Fall 2010/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.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND 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.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Course objectives are that students would grow
- in their ability to identify and define a God-centered approach to public
speaking.
- in an understanding of the biblical basis for the communication process.
- in their ability to identify various public address styles necessary for
effective communication leadership.
- in their ability to deliver thoroughly researched and creatively organized
speeches.
- in their ability to explain articulately the historical, psychological,
theoretical, and social aspects of oral communication and public
address.
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. 111 pages. ISBN-13: 9780801031519. Pub price: 14.99.
- O'Hair, Dan, Hannah Rubenstein, Rob Stewart. A Speaker's Guidebook: Text
and Reference with the Essential Guide to Rhetoric 4th ed. Bedford/St.
Martin's, 2008. 592 pages. ISBN-13: 9780312596330. Pub price: 67.95.
- Additional brief readings may be assigned primarily as a basis for class
discussion.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: Each student will write a self-assessment paper on
his/her individual communication style (10%). Each student will give at least 4
oral presentations, 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).
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (July 2010)