Winter 2020/Fuller Online

WS514

Willmington

WS514: MUSIC AS THEOLOGICAL EXPRESSION. (4 Units: 160 hours). Edwin M. Willmington.

DESCRIPTION: This course is intended to be a survey of how music has been used in the church and as art as a means of declaring the message of God in the world and an expression of faith. Students will be guided through historical periods, trends, styles, controversies, and varieties of musical media from past to present. The course will aid the student to consider the theological issues relating to the use of music in worship and the world at large.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The goals for this course are that students will (1) learn of the rich musical heritage of the Christian church at worship; (2) acquire evaluation skills (musical and theological) for determining appropriate use of music in art and in worship; (3) be spiritually prepared for ministries relating to the use of music as an artist and in worship; and (4) consider how music and the creative process functions in the wider culture.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: This course will introduce students to one or more strategies for culturally and contextually appropriate worship ministry in the local church or institutional chaplaincy, which is consistent with the SOT PLO “Students will have demonstrated capacities to cultivate a theologically reflective practice of Christian discipleship.” (MDiv, MAT, MATM). The emphasis on self-care this course provides introduction to the related outcome the students will “design a set of practices that embody and sustain God’s call.” This course will also contribute to the SOT PLO “Students will have demonstrated capacities for being theologically reflective practitioners for Christian ministries.” (MDiv, MATM) and addresses SIS PLO “Students will have demonstrated capacities to pursue vocations that engage the mission of God globally.” (MAICS).

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours. Students are 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: 1125 pages required.

Best, Harold M. Music through the Eyes of Faith. HarperSanFrancisco, 1993. ISBN: 978-0060608620, Pub. Price $15.99 [250 pp.].

Costen, Melva Wilson. African American Christian Worship. Abingdon Press, 2007, 2nd edition. ISBN: 978-0-687-64622-7, Pub. Price $19.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [120 pp.].

Lim, Swee Hong, and Ruth, Lester. Lovin’ On Jesus: A Concise History of Contemporary Worship. Abingdon Press, 2017. ISBN: 978-1-4267-9513-8, Pub. Price $29.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [140 pp.].

Saliers, Don. Music and Theology. Abingdon Press, 2007. ISBN: 978-0-687-34194-8, Pub. Price, $14.99 [75 pp.].

Vagacs, Robert. Religious Nuts, Political Fanatics: U2 in Theological Perspective. Cascade Books, 2005. ISBN: 1-59752-336-4, Pub. Price $17.00 [85 pp.].

Wilson-Dickson, Andrew. The Story of Christian Music: From Gregorian Chant to Black Gospel. Fortress Press: Minneapolis, 2003. ISBN:0-8006-3474-8, Pub. Price $54.75. [256 pp.].

Selected reading from (eReserves):

Cherry, Constance. The Music Architect: Blueprints for Engaging Worshipers in Song. Baker Academic, 2016. ISBN: 978-0801099687, Pub. Price $22.99 [Chap. 2, 3,5,11; 85 pp. assigned].

Mouw, Richard J. and Noll, Mark A. Wonderful Words of Life: Hymns in American Protestant History and Theology. Wm. B. Eerdmanns Publishing Co., 2004. ISBN: 0-8028-2160-X, Pub. Price $29.50 [Chap. 1,6,9; 50 pp. assigned].

Kroeker, Charlotte, editor. Music in Christian Worship: At the Service of the Liturgy. Liturgical Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0-8146-3021-1, Pub. Price $24.95 [Chap. 6,8; 20 pp. assigned].

In addition, articles will be assigned for reading related to certain topics.

  1. Reading, video lectures, PowerPoint presentations, music listening assignments (25%). [Reading: 75 hours and Video lectures, etc.: 15 hours = 90 hours total].
  2. 250-word weekly forum posts, related to reading and listening assignments (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3, 4, and 5] [10 hours].
  3. 250-word weekly forum responses, related to forum posts. (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3, 4, and 5] [10 hours].
  4. A written profile of his or her music and worship journey [3-5 pages] (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2 and 3] [5 hours].
  5. A paper on the student’s philosophy of church music [3-5 pages] (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3, 4, and 5] [15 hours].
  6. Listening to an assigned album (or equivalent) and preparing a written evaluation of each work [1-2 pages each] (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2, 3, and 5] [10 hours].
  7. A recorded video and written project related to a study of an assigned person who influenced some aspect of music and theology [video, 1-2 pages] (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3, 4, and 5] [10 hours].
  8. Resource discovery related to music and theology (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, and 4] [10 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

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.