Fall 2015/Pasadena

PR500

Pasquarello

PR500: HOMILETICS (4 Units: 160 hours). Dr. Michael Pasquarello III.

DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to give a general introduction to the theology of preaching and to the art and craft of sermon design and delivery. The person of the preacher, the nature of preaching, and principles of sermon construction will be discussed.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The course seeks the following goals for each student: (1) Cognitive: theoretical knowledge relating to theology of preaching, sermon design, and delivery; (2) Affective: deepened appreciation for the dialogical quality of preaching and the needs of the listener in the preaching process; (3) Skills: capacity to craft a sermon that engages the biblical text, the context of the audience, theological issues, and the hearts and minds of listeners; and to deliver it meaningfully; and (4) Worship and Context: will explore the relationship between the reading and the preaching of God’s word in worship in its various contexts.

COURSE FORMAT: This class meets twice weekly in two hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours in the classroom for lecture and discussion. The course has both lecture and practicum components. The practicum is led by the professor. In the practicum students will preach three sermons (to be recorded), on which they receive feedback from group members and the professor. In addition to that which is given in the practicum, each student will have the opportunity to receive personal feedback on the preached sermons.

REQUIRED READING: 1,000 pp. of required reading

Barnes, M. Craig. The Pastor as Minor Poet: Texts and Subtexts in the Ministerial Life. Eerdmans, 2008. ISBN: 978-0802829627, Pub. Price $20.00 [154pp.].

Brown, William P. Sacred Sense: Discovering the Wonder of God’s Word and World. Eerdmans, 2015. ISBN: 978-0802872210, Pub. Price $22.00 [184pp.]

Green, Joel B. and Michael Pasquarello. Narrative Reading, Narrative Preaching: Reuniting New Testament Interpretation and Proclamation. Baker Academic, 2003. ISBN: 978-0801027215, Pub. Price $22.00 [198pp.].

Kreider, Alan and Eleanor Kreider. Worship and Mission after Christendom. Herald Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-0836195545, Pub. Price $19.99 [322pp].

Students will choose ONE of the four texts below:

Gonzalez, J. L., and C. G. Gonzalez. The Liberating Pulpit. Wipf & Stock, 2003. ISBN: 978-1592441402, Pub. Price $17.00 [124pp.].

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.].

Massey, James Earl. Stewards of the Story: The Task of Preaching. Westminster/John Knox, 2006. ISBN: 978-0664229818, Pub. Price $20.00 [126pp.].

Taylor, Barbara Brown. When God is Silent. Cowley Publications/Rowman & Littlefield, 1998. ISBN: 978-1561011575, Pub. Price $14.95 [144pp.].

RECOMMENDED READING: The syllabus will include a list of recommended readings.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 1,000 pages of required reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1,2,3,4]. [50 hours].
2. Student will write a one to two page reflection on each required text and on the elective text. Instructions will be provided. (2% each, 10% total) [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 3] [6 hours].
3. Preparation and preaching three sermons. Sermons will be graded for content and presentation; they will also be carefully evaluated and discussed in the practicum. Instructions will be provided. (50%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3] [38 hours].
4. Submission of an exegetical journal and manuscript for each sermon. Instructions will be provided. (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1] [12 hours].
5. Attendance at the practicum is mandatory, and grade may be reduced for absences not excused. (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2] [20 hours, included in classroom hours calculations].
6. Students will write a five-page paper of their theology and philosophy of preaching. Instructions will be provided. (5%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1] [5 hours].
7. Students will write a 3 page "preaching autobiography" in the form of a narrative of their experience with preaching: both as a preacher, listener, and participant.  This should include their observations, perceptions, concerns and comments in relation to preaching in our time based on this experience. This assignment will also include a student's hopes for the course and areas in which she or he desires to grow in relation to preaching. (2.5%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1] [3 hours].
8. Choosing one Old Testament and one New Testament text, students will write a 4 page paper that seeks to articulate and demonstrate the Gospel, the proclamation of the good news of God whose reign is revealed in creation, the calling of Israel, the incarnation of Jesus Christ, and the creation of the Church. (2.5%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3] [6 hours]. 

PREREQUISITES: BI500 or NE502.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the 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.