Fall 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
- in their understanding of Christian communication;
- in their understanding of the differences between written and oral
communication;
- in their understanding of the sources of speech anxiety and how to move
beyond it;
- in their ability to prepare and deliver spoken messages clearly and
relevantly to a contemporary audience; and
- 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:
- O'Hair, Dan, Hannah Rubenstein, and Rob Stewart. A Pocket Guide
to Public Speaking. Bedford/St Martin's, 2004.
- Schultze, Quentin J. Essential Guide to Public Speaking. Baker
Academic, 2006 (available August 2006).
- 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.