ORD 445
Theory and Practice of Adult Learning

In this course adult students will explore several theories of adult learning, including the Kolb model, and then students will apply one of the models to their own experience of learning. This course will have application both to the student’s own self-discovery but also to the work that the student may perform as a leader in a workplace or ministry setting.

5 Sessions/3 Credits

BBL 408
Foundations of Christian Thought

This course explores the phenomenon of “worldview” as the assumptions that everyone has about reality—a vision for life that drives how people view the nature of the world, the problems of the world, the remedy for the world, and the future of the world. And, this course challenges students to critique their own worldview in light of the worldview presented in the Bible. At the end of the day, students will be equipped to examine their own life and work in light of the biblical worldview.

5 Sessions/3 Credits

ORD 430
Organizational Analysis—60% Online, 40% Classroom

Completing this course will prepare students to analyze the structure and function of an organization in light of contemporary organizational models. Participants apply theoretical knowledge about organizations to a specific organization and explore how organizations can be transformed into redemptive agents in this world and contribute to human flourishing. This course is conducted partly online.

2 Face-to-Face Sessions/3 Credits

ORD 464
Principles of Organizational Development

Using the literature of organizational development (OD), this course presents an overview of the historical views of the field of OD. In addition, students are introduced to the theoretical bases, terminology, and concepts used in creating an OD perspective within various organizational contexts. Through readings, class discussion, and small group activities, students learn about the types of diagnostic and data gathering tools as well as the analytic processes that will be utilized in courses to follow. A major assignment for this course is the use of an OD-type diagnostic tool to analyze an organization and the writing of a report in which the data collected is examined based on OD theory and concepts.

5 Sessions/3 Credits

ORD 441
Business and Interpersonal Communication

Emphasis is placed on the interpersonal skills that students may use to facilitate effective relationships. Attention is given to the importance of being an effective communicator in both interpersonal and organizational contexts. Students have the opportunity to practice and assess communication and presentation skills. Class sessions include discussion of assigned readings, role playing exercises, small group activities, and presentations. Course concepts are modeled in a final presentation as well as in a reflection paper.

5 Sessions/3 Credits

ORD 460
Organizational Dynamics

In this course, students are introduced to the theory and concepts related to individual and group behavior in organizations. Students examine the reasons why people act the way they do in organizations as well as identify methods that can improve the behavior and attitudes of organizational members. Topics related to individual and group problem solving are studied within the context of organizational structures and processes. Case studies and group practice allow students to apply these theories and concepts in presentation and written form. In addition, an application paper, in which students address an organizational problem, is submitted as part of the course assessment.

5 Sessions/3 Credits

ORD 432
Organizational Development: Research and Resources—60% Online, 40% Classroom

This course encourages students to develop familiarity with the literature in their major field of study with an emphasis on information literacy. Students will identify, access, retrieve, and summarize respected information in the field that is relevant to a research topic. In addition to identifying themes in the literature, students will compare, contrast and evaluate the major perspectives that emerge from their investigation. This course is conducted partly online.

2 Face-to-Face Sessions/3 Credits

ORD 461
Organizational Planning

Drawing from the conceptual and theoretical groundwork from previous courses, students explore the processes for developing and implementing plans to meet organizational goals. Approaches to diagnosing and analyzing an organization’s current position are examined that enable it to develop realistic methods for achieving future high performance. Students will utilize these approaches to develop their own organizations’ goals and plans for achieving those goals.

5 Sessions/3 Credits

BBL 409
Christianity in Dialogue

Students will explore the basics of Christian apologetics in terms of identifying the assumptions that drive life-commitments. In particular, the most common and influential perspectives will be evaluated, and the contradictions inherent in living out these worldviews will be considered. It will be the perspective of this course that a biblical worldview, with its assumptions deriving from Scripture, best explains the world and human experience.

5 Sessions/3 Credits

PLS 401
Christian Faith and Politics

Students will explore the Scriptural and philosophical underpinnings of government and survey the history of political thought with particular emphasis on the Christian tradition, including a discussion of the American Founding. In addition, the biblical principles of justice, economics and liberty will be explored in the context of a reflection on modern political ideologies. Lastly, students will investigate a number of important issues in contemporary political debate, such as war, globalization, and the environment.

5 Sessions/3 Credits

HMT 411
Humanities—60% Online, 40% Classroom

Students will explore the humanities as a manifestation of human responses to the Cultural Mandate – to “rule over the earth and subdue it”. The humanities reflect the cultural values of the culture from which they spring, therefore students will be equipped with the theological and philosophical categories needed to properly discern the truth (and untruth) of the cultural messages embedded in the humanities. On the one hand, students will be equipped to appreciate the common grace truth embedded in the humanities, but on the other hand, students will be equipped with the biblical categories of antithesis needed to discern where those truths fall short. At the end of the day, students will be equipped to engage both aesthetic considerations and “truth considerations” in the humanities. This course is conducted partly online.

2 Face-to-Face Sessions/3 Credits

SGY 410
Restoring Social Institutions: A Christian View of Marriage, Family, Church, and Neighborhood

The social world is full of institutions, and it is held together by institutions. These institutions change over time, sometimes for better and sometimes for worse. In this course we will explore the contours of four social institutions—marriage, the family, the church, and neighborhoods. How are these institutions changing? Why are they changing? And what is our own role in these institutions? Biblical norms for these social institutions will be considered, and we will work together to develop a Christian perspective to apply to other social institutions as well.

5 Sessions/3 Credits

ORD 463
Organizational Performance

This course addresses how the organization sets values, directions, and performance expectations, and how the organization’s information management system is used to support, measure, analyze and improve performance. Also included is how the organization addresses its current and future impacts on society and strengthens key constituent communities.

5 Sessions/3 Credits

ORD 443
Training and Development

Students in this course study the theories, concepts, and processes from previous courses that are used to develop, implement, and sustain training programs in organizations. As part of the course, students examine the principles for establishing effective training and development methods including design, delivery, and assessment. The major project for this course is the creation of a training and development plan that is applied to their organization.

5 Sessions/3 Credits

ORD 470
Senior Seminar – 60% Online, 40% Classroom
In this course, students will reflect on the learning that they have experienced during the entire program. They will develop a portfolio of accomplishments in the program, as well as key professional documents that are typical of a person looking to advance in their chosen profession. This course is conducted partly online.

2 Face-to-Face Sessions/3 Credits

ORD 462
Organizational Development Consulting

Drawing on material mastered so far in their program, this course enables students to work with the conceptual and practical skills for helping organizations improve, approached from two perspectives: that of the consultant and that of the organization. The course content is structured in two parts: consulting and using consultants; students prepare and engage in case studies to measure and to improve organizations’ performance.

5 Sessions/3 Credits