Fall 2008/Pasadena
CO500
Gordon

CO500: COMMUNICATION (Two Units). Carolyn L. Gordon.


DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to provide students with a biblical foundation, a theoretical framework, and some practical applications for discovering and developing their individual gifts as communicators. Specifically, this course is based on the study of communication theology and theory, as applied to a variety of social interactions and public speaking situations for ministry.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Course objectives are that students would grow

  1. in their ability to identify and define a God-centered approach to public speaking.

  2. in an understanding of the biblical basis for the communication process.

  3. in their ability to identify various public address styles necessary for effective communication leadership.

  4. in their ability to deliver thoroughly researched and creatively organized speeches.

  5. in their ability to explain articulately the historical, psychological, theoretical, and social aspects of oral communication and public address.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Communication effectiveness is essential for the furtherance of the gospel of Christ. The workload in this course is foundational and is designed to empower students with the communication skills necessary for effective speaking, teaching, and ministering within the context of their unique gifts, callings, and ministry settings.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for two-hour sessions for ten weeks. There will be opportunities for individual conferences with the instructor outside of regular class time to assess students' development. Although natural ability is an asset, in this course, every student's capabilities are expected to be markedly improved through (1) an understanding of the communication process, (2) training in its basic principles, and (3) practice in the intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, and speaker-audience situations. Students' presentations will be videotaped. 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 due to dropped registrations.

REQUIRED READING:
Schultze, Quentin J. An Essential Guide to Public Speaking: Serving Your Audience with Faith, Skill, and Virtue. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2006.

O'Hair, Dan, Hannah Rubenstein, and Rob Stewart. Pocket Guide to Public Speaking. 2nd ed. Bedford/St. Martin's, 2007.

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

ASSIGNMENTS: Each student will write a self-assessment paper on his/her individual communication style (10%). Each student will give at least 4 speeches, five to ten minutes in length (60%), and participate in impromptu speaking development (5%). Students will be given one exam on lectures and assigned reading materials (15%). Students will complete all reading assignments and other exercises as assigned by the instructor, and will participate in class discussions (10%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

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

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (7/08)