DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to provided an opportunity to systematically reflect on the culture and milieu in which preaching among African-Americans developed and the effects that development has on shaping the method and practice of preaching in the African-American tradition.

The course will accomplish the following:

1. Assist in increasing awareness of the correlation between cultural influence and communication.

2. Share the uniqueness of preaching in the African-American tradition.

3. Prepare and equip the participants to develop sermons which are biblically sound and culturally relevant.

4. Provide models for the way African-American preachers develop sermons.

The course will meet for three hours a week for lecture, discussion, dialogue, and preaching. Selected class gatherings will include sermons presented by students.

The African American Pulpit (published by Hope International Inc., 1825 Riverdale Road, Germantown, Tennessee 38138), Summer 2004 and Fall 2004 issues, especially the articles "Preaching in the African American Tradition," by Lawrence Carter, as well as the sermons.

Haskins, James, ed. Keeping the Faith: African American Sermons of Liberation. New York: Welcome Rain Publishers, 2002.

LaRue, Cleophus J. Power in the Pulpit: How America's Most Effective Black Preachers Prepare Their Sermons. Westminster John Knox, 2002.

Taylor, Gardner. Essential Taylor. Vol. 6. Judson Books, 2002.

Thomas, Gerald Lamont. African American Preaching: The Contribution of Dr. Gardner C. Taylor. New York: Peter Lang Publishers, 2004.

Wilmore, Gayraud S. Black Religion and Black Radicalism: An Interpretation of the Religious History of Afro-American People. 2d ed. Orbis: 1983.

A supplementary reading list will be made available upon request.

It is expected that each student will read the material and be prepared to participate in the classroom discussions. Additionally, the following will be required:

1. Deliver one sermon in class.

2. Review in writing Keeping the Faith: African American Sermons of Liberation or Essential Taylor, vol. 6.

3. A final examination covering the assigned reading materials and class lectures.

None.

Elective.

Yes.