Online Communication, Writing & Spanish Courses

Course Description

Integrative communication explores and develops public, interpersonal, organizational, and small group communication skills.  Students will learn how to analyze and adapt to the needs of diverse audiences and contexts using verbal and nonverbal communication principles.

By the time you finish this course, you will:

• List, describe, and explain the five big ideas of communication and identify how they impact interpersonal, small group/team, work, culture, and presentational speaking contexts.
• Critically read, evaluate, and incorporate credible resources, properly citing them in oral and written format.
• Develop, organize and deliver an informative presentation appropriate for audience, context, and medium.
• Analyze and incorporate informative and persuasive characteristics in messages considering the impact of language, culture, visual and other nonverbal communication, medium, and context.
• Explain how communication principles relate to matters of faith and calling/career.

• Communication Pathways, 2nd Edition

This course consists of 13 reading quizzes, 12 lab assignments/reports, a midterm exam, final exam and pre/post assessment.

Total points for the course is 1000 - Reading quizzes and Lab assignments are each worth 5 points, the exams are each worth 50 points and the assessment worth 20 points.

Amy Bessin

• MS, University of Kentucky (2013)
• MA, Western Kentucky University (2009)
• BA, Taylor University (2007)

Course Description

The study of the complex process of intercultural communication. The course seeks to create an awareness of culture-bound assumptions and ways to communicate more effectively with persons from other cultures.

The student who successfully completes the course should be able to:

• Articulate the connection between communication and culture
• Explain the role of culture in shaping identity, perception, and judgment
• Articulate one’s own cultural standpoint and how it affects communication and worldview
• Consider how cultural dynamics shape a Christian’s understanding of scripture and engagement with others
• Identify challenges that arise from cultural differences and develop tools to adapt one’s communication in diverse cultural contexts

• Communicating Across Cultures
• Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes: Removing Cultural Barrier to Better Understand the Bible

This course consists of 10 comprehensive assignments (10 @20 points each = 200 pts total), a personal cultural identity assignment (100 points), an intercultural development project and presentation (250 points), a book review (200 points), a midterm exam (100 points) and a final exam (150 points). 

Julie Borkin

• PhD, Speech Communication, Wayne State University
• BA, Communication, Oakland University

Course Description

This course explores the development of speaking strategies and skills, including audience analysis,
nonverbal and visual communication, research, organization, the use of evidence to support a point
of view, delivery, and listening. Required for all communication majors and minors.

Upon completion of this class, the student will:

• Create, organize and support messages appropriate for audience, purpose, and context
• Critically listen to and evaluate messages and meanings
• Apply ethical communication principles and practices
• Utilize communication to embrace difference
• Understand the fundamental elements and applications of speaking strategies
• Critically analyze and incorporate credible resources, properly citing them in oral and written
  format

• The Art of Public Speaking, 13th Edition

This course consists of 10 assignments including 4 speeches and no exams.

Adam Sonstroem

• PhD, Fuller Seminary (in Progress – began Fall 2022)
• MA, Pace University (American History, 2019)
• MA, Spring Arbor University (Communication, 2017)
• MA, Wheaton College (Teaching, 2005)

          

 

Course Description

Taylor’s Foundational Core invites a community of learners to consider how a right relationship with God, others, self, and the world equips us to minister Christ’s redemptive love, grace, and truth to a world in need. This course will encompass the study and practice of writing that is developed to “expose” or put forth to others. We will discuss this in connection to your role and calling as a student and across your various areas of study. We will also explore the connection of reading and writing and the understanding that both vary in context of differing discourse communities. Therefore, this course highlights several Foundational Core Objectives: Civic Mindedness, Communication Fluency, Critical and Informational Literacy, and Responsible Stewardship. 

• To recognize that the writing process is an inventive means of discovering and refining one’s own views 
• To perceive the research process as a dialogue with and an investigation of other’s views 
• To discover the stages of the writing process which are necessary for the development of college writing assignments; these stages should demonstrate analysis and critical thinking 
• To discern and evaluate the appropriate level of first and secondary materials needed to support sound reasoning 
• To recognize the impact of the strategies developed in Expository Writing across the curriculum of the university 

• They Say/I Say: The Moves That Matter in Academic Writing

Mike Mendenhall

• MA, Ball State University (2020)
• MS, Indiana Wesleyan University (1997)
• BA, Loma Linda University (1978)

Course Description

A survey of American literary tradition from its origin to the present, evaluating and comparing themes, ideas and styles.

Course Objectives
● Investigate the impact of rhetorical situation on the texts authors create.
● Differentiate between various forms of literary theory and criticism as well as literary
tools and utilize these to interpret, analyze, and critique texts.
● Discuss and reflect on how and why we read today and how to strengthen reading skills
to better engage as a college student and as a Christian.
● Reflect on the human experience and the way in which literature can help us better know
and thus love our neighbor.

Additional Goals
● To appreciate classic American literature.
● To assess the universal themes that appear in American writings.
● To identify and understand the historical context of the writings.
● To identify and understand biographical influences on writings.
● To develop skills of reading deeply and analyzing.
● To respond critically to writings.
● To incorporate reading and experience into writing.

• The Norton Anthology of American Literature Vol 1: Beginnings to 1865 & Vol 2: 1865 to the Present, shorter 10th edition

This course is divided into 6 modules covering different time periods in American literary history, and utilizing differing modes of criticism. Each module consists of several writing assignments and poetry readings.

Lisa Belcher

• MA, English, Ball State University (1997)
• BS, English, Taylor University (1992)
• BA, French, Taylor University (1992)

Course Description

The skills of listening, speaking, reading, and writing are taught in the context of daily happenings in the Spanish-speaking world. The essentials of grammar are studied, and aspects of Hispanic culture are examined. Lab activities are provided.

This course is designed for students with zero/basic knowledge and experience in Spanish. Although it can be intimidating to venture into a new language, students must always attempt to speak in Spanish and memorize.

This course has several important goals:

• To comprehend spoken Spanish in life-like situations
• To develop and practice grammatical structures and vocabulary
• To develop reading comprehension in Spanish
• To learn and to practice basic writing skills in Spanish
• To learn about culture, geography, and daily life in the Spanish-speaking world

• Vistas: Introducción a la Lengua Española. José A. Blanco and Philip R. Donley. Vista Higher Learning. Seventh edition, 2024

Your final grade will be calculated on the point system, with the following allocations:

Item Points
Course setup (10)
Bio paper (10)
Instructional/practice videos (10 @ 10 points = 100)
Quizzes (10 @ 10 points = 100)
Chapter tests (5 @ 60points = 300)
Speaking activities (5 @ 20 points = 100)
Vistas practice exercises (10 @ 20 points = 200)
Culture-focus papers (10 @ 10 points = 100)
“End of the Spear” reflection paper (80)
TOTAL 1000

Inge Baird

• MA, Ball State University (1997)
• BA, Anderson University (1985)