

Reynolds, Garr. Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery (2nd Edition). New Riders, 2011. ISBN: 978-0321811981, Pub. Price $34.99 [312 pp. assigned].

Schultze, Quentin J. An Essential Guide to Public Speaking: Serving Your Audience with Faith, Skill, and Virtue.Baker Academic, 2006. ISBN: 978-0801031519, Pub. Price $14.99 [107 pp. assigned].

ASSIGNMENTS & ASSESSMENT: 

  1. 634 pp. of required reading [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 3, 4, 5]. [32 hours].

  2. Each student will write a self-assessment paper (approximately four pages, double spaced) on his/her individual communication style (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome 2, 6]. [5 hours].

  3. Each student will give four oral presentations, eight to ten minutes in length, followed by four summaries of self-evaluation of their own performances reflecting the feedback received from peers and the instructor. (60%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]. [20 hours].

  4. And participate in impromptu speaking development (5%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome 4]. [0 hours-no preparation time].

  5. Students will be given one take-home exam on lectures and assigned reading materials (15%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome 1, 3]. [5 hours].

  6. Students will complete all reading assignments and other exercises as assigned by the instructor, and will participate in class discussions (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome 6]. [6 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the P2 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Meets the MIN 2 requirement in the 144 MDiv Program.

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.