College: Graduate Programs Institute

This interdisciplinary specialization combines communication studies with a focus on religious services. Students explore public speaking, interpersonal communication, media studies, and religious communication. The program emphasizes effective communication strategies, cultural sensitivity, and multimedia tools to enhance religious messages and community engagement. Graduates are prepared for careers in religious leadership, pastoral care, media relations, and community communication.

Learning Objectives:

• Understand the basics of communication and apply them to religious services.
• Develop skills in public speaking, interpersonal communication, and media studies.
• Learn techniques for effective religious communication and community engagement.
• Explore cultural sensitivity and multimedia tools in religious environments.
• Understand the role of communication in enhancing religious messages and dialogue.
• Analyze challenges and opportunities in religious communication.
• Develop teamwork and problem-solving skills for communication projects.

Main Curriculum:

1. Introduction to Communication Studies - Overview of communication studies and principles of effective communication.
2. Public Speaking and Presentation Skills - Principles of public speaking and techniques for effective presentations and speeches.
3. Interpersonal Communication - Basics of interpersonal communication and techniques for relationship building in religious environments.
4. Media and Communication Studies - Principles of media studies and techniques for using media tools in religious communication.
5. Religious Communication - Principles of religious communication and techniques for delivering effective religious messages.
6. Cultural Sensitivity in Communication - Understanding cultural sensitivity and communication techniques with diverse groups.
7. Multimedia Tools in Religious Services - Basics of multimedia tools and techniques for integrating them into religious services.
8. Community Engagement and Communication - Principles of community engagement and techniques for developing effective communication programs.
9. Ethics in Communication - Understanding ethical considerations and techniques to ensure ethical communication practices.
10. Capstone Project in Communication and Religious Services - A real-world project to apply acquired skills in religious or community communication.

Assessment Methods:

Public speaking presentations, interpersonal communication analyses, media studies projects, religious communication plans, cultural sensitivity reports, multimedia tool integration, community engagement strategies, ethical consideration papers, group projects, and internships.

Recommended Textbooks:

• "Communication Studies: An Introduction" by Michael H. Prosser.
• "Public Speaking: An Audience-Centered Approach" by Steven A. Beebe and Susan J. Beebe.
• "Interpersonal Communication: Everyday Encounters" by Julia T. Wood.
• "Media Studies: Key Issues and Debates" by Paul Smith, Kate Wall, and Sally A. Marsh.
• "Religious Communication: An Introduction to Theory and Practice" by Quentin J. Schultze.

Prerequisites:

Basic knowledge of communication studies, media studies, and religious studies. Suitable for students interested in religious leadership, pastoral care, media relations, and community communication.

Program Duration:

Usually 4 years to obtain a bachelor's degree, including coursework, projects, and internships.

Certification:

Graduates may earn a degree in Communication and Engagement in Religious Services and pursue certifications in religious leadership, media relations, or community communication.

Target Audience:

Aspiring religious leaders, pastoral caregivers, media relations specialists, community communication coordinators, and professionals seeking specialization in communication within religious services. This specialization equips students with communication skills and cultural sensitivity necessary to excel in religious leadership, media relations, community communication, and enhancing religious messages and community engagement.