SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION FOUNDATIONS
SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION FOUNDATIONS
God is writing the story of humanity, and you have a part to play.
The School of Communication Foundations (SCF) recognizes that good communication is a lifelong learning process that we get to practice every day. By improving our communication we can build better relationships with God and others. The SCF develops both practical communication skills and a stronger foundation in your God-given identity. This is a school for everybody, doing anything no matter which sphere you work and minister in.
*DTS is a prerequisite for this course.
The SCF lays essential foundations in biblical communication while advancing your skills and confidence in speaking, writing, and listening. It aims to sharpen your ability to communicate clearly through cross-cultural and interpersonal dynamics. We will equip you with the principles of preparing and delivering a message to a variety of audiences.
One focus throughout the school is writing a research project on a sub-culture or people group that God has placed on your heart. Through provoking instruction and discussion, practical assignments, and video evaluation, you can discover your place and potential as effective influencers in the public forum.
The SCF meets the University of the Nations requirements for the communication core curriculum needed for a Bachelors degree in any UofN College, or an Associates degree in the College of Communication or College of Counselling and Health Care.
UPCOMING SCHOOLS:
SCF: 19 June – 8 Sept 2023
TOPICS INCLUDE:
- Communication Foundations
- Verbal and non-Verbal Communication
- Public Speaking
- Story writing and telling
- Interpersonal Communication
- Conflict Resolution
- Cross-Cultural Communication
- Media and Visual Communication
- Researching and Research Writing
- Intrapersonal Communication
- Giving Feedback
COURSE FEES:
$4,750 NZD
This includes:
- Housing
- Food
- Educational costs
*The fees does not include: visas or personal expenses such as toiletries, snacks and postage, airfare and bus/shuttle needed to get you from Auckland to Tauranga. We DO provide pick-ups from the Tauranga Airport and bus stop.
Yes – it is preferable you bring a laptop. A tablet/ipad could work with an attached keyboard. A number of the assignments require typing, and the research paper in particular needs a good word processing programme (eg Microsoft Word, Mac Pages, or online google docs). Sorry, we do not have any spare computers to use.
The SCF is a second-level school in the University of the Nations – so yes – there are a number of assignments. All of these assignments are carefully designed to help you process the teaching or develop certain skills.
We will walk alongside you and help where we can – but it will take discipline, time and effort. Our goals are not focused on the grades you will get (although your work is graded) but on your growth and learning processes. Don’t let fear and intimidation of assignments or projects hold you back from the holistic learning journey.
- There are multiple public speaking assignments, including introducing and thanking the guest speakers.
- A research project of an unreached people group or subculture. This includes writing a research paper and doing a presentation.
- Leading the class in intercession or some new learning.
- Book reports
- Weekly Journaling
- Creative story writing and presentation
The lectures and assignments are all going to be in English – so there does need to be a level of comprehension, speaking and writing that is at least on a conversational English level.
But we are very used to working with 2nd-language students, as well as first-language-English speakers who may also struggle with reading and writing. We want to help people grow from where they start – and understand that will be from different academic levels.
At this time we are not running an outreach after the lecture phase.
Yes, off-campus housing is an option if you live in Tauranga already, you can stay at home and commute to the campus. That said, we’d encourage you to be ‘all in’ and come live on base – because juggling home life with the requirements of the course can be stressful. But it’s up to you. If you choose to remain at home, the course fees will be less. Please contact us for more details.
Yes – The SCF meets the University of the Nations requirements for the communication core curriculum credits needed for a Bachelors degree in any UofN College, or an Associates degree in the College of Communication or College of Counselling and Health Care.
You will receive 12 credits at the end of the 12 weeks.
Potentially. You can ask us about any open weeks directly.
TESTIMONIES:
“I signed up for this school thinking that it would just be surface-level communication tools, but the SCF brought me closer to God in a way that I never expected. He took me on an identity journey that in the end left me with a lot less fear of man and a lot more confidence in who God created me to be, and it was heaps of fun along the way. I rediscovered passion and purpose in a lot of ways, and the Lord showed me that those things come as a result of always saying “yes” to the next thing He puts in front of you!” Abriana – USA
“On SCF I discovered I’m creative in areas I had avoided for ages. Every week we embarked on a new fun adventure which culminated in a thrilling presentation. I feel much more confident now when communicating with others, both on stage and in daily life.” Christian – Germany
“This school has been one of the greatest challenges that I’ve internally had to face in my life with self-development. Time after time we are tested to stretch and grow ourselves in what we would think as “less effective” skills as most of us would tend to shy away from these things such as public speaking and developing creativity. As we excelled and pressed through the difficulties we thrived in new found personal attributes. But the assignments were only half the story. The other half was the abundance of practical biblical principles taught through amazing speakers each week which equip you with so many missional fundamentals skills to take with you into whatever field you go into, being missions or a “normal job” these will change and shape you to be able to work with God and others on another level.” Jono – NZ
