Fall 2020/Houston

Synchronous

PR500

Williams

PR500: HOMILETICS (4 Units: 160 hours). Jaclyn P. Williams.

DESCRIPTION: This course PR500 introduces students to the theology and practice of preaching as an integrating focus that draws from and informs the whole Master of Divinity curriculum. Preaching is taught and learned within an extended conversation between students and the professor which is shaped by the calling of the church to proclaim the Word of God in service of God’s mission. Preaching is addressed as an act of congregational worship, and as a means by which the diverse gifts and ministries of God’s people bear witness to God’s reign in and for the world.

COURSE LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students willhave demonstrated (1) competence in biblical interpretation through faithful use of the whole canon of Scripture in proclaiming the gospel;(2) capacities for engaging listeners through preaching as a formative activity within the context of worship;(3) an understanding of how the theology of the Church and its historical developments, including the practice of preaching, inform the proclamation of the gospel in the present; and (4) competence in preaching as a theologically reflective practice that serves the Church’s calling to proclaim the gospel in the whole of life.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will address the content and interpretation of the OT/NT in its historical and contemporary context, which is consistent with MDiv PLO 1: “Students will have demonstrated competence in the practice of biblical interpretation for faithful use of Scripture in their own lives and ministries” and MDiv PLO 3: “Students will have demonstrated capacities for being theologically reflective practitioners for Christian ministries.”

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted in-person and online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’sacademic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours. Students are required to attend the scheduled in-person and videoconference class times each week (see schedule and note for specifications). Students are also required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: 800 pp. of required reading.

Paul Scott Wilson, The Practice of Preaching, revised ed. Nashville: Abingdon, 2010. ISBN: 978-0687645275, Pub. Price $ 29.99 [320 pp.]

Gilbert, Kenyatta. The Journey and Promise of African American Preaching. Fortress Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0800696276, Pub. Price $20.00 [160 pp.]

Tisdale, Lenora Tubbs. Preaching as Local Theology and Folk Art. Fortress, 1996. ISBN: 978-0800627737, Pub. Price $24.00 [176 pp.].

Select Reading: Students will choose one of the three texts below, which explore preaching from                             the perspective of a variety of cultures.

Gonzalez, J. L., and Pablo A. Jimenez. Pulpito: An Introduction to Hispanic Preaching. Abingdon, 2005. ISBN: 978-0687088508, Pub. Price $22.99 [152 pp.]. .

Kim, Eunjoo Mary. Preaching the Presence of God: A Homiletic from an Asian American Perspective. Judson Press, 1999. ISBN: 978-0817013035, Pub. Price $14.99 [160 pp.].

LaRue, Cleophas J. I Believe I’ll Testify: The Art of African American Preaching. Westminster John Knox, 2011. ISBN: 978-0664236779, Pub. Price $22.00 [144 pp. assigned].

RECOMMENDED READING: A list of recommended reading will be available in the syllabus.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Attendance at class sessions via videoconference. [10 hours].
  2. 200-word weekly forum posts (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #] [7 hours].
  3. 100-word weekly forum responses (5%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #] [3 hours].
  1. Approximately 800 pages of required reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3, 4]. [40 hours].
  2. Attend and participate in class, including the practicum component (7%) [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [20 hours].
  3. Preaching Autobiography. Write a 900 word “preaching autobiography” that describes: 1) the student’s experience and perceptions of preaching - as a preacher, listener, and participant in communities of faith; 2) the student’s hopes and goals for the class; 3) the student’s sense of calling to the ministry of the Word in service of God’s mission (3%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #4] [5 hours].
  4. Prepare and preach sermons #1 and 2 with exegetical notes and self-assessment. Students are required to complete the following: (a) Submit notes on biblical interpretation that support the sermon, including an assessment of the preaching context(s). Preaching will include sermons from both the Old and New Testaments. Exegetical work should emphasize interpreting texts within the whole biblical canon for proclaiming the gospel. Preach the sermon as assigned. (b) Complete a homiletic self - assessment that sets specific goals for continuing improvement and growth in preparing and preaching sermons (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3, 4] [50 hours total].
  5. Preach sermon #3 (2 parts): Prepare and each a sermon and write a reflective essay—(a) Submit notes on biblical interpretation that support the sermon, including an assessment of the preaching context(s). Exegetical work should emphasize interpreting texts within the whole biblical canon for proclaiming the gospel [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1]. Preach the sermon as assigned. (b) Write a 750-word essay that reflects theologically on the sermon in light of the course objectives, the student’s emerging vocational plans related to the ministry of the Word, and the church’s calling to proclaim the gospel in all of life. It should address what is distinct about the student’s particular voice and perspective and identify moral, social, and cultural injustices within the student’s particular community that are addressed by the proclamation of the gospel. (35%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2, 4] [25 hours].

PREREQUISITES: BI500 or NE502. It is recommended that students take preaching courses towards the end of their program. Students must be able to gather a listening group of at least 5 people for each sermon that will be delivered.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets Homiletics requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Meets the Worship, Preaching, and Communication requirement in the 80 MATM Program (Fall 2015). Meets the core requirement in Preaching and Communication (MIN2) in the 144 MDiv Program and the Communication (COMM) requirement in MA Programs.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS: To participate in an Online Live course, please make sure your computer and Internet specifications meet the requirements listed below. You may also contact the Office of Teaching and Learning to schedule a test run before the quarter begins.

Online-specific requirements:

Important Note: Students must have full administrator access to their computer. This means that students may not be able to use a company-provided computer as they often restrict some system operations necessary for online course work.

Computer Specifications:

NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.