Course Overview

Introduction to Communications (3 credits)

Instructor: Steve Elzinga (B.A.; M.Div.)

Overview: This class shares insights on effective communication that will aid you in your communication skills as a Christian Leader.

Introduction: Communication is a necessary part of relationships and leadership. A fundamental way that God communicates with us is His Word, the Bible. Communication was vital to what Jesus did during the three years of His earthly ministry. If you are a leader, a pastor, a Christian business leader, then you need the principles of communication discussed in this course.

Course Outcomes:

1. Identify major insights of communication that can be applied to leadership in ministry settings.
2. Apply principles of team building, motivation, delegation, communication, and integrity.
3. Discern how to be a godly change agent through the use of healthy communication.
4. Understand and practice tactful and compelling communication.

Resources: This class includes resources from many books and articles. All required materials are posted here.

Assignments: View all online lectures and read all articles on each topic. CLI computer tracks whether you do this. After viewing all the lectures for the unit, take the quiz based on the lectures (100% of grade).

Grading Scale:

A 95-100%   A- 90-94%   B+ 87-89%   B 83-86%   B- 80-82%   C+ 77-79%   C 73-76%   C- 70-72%    D+ 67-69%   D 63-66%   D- 60-62%   F 0-59%

Your average grade for all assignments in the class must be at least 60%. Otherwise, you will fail the class and will receive no course credit.

Accessibility: The videos in this course have slides available and versions with subtitles.

Deadline: You have 180 days to finish the course. Complete all assignments/quizzes before the final deadline, or you will be automatically withdrawn from the course and all coursework will be removed. You will have to start over and retake the class to receive credit.

Conclusion: Watch the presentations. Read the attached readings. Take the quizzes. But most importantly, start putting the principles that you learn into practice in your relationships.