Winter 2006/Pasadena
CO500
Nason

CO500: COMMUNICATION (Two Units). Doug Nason.


DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to develop communication skills, especially in the preparation and delivery of spoken messages. Attention will be given to speaking situations frequently encountered in ministry: speeches to persuade and to inform, self-introductions, sharing of Christian experience, and biblical messages. Emphasis will be placed on the creation of original material for delivery, writing for the ear instead of for the eye. Questions about voice, gesture, nonverbal communication, and speech anxiety will be considered. The course will use videotape recording. Enrollment is limited to ten students.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Course objectives are that students would grow

  1. in their understanding of Christian communication;

  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; and

  5. in their ability to assess both their own speaking and that of others.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The spoken witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ has always been a primary means of communicating the faith. It continues to be a powerful tool for planting and nurturing faith in Christ.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for a two-hour session for ten weeks. There will be opportunity for individual conferences with the instructor outside of regular class time to evaluate the video tapes. PLEASE NOTE: Class attendance is mandatory. If the class is over-subscribed, the first two persons on the waiting list should attend the first class session in case there are openings which develop due to dropped registrations.

REQUIRED READING:
Litfin, Duane. Public Speaking: A Handbook for Christians. 2nd edition. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1992.

Additional brief readings may be assigned primarily as a basis for class discussion.

ASSIGNMENTS: Four brief oral presentations will be prepared and delivered, each approximately five to ten minutes in length. Outlines will be submitted for three of those messages and self-assessments for two of them. In addition, students will prepare an independent study project in communication. Regular class attendance, preparation for class, and participation in discussions are required. Any absences must be excused and will require some additional work.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Preaching and Communication (MIN 2).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.