• DATES: 20/03/2023 – 24/04/2023

  • MODE OF DELIVERY: ONLINE

  • COURSE CATEGORY: ISKCON

  • LECTURES: 45 (83 VIDEOS)

  • PRICE: 79 EUR

Learn principles of effective communication, understand the people with whom you are communicating better, learn how to listen properly and stir the conversation, become an expert presenter and learn how to relate to media effectively through the series of lectures, interactive exercises and guidance from our expert teacher, Anuttama das (ACBSP).

0
0
0
0
Days
0
0
Hrs
0
0
Min
0
0
Sec

Course Summary

To function effectively in the world, and especially as members of ISKCON, we need to learn to communicate well. We have a sacred mission to fulfill, one that needs us to be able to interact with all kinds of people in a way that helps them — and the world — awaken our spiritual understanding, our relationship with God, Lord Krishna, and to live happier, peaceful lives.

Weekly Schedule

This course is made of six weeks of teaching and two additional weeks to prepare for and take the final exam.

Topics for this week include:
– What Is ISKCON?
– Definition of communications and favourable environment
– Srila Prabhupada, the greatest communicator
– Principles of effective communications
– Understanding ISKCON audiences
– Needs, interests, and concerns
– Sutras of communications
Topics for this week include:
– Introduction to listening
– Bad listening skit
– Listening pitfalls
– SOLE and reflective listening
– Open and close-ended questions
– Demonstration – reflective listening
– Government – 10 key points
Topics for this week include:
– Introduction to interfaith relations
– An enlightened view of interfaith
– ISKCON’s interfaith statement
– Interfaith: opportunities and benefits
– Devotee relations and sastra references
– Ways to serve and appreciation
– Tips to build love and trust
Topics for this week include:
– Review of principles
– Become an expert at public speaking
– Four questions public speaking in preparation
– Components of good speech
– Presentation skills
– Feedback sandwich
– Introduction to scholars
– NICs of scholars and Srila Prabhupada’s stress on them
– Tips on building relationships with scholars
– Video from the Harvard conference
Topics for this week include:
– Introduction to media
– Media basics
– Media release and writing exercise
– Tips for effective interviews
– Keys to success in media interviews
– TV or video Interviews
– Confrontational interviews
– Preparing an interview

Assessment

All assessment is done online, at a time convenient for the student.

  • Weekly question(s) – are answered in the course forum where the interaction with the teacher is happening throughout the course.
  • Weekly quizzes – are based on multiple-choice questions.
  • Four team exercises – allow you to connect with your peers online, practice acquired skills, and do the tasks together.
  • Record yourself – practice publice speaking and get a personal feedback on your presentation skills.
  • Press release – based on different press release samples and guidance on how to make an effective one yourself, exercise writing a press release.
Anuttama dasa
Anuttama dasa
Anuttama dasa (ACBSP) has served as ISKCON’s Director of Communications since the early 1990s, when he took over that role from his predecessor, His Holiness Mukunda Goswami who has been both an inspiration and a mentor for him. As International Director, or Minister of Communications, he has traveled much, while being based in Washington, D.C. in America. He has served on the Governing Body Commission or GBC of ISKCON and as GBC Chairperson. He joined ISKCON in 1975 in Denver, Colorado where he served as sankirtan leader and Temple President, before he moved to Washington in 1993, where he lives today with his wife Rukmini dasi.

How To Study Online

The course has a scheduled starting and ending date and it lasts 5 weeks in total. In case you are not able to finish your coursework during the course itself, there are two additional weeks after the course is finished to catch up.

Each week, on Monday, students get access to different sets of materials and then have that week to go through the materials and do the assignments. All the lectures are pre-recorded and put on our learning platform along with other learning materials. There are no live lectures so students don’t need to be present online at a specific time but can watch the videos and study at their convenience. Students do need to set the time aside to dedicate to the course but it can be at the time that suits them.

Twice during the course, Anuttama prabhu offers a live Q&A session (not compulsory) with two slots during the day so you can choose the one that suits you better.

A convenient feature of the lectures is that they are cut into small units dealing with one specific topic. So, whenever there is some free time, a student can use it to go through the topic, then continue with other activities and think about what has been said. This system is very practical for those who have busy lifestyles but it is also proving to be helpful for just anyone, helping to better focus on the most important points from the lectures.

Registration

ISKCON Communications Course can be attended without any prerequisites.

The number of participants is limited, so register now!

  • Price: €79

By clicking the enrollment button, you will be required to create a profile on BCOC – Bhaktivedanta College Online Campus (if you don’t have one already) and then proceed with the payment.

UPCOMING COURSES

Sign Up For Bhaktivedanta College Newsletter. Be with us & join now.