Spring 2025 Course Descriptions
This seminar explores what it means to think and live faithfully in our world by engaging in an in-depth study of an important issue. Each class will engage with the richness and complexity of its subject by considering diverse viewpoints and multiple academic disciplines and exploring their interconnections. Each class will also be challenged with some of the best Christian thinking about the issue. The class will maintain an atmosphere of open inquiry and discovery, and provide occasion for each student to reflect on God’s call on his/her life. Prerequisite: senior standing, or junior standing and completion of all other general education requirements.
COMM 460 01: SENIOR CAPSTONE [an allowed substitute for GEN 460]
Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00-10:15 a.m.
Instructor: Dr. Marcia Everett
This seminar course is one method of summative evaluation of the major and of a communication student’s overall University experience. It is designed to integrate learning in a number of different areas by examining significant issues of communication in contexts of work, culture, and media. The instructor will adapt the course to serve all majors with vocation reflection exercises applicable to their course of study.
GEN 460 01: WORK AND VOCATION
Meets Tuesdays, 6:00-8:30 p.m.
Work and Vocation is designed to help prepare Malone students think and live more faithfully through readings, discussions, and spiritual formation and life design exercises. This class will reframe dysfunctional beliefs about life and careers and challenge conventional beliefs about Christianity, work and calling. The goal is to equip students to apply deeper theological truths, practical wisdom, and concrete tools so they can serve church, community, and world more wisely after college.
GEN 460 02: FRIENDSHIP AND ROMANCE
Meets Mondays and Wednesdays, 2:00-3:15 p.m.
Instructor: Dr. T.C. Ham
This course explores the topics of friendship and romance at the intersection of sociology, philosophy, theology, psychology, history, and biblical studies. For most college students, friendships and dating relationships represent two of the most important interpersonal relationships. Yet, the Church and the academy offer little in the way of helping us to think deeply about these relationships. Through the exploration of these important human relationships, the course aims to deepen our thinking with an eye toward living out our faith in the world.
GEN 460 03: HOLLYWOOD AND THE CALL OF DISCIPLESHIP
Meets Tuesdays and Thursdays, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m.
Instructor: Prof. Drew Meziere
Hollywood and the Call of Discipleship will focus on equipping students with the skill of discernment. The course will watch major motion pictures and discuss themes that are related to the life of Christian discipleship such as prayer, calling, justice, love/marriage, and grief. The idea is that through the practice of discernment, the student will be able to see the messages that Hollywood conveys to us that are both in support of and antithetical to a discipleship lifestyle as laid out in Scripture. By discussing the issues concerning discipleship, students will be equipped to leave Malone University ready to follow Jesus in their respective career and vocational paths. The practice of discernment skills related to film will help students understand and implement these skills throughout their post-Malone life.