83 COMMUNICATIONS The Department of Communication participates in a seminar to bring awareness to and action against human trafficking. In fall 2020, the Department of Communication brought awareness to human trafficking through the Ethics and Scripture class. The communication Bible course for seniors partnered with the United States Institute against Human Trafficking to host a virtual seminar. The class was taught by Assistant Professor of Communication Lori Sloan and Assistant Professor and Director of the Mitchell Center for Leadership and Ministry Andrew Baker, who were activists against human trafficking. “The issue of human trafficking is an issue that has gained a lot of awareness in the last couple of years, but that awareness is not always translated into action,” Baker said. “I am glad we are partnering with the Institute. There’s some ways to move those people from awareness to action, which is the subtheme for the seminar. So the seminar is bringing awareness to action— whether that is working to create legislation, safe places or educating people.” The students usually began their individual capstone projects toward the beginning of the semester. However, Sloan and Baker decided to expand this topic to student circles. The project involved the students breaking into three groups: awareness, protection and demand. Each group contained eight to 10 students, and they targeted their topic on fighting against human trafficking. Baker and many of the students involved in the class believed that much could be done to help the institute. The Harding community was heavily involved in fighting against human trafficking through the seminar. “They genuinely need help,” senior Kaitlyn Francois, member of the demand group, said. “It’s still trying to figure out what’s the next step, so they are looking for any resources. This is very real and very demanding of our attention, and people need to acknowledge it. We are fighting a battle within. We are capable, and God has blessed us with gifts to do so.” The Ethics and Scripture communication class faculty hoped that, despite the virtual format, students would reach and influence their peers. Flyers were posted on campus bulletin boards, and social media accounts promoted the November seminar. “My hopes are that, because we as communication students have such a wide range of reach to students on this campus, we can draw in teachers and students to listen to what we have to say,” senior Sadie Thornton, leader of the awareness group, said. The students who presented at the seminar sought to influence their peers and build a community that could transition from awareness to action on an important issue. story by Sophia Toth Stopping TRAFFICK The communication ethics and scripture class listens to student presenters on Nov. 5, 2020 in the Jim Bill McInteer Center for Bible and World Missions. The course was taught by Lori Sloan and Andrew Baker. | photo by Madison Meyer
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