Spring 2003/Pasadena
PR501
Epps
PR501: PREACHING IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN TRADITION. William S. Epps.
DESCRIPTION:
- This course is designed to provided an opportunity to
systematically reflect on the culture and milieu in which preaching among
African-Americans developed and the effects that development has on shaping the
method and practice of preaching in the African-American tradition.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- The course will accomplish the following:
- Assist in increasing awareness of the correlation between cultural
influence and communication.
- Share the uniqueness of preaching in the African-American tradition.
- Prepare and equip the participants to develop sermons which are biblically
sound and culturally relevant.
- Provide models for the way African-American preachers develop
sermons.
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 and a visit to Second Baptist, 2412 Griffith
Avenue, Los Angeles, on Monday, April 14, 2003, for an actual worship
service.
REQUIRED READING:
- The African American Pulpit. Judson Press Quarterly, current
issue for Winter or Spring 2003.
- Haskins, James, ed. Keeping the Faith: African American Sermons of
Liberation. New York: Welcome Rain Publishers, 2002.
- LaRue, Cleophus J. Power in the Pulpit: How America's Most Effective
Black Preachers Prepare Their Sermons. Westminster John Knox, 2002.
- Taylor, Gardner. Essential Taylor. Vol. 6. Judson Book
Press, 2002.
- Wilmore, Gayraud S. Black Religion and Black Radicalism: An
Interpretation of the Religious History of Afro-American People. 2d ed.
Orbis: 1983.
- A supplementary reading list will be made available upon
request.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- It is expected that each student will read the material and be
prepared to participate in the classroom discussions. Additionally, the
following will be required:
- Deliver one sermon in class.
- Review in writing Keeping the Faith: African American Sermons of
Liberation or Essential Taylor, vol. 6.
- A final examination covering the assigned reading materials and class
lectures.
PREREQUISITES:
- None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Elective.
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- Yes.