Spring 2013/Pasadena
CO500
Dementyev
CO500: COMMUNICATION (Two Units). 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.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ and leading his Church in fulfilling the Great Commission requires profound understanding of the role communication plays in Christian leadership. The content and hands-on exercises in this course will help students with developing practical skills for effective speaking, teaching, and leadership according to their unique gifts and callings within their ministry contexts.
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: The class will meet weekly for two-hour sessions for ten weeks. 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:
O'Hair, Dan, Hannah Rubenstein, and Robert A. Stewart. A Pocket Guide to Public Speaking. 4th ed. Bedford/St. Martins, 2012. 368 pages. ISBN-13: 978-1457601842, Pub.price $24.75 [368 pp.].
Reynolds, Garr. Presentation Zen: Simple Ideas on Presentation Design and Delivery (2nd Edition). New Riders, 2011. ISBN: 978-0321811981, Pub.price 29.99 [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].
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, eight 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).