Spring 2011/Pasadena
PR501
Gordon
PR501: PREACHING IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN TRADITION. Carolyn L. Gordon.
DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity
to examine cultural nuances and traditions associated with the formulation and
development of the African American preaching style. Special attention will be
given to the historical, psychological, and communal relationships that helped
develop and shape the method and practice of preaching in the African American
tradition.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The course will assist in increasing
awareness of the correlation between cultural influence and communication, and
it will share the uniqueness of preaching in the African American tradition. In
doing so, it will prepare and equip the participants to develop sermons that
are biblically sound and culturally relevant, as well as provide models for the
way African American preachers develop sermons.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Objectives for this course are that students will (1)
become knowledgeable about the historical, psychological, and communal
relationships that help shaped preaching in the African American tradition;
(2) be exposed to some models of African American sermon preparation and
preaching; (3) explore the nuances and paralanguage of the African
American preaching tradition; (4) investigate the cultural and oral
traditions associated with African American preaching; (5) study various
contemporary and historical icons associated with great African American
preaching; (6) explore the significant role of Scripture in African
American preaching.
COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet for three hours a week for lecture,
discussion, dialogue, and preaching. Selected class gatherings will include
sermons presented by students. Students' sermons will be videotaped.
REQUIRED READING:
- Crawford, Evans, with Thomas Troeger. The Hum: Call and Response
in African American Preaching. Abingdon, 1995. 108 pages. ISBN:
978-0687180202. $17.00.
- Fry-Brown, Teresa, L. Delivering the Sermon. Fortress Press, 2008.
96 pages. ISBN: 978-0800604479. $12.00.
- La Rue, Cleophas. The Heart of Black Preaching. Westminster John
Knox, 2000. 272 pages. ISBN: 978-0664258474. $30.00.
- La Rue, Cleophas. I Believe I'll Testify: The Art of African American
Preaching. Westminster John Knox Press (April 11, 2011) 144 pages. ISBN:
978-0664236779. $17.00.
- Moyd, Olin P. The Sacred Art: Preaching and Theology in the African
American Tradition. Judson, 1995. 146 pages. ISBN: 978-0817012205.
$14.00.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: It is expected that each student will read the
material and be prepared to participate in classroom discussions as well as
other activities as assigned. Additionally, the following will be required: (1)
Deliver at least one graded sermon in class. (There will be more pending number
of students enrolled in the course.) (2) Participate in other oral
presentations as assigned (e.g., Scripture reading, etc.). (3) Write a 7-10
page research paper on some aspect of the African American preaching tradition.
(4) Give a 5-7 minute presentation on the research project. (5) A final
examination covering the assigned reading materials and class lectures.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Meets requirement for African American
Church Studies concentration in MDiv (multicultural studies) and the MA in
Multicultural Ministries. Communication (COMM) MA requirement.
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (February 2011)