Development of core academic skills in research and research writing: critical evaluation of logical and rhetorical persuasion, answering research questions and testing hypotheses by consulting scholarly sources, and formal documentation of research sources—attributions, in-text citations, and a source list—according to a recognized academic format (APA or MLA).

4 credits

Introduction to the language of accounting to aid in understanding what the numbers mean and to provide a general overview of how to use accounting numbers for financial decision making. While not needing the knowledge of a CPA, all managers must have a basic understanding of how money is tracked and accounted for in an organization.

3 credits

Study of communication patterns that help or hinder relationships within the family system. Functioning in simulated family groups, learners research and develop personal roles. Consideration of various approaches to conflict, power, stress, intimacy, and family health in light of Christian attitudes and life patterns.

3 credits

Examination of advertising and public relations communication strategies and ethical selling techniques. Consideration of target audience, advertising communication objectives, and unique selling propositions. Development and analysis of ad and promotional layouts, copy, PR writing, news releases, budgets, and media coordination.

3 credits

Examination of the fundamentals of the communication process with an interactive emphasis on interpersonal, groups/teams, and public speaking; integrating these three specific components and concentrating on how meaning is created, communicated, and transformed within the social/social diversity and human contexts.

3 credits

Surveys the emergence of European cultures from Mesopotamian and Mediterranean origins and the United States from Britain. Artistic images and excerpts from historical, literary, devotional, and philosophical texts explore influence and conflict between Judeo-Christian faith and cultural, political, and economic structures, with an emphasis on reconciliation and peace-making.

4 credits

Trans-global analysis of theatre, film, and television communication. A portion of this course is online.

3 credits

Focus is on the practical and theoretical concepts of computer-mediated communications and the styles used in personal, social, and professional environments. Learners will evaluate computer-mediated communication theory, practices, and processes as applied to new electronic media in relation to interpersonal relationships, developing group communication, and supporting public communication both locally and globally. A portion of this course is online.

3 credits

Examination of the influence of cultural values on human verbal and nonverbal interactions. Analysis of theories of cross-cultural communication and principles of effective cross-cultural process. A portion of this course is online.

3 credits

ENGL214A • Film as Modern Myth 3 credits Consideration of how filmmakers have appropriated mythic structures and archetypes to create meaningful narratives of human experience.

3 credits

This course is designed to prepare learners for college-level math courses. Developmental math topics include percents, decimals, fractions, solving basic algebraic equations, exponents, calculating values using a formula, and measurement. This course will also cover using spreadsheets to perform basic arithmetic calculations. Prerequisite: appropriate diagnostic assessment score.

3 credits

Prerequisite course for submitting a Documented Prior Learning (DPL) portfolio for assessment. Focus is on exploring how adults learn by using written reflection on life experiences to explore theoretical concepts in adult learning.

1 credits

Basic descriptive, correlational, and inferential statistics will be covered. As time permits, more advanced topics of ANOVA, multiple regression, ANCOVA, meta-analysis, and factor analysis will be introduced. Learners will perform analyses using a computerized statistical package, and primary emphasis will be placed on understanding the concepts and interpreting results correctly.

3 credits

Overview of the scope of leadership necessary for effective outcomes. Course design is real-world specific to generate immediate understanding, awareness, and application for both marketplace and personal application. Learners will identify, interpret, and analyze their individual leadership attitudes, abilities, styles, and strengths.

3 credits

Intermediate-level study of mathematical procedures: algebra, equation solving, statistical reasoning, mathematics of finance, coordinates and graphs, and inequalities. These procedures will be applied as analytical, decision-making, and problem-solving models to real-life problems.

3 credits

Examination of the legal framework that shapes print and electronic media in both commerce and religious institutions. Portrait of legal topics that impact profit and nonprofit professionals alike (includes copyright, defamation, First Amendment rights, obscenity, and trademarks). Introduction to basic legal research of landmark court decisions. A portion of this course is online.

3 credits

Survey of technological, economic, political, cultural, and religious trends as well as forces shaping our global and personal futures. Exploration of alternative Christian worldviews and modes of thinking and learning that might be useful in responding to these challenges.

3 credits

Explores fundamental personal financial management topics. Enables learners to make values-based financial decisions. Uses a variety of tools to evaluate risk and make choices regarding debt management, savings, budgeting, investing, and long-range personal financial planning.

3 credits

Development of an understanding of personal mission and a study of the application of that mission to leadership. Emphasis is on identifying personal talents and gifts, and developing leadership goals for future roles.

3 credits

Focus is on helping learners live healthier, more active lives by understanding and practicing healthy exercise, nutritional habits, and stress management. Examination of the use/non-use of tobacco, alcohol, and other drugs in healthy Christian living, as well as strategies to practice regular physical activity and healthy eating.

3 credits

Focus is on disseminating communication messages influenced by popular culture. Opportunity to prepare and deliver speeches that enable learners to be change agents in their communities, supportive members in churches, and exemplary workers in the global marketplace. A portion of this course is online.

3 credits

Examination of concepts and techniques for creating digital content, and experiencing personal applications for electronic media using a variety of multimedia hardware and software. A portion of this course is online.

3 credits

Cultivation of critical reading and writing skills through an examination of artistic “texts” from a variety of genres: literature, drama, cinema, music, or the visual arts. Learners will develop their discernment of rich dimensions of the texts—technique, genre, social-historical context—and reflect on their spiritual significance.

3 credits

Examination of religion’s relationship with Hollywood. Focus is on analysis of the communication of established religions (e.g., Judeo-Christian); expressions of religious duty; and religious ideals of good and evil, heaven and hell, and of immortality, as expressed by the guild of artists and their media critics who navigate these challenges in a postmodern society. Communication may include such films as The Passion of the Christ, The Apostle, Dead Man Walking, City of Angels, Saved, and additional appropriate global films. A portion of this course is online.

3 credits

Exploration of a Christian model of spirituality. Hermeneutical and exegetical skills will guide learners as they examine this concept in biblical and extra-biblical contexts. Though asked to explore spirituality from a Christian perspective, learners will be free to decide how they wish to define it.

3 credits

Application of core concepts and methodologies from a scientific discipline to explore an aspect of the learner’s world by formulating a hypothesis, gathering and interpreting data to test the hypothesis, and reflecting critically on the scientific method and its role in contemporary society.

3 credits

Critical exploration of and reflection on the historical origins of a technology within scientific disciplines, and its application to and impact on our social, economic, and environmental world.

3 credits

Application of the theories and quantitative research methods of a social science to understand and test hypotheses about dynamics that shape the social contexts of family, community, and workplace in which learners live their lives.

3 credits

Exploration of and reflection on diversity and/or gender within American culture in a specific social context such as the arts, workplace, religion, education, residential life, government (criminal justice, social services, military), or the like.

3 credits

Introduction to core strategies and resources for effective studying, writing, and researching; principles of a Christian liberal arts education at Bethel; relationships between college, family, and career; and Blackboard or Moodle.

3 credits

Development of skills necessary for expressing oneself competently through writing. Emphasis is on the writing process, critical thinking, sensitivity to audience, core documentation skills and responsibilities, and revision (with peer and instructor feedback).

3 credits

Exploration of connections between key portions of the Bible and challenges faced by learners in their own lives. Learners will trace the journey of God’s people from Abraham and Sarah through the New Testament church, tracing God’s self-disclosure through biblical cultures and their genres of writing.

3 credits

Analysis of political processes as public discourse and mass media. Examination of recent American and global political campaigns. A portion of this course is online.

3 credits

Study of the basic elements of a Christian philosophy of life including comparison with other life philosophies and application to life in contemporary organizations and professions.

3 credits

Writing responsibilities in the workplace require skills that differ from those appropriate for writing in the academic community. Learners will explore the communication dynamics of the workplace and develop strategies and methods for writing memos, emails, letters, and resumes.

3 credits