Winter 2016/Sacramento

PR522

Barstow

PR522: PREACHING PRACTICUM: THE GOSPEL OF MARK. (2 Units: 80 hours). James Barstow.

DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to give students practical experience writing and delivering exegetical sermons. Attention will be given to preparation method, preaching style, the use of the voice and body and discussion of a practical theology of multi-media use in preaching. Each student will prepare two sermons from the gospel of Mark. Each sermon will be evaluated and discussed by class members under the direction of the instructor. Class size will be limited to nine students.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students completing this course will have (1) demonstrated increased conviction that the biblical text is the proper foundation for preaching; (2) grown in their ability to frame coherent and pastorally appropriate content; (3) improved their delivery skills; (4) increased their skills in evaluating their own preaching/speaking, as well as that of others; (5) practiced developing and presenting a sermon with the use of PowerPoint.

COURSE FORMAT: The class meets weekly for two hours (ten class sessions) for a total of 20 instructional hours. Initial class time will be set apart for discussion of multi-media (its best practices, pitfalls to avoid, and making theological judgments about its use) and additional lectures. From week three on students will be presenting their sermons, followed by peer feedback and instructor input.

REQUIRED READING:

The Gospel of Mark.

Chosen by the student according to the text and subject of the student’s sermons.

RECOMMENDED READING:

Lowe, Doug. PowerPoint 2013 for Dummies. Wiley Publishing, Inc, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-118-50253-2 Pub. Price $22.00.

Students are expected to be familiar with texts assigned in PR500, or with equivalent standard works on preaching.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Prepare and deliver two original sermons (work not previously presented for credit in homiletics or other speech and preaching classes) 20 minutes in length. With each sermon submit a manuscript that is accompanied by exegetical work, footnotes to commentaries and resources, an outline, and cover sheet that will be handed out in class. The first will typically be given without PowerPoint (upon agreement with the professor the first one can include PowerPoint. (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2, 3]. [30 hours].

2. The second sermon must be accompanied with PowerPoint and/or other media resources. (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2, 3, 5]. [30 hours].

3. Class participation is an important part of the work of this class, so attendance is mandatory. Each student will be asked to give both oral and written feedback to each message. (20%).[This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 4]. [20 hours].

PREREQUISITES: PR500.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets M.Div. core requirement in Preaching and Communication (MIN 2). Meets the P2 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. The practicum may be taken for credit more than once (but not in the same quarter).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.