I’m preparing a short course on media and communication for Trinity College in Brisbane, designed mostly for people preparing for Christian ministry in the Uniting Church in Australia. The four day course will be run from Monday 6th to Thursday 9th July.
Here’s what I’m planning.
Day 1. Introduction to Media from a missional perspective. Looking at the ways we explore meaning using a range of media, from how we speak and use our bodies, through to print technology, electronic media (from phone to internet), and the ambient (experience-based communication).
Day 2. Introduction to Communication. Exploring the concepts of information sharing, community building and dialogue. Feedback loops. Web sites, blogs and social networking.
Day 3. Local media and marketing. How do we share our stories? Who shares them? Building partnerships with the local press, radio and television media outlets.
Day 4. Multi-sensory Worship. Using everything we know about media and communication to develop experiences of community, engaging in sight, sound, touch, taste and smell. Use of visual arts, including fine art and film. Use of music.
Each day needs to have something experiential – a chance to engage in and reflect with a communication medium.
The texts for the course have included:
1. Peter Horsfield: The Impact of electronic media on the culture we live in and some major implications for churches and Christian faith.
2. Jean-Nicolas Bazin and Jerome Cottin, How the Church assesses the Internet, from Virtual Christianity: Potential and Challenge for the Churches.
I’ll also be drawing on Mary Hess, Marshall McLuhan, Tex Sample, Quentin Schulze, Michael Bausch.
Any other suggestions?
Duncan what are the hours and what is the cost please? This looks an interesting course you are proposing. Thanks Paul W
could involve some different aspects of media…the difference between secular and Christian media. I know a few people that have a great deal of experience in this area that could help…Phil Smith comes to mind and maybe some of the executive of United Christian Broadcasters Aust.
But i love the idea of a media course for trinity. Its something that is not often talked about…how do we engage and use the tool that is media! Well done Duncan
Dear Duncan,
I'm very much impressed to know about such an international program. Indeed we share the same goal or objective from Church based communities. You are warmly welcome to Myanmar and Myanmar Council of Churches. We are partner of the NCCA and you can also check our website http://www.mcc-mm.org too. Your subjects are very interesting. I'm the Communications Secretary of our organization.