Spring 2017/Pasadena
PR501
Moore
PR501: PREACHING IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN TRADITION (4 Units: 160 hours). Joy J. Moore.
DESCRIPTION: This course provides the required preaching practicum for students by critically exploring the oral interpretation of Scripture though the historical, theological, ecclesial, and aesthetic tradition of the African American Pulpit. PR501 is designed as a 4-unit practicum in preaching that follows PR500 in the sequence of required preaching courses. The course provides students with an opportunity to work the “Developing” and “Mastery” levels of competence by preparing, preaching, listening to, responding to, and assessing sermons in a classroom setting. Instructors lead students through the following steps: assessing one’s prior preaching experience; setting personal goals for the class; preparing and preaching sermons; receiving feedback on sermons and engaging in self - assessment; making specific plans for continued growth and improvement; reflecting on one’s experience during the class; setting goals for continued learning and growth in preaching after completion of the class.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course students will have demonstrated (1) competence in biblical interpretation through faithful use of the whole canon of Scripture in proclaiming the gospel with attentiveness to the African American Pulpit; (2) capacities for engaging listeners in preaching as a community forming activity from the context of African American worship; (3) an understanding of how the theology of the American Black Church and its historical developments, including the practice of preaching, inform the proclamation of the gospel in the present; and (4) competence in preaching that articulates the theologically reflective practices of African American preaching that serves the Church’s vocation of proclaiming the gospel in the whole of life.
COURSE FORMAT: The class meets once weekly for three hours for a total of 30 hours of classroom work. The remaining 10 hours are completed in Directed Learning Activities. The course is primarily focused on practice with a moderate amount of outside reading to assist in the process of assessing and reflecting on sermons of the African American Pulpit. The practicum is led by the professor and requires participation of the whole class. Students preach a minimum of three (3) sermons for which they receive feedback, evaluative comments, and guidance to encourage continued reflection, learning, and growth. Students also engage in self-assessment and reflection after each sermon. In addition to class discussions following each sermon, students are able to consult individually with the professor.
REQUIRED READING: 612 pages required
Brown, Teresa L. Fry. Weary Throats and New Songs: Black Women Proclaiming God’s Word. Abingdon, 2003. ISBN: 978-0687030132, Pub. Price $26.99 [252 pp. assigned]
Gilbert, Kenyatta R. A Pursued Justice: Black Preaching from the Great Migration to Civil Rights. Baylor University Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-1481303989, Pub. Price $39.95 [224 pp. assigned]
Moss, III, Otis. Blue Note Preaching in a Post-Soul-World: Finding Hope in an Age of Despair. Westminster John Knox Press, 2015. ISBN: 978-0664261603, Pub. Price $18.00 [136 pp. assigned]
RECOMMENDED READING:
LaRue, Cleophus J. Rethinking Celebration: From Rhetoric to Praise in African American Preaching. Westminster/John Knox, 2016. ISBN: 978-0664261498, Pub. Price $20.00 [120 pp.].
Lowry, Eugene L. The Sermon: Dancing the Edge of Mystery. Abingdon Press, 1997. ISBN: 978-0687015436, Pub Price $19.99 [127 pp.]
Simmons, Martha and Frank Thomas, ed. Preaching with Sacred Fire: An Anthology of African American Sermons, 1750 to the Present. W. W. Norton & Co., 2010. ISBN: 978-0393058314, Pub. Price $49.95 [992 pp.]
Tisdale, Lenora Tubbs. Preaching as Local Theology and Folk Art. Fortress, 1997. ISBN: 978-0800627737, Pub. Price $24.00 [176 pp.]
Ware, Frederick. African American Theology: An Introduction. Westminster John Knox Press, 2016. ISBN: 978-0664239503, Pub. Price $30.00 [256 pp.].
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
612 pages of required reading (10%). Additional reading for exegetical and theological work in specific sermon preparation is expected. [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 3] [30 hours].
Attend and participate in class (5%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4]. [30 hours].
Preaching Autobiography. Write an initial 900 word “preaching autobiography” that describes and reflects on: 1) the student’s experience of preaching - as a student and participant in communities of faith; 2) the student’s hopes and goals for the class; 3) the student’s understanding of the ministry of the Word as a form of leadership that serves God’s mission (3%). [This assignment is related to outcome # 4] [3 hours of DLAs].
Completerequired Directed Learning Activities (choose from a list of options in course syllabus). (7%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3]. [7 hours].
Prepare and preach two (2) sermons and provide exegetical notes and self-assessment. Preaching will include sermons from both the Old and New Testaments. Students are required to complete the following (a) Prepare and preach a sermon, with particular attention to the place of preaching in worship and preaching as a catechetical/formative practice of the church. Students will submit exegetical notes with each sermon. (The professor will provide guidelines for exegetical work.) (b) Complete a substantive homiletic self-assessment after each sermon that reflects specifically on both strengths and weaknesses and sets goals for continuing improvement and growth in preparing and preaching sermons (35%). [This assignment is related to outcomes #1, 2, 4]. [40 hours].
Preach a third sermon and provide an essay that includes assessment with theological reflection (2 parts): (a) Prepare and preach a sermon. Submit notes on biblical interpretation that support the sermon, including an assessment of the preaching context(s) [liturgical, ecclesial, social, cultural, economic, etc.] Exegetical work should emphasize interpreting texts within the whole biblical canon for proclaiming the gospel. (b) Write a 500-word assessment that reflects theologically on the sermon in light of the course objectives, the student’s vocational plans to serve the ministry of the Word, and the church’s calling to proclaim the gospel in all of life (20%). [This assignment is related to outcomes # 1, 2, 3, 4]. [38 hours].
Write a 1500-word critical reflection on The African American Pulpit for Biblical Preaching using the theories presented in class addressing theologically a specific 21st Century context through your accompanying sermon that demonstrates transformational discipleship, mission, and ministry. (20%). [This assignment is related to outcome #3]. [12 hours].
PREREQUISITES: PR500.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the P1 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Meets the core requirement in Preaching and Communication (MIN2) in the 144 MDiv program. Option to meet the C5 requirement in the 120 MDiv and 80 MATM Programs (Fall 2015). Option to meet requirement in the African American Church Studies emphasis.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.