Winter 2006/Pasadena
CO512
O. Drane

CO512: STORYTELLING, GOSPEL, AND CULTURE. Olive M. Fleming Drane.


DESCRIPTION: This course combines exploration of the importance of storytelling in the Biblical tradition and in postmodern culture with practical skills training in the effective use of stories in ministry and mission for the twenty-first century.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) appreciate the nature of Biblical narrative as story; (2) understand the difference between orality and literacy (in light of diverse oral and literary cultures); (3) develop relevant communication skills for today's post-literate culture; (4) acquire sophisticated tools for crafting their own stories in a spiritually formative environment.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: People today are happier with stories than with abstract propositions, and knowing how to tell a good story--whether in traditional sermons or in cutting-edge evangelism--is an essential skill for effective Christian ministry.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet weekly for three-hour sessions and will include discussions and presentations as well as the opportunity for students to work with a partner to develop their own stories. There will also be optional informal storytelling opportunities outside regular class hours.

REQUIRED READING:

Bausch, William J. In the Beginning, There Were Stories. Twenty-Third Publications, 2004.

__________. Storytelling: Imagination and Faith. Twenty-Third Publications, 1984.

Drane, Olive Fleming. Clowns, Storytellers, Disciples. Augsburg Press, 2004.

Sample, Tex. Ministry in an Oral Culture. Westminster John Knox Press, 1994.

Tilley, Terrence. Story Theology. Liturgical Press, 1985.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Boomershine, Thomas E. Story Journey: An Invitation to the Gospel as Storytelling. Abingdon 1988.

Jensen, Richard A. Thinking in Story: Preaching in a Post-Literate Age. CSS Publishing. 1993.

Ong, Walter. Orality and Literacy. 2nd ed. Routledge, 2002.

ASSIGNMENTS: Attendance: Students who miss more than three class meetings will not receive a passing grade. Storytelling: Students will develop and present their own stories, roughly one per week, as part of the preparation for the final written story project. Written work: (a) a paper of 8-10 pages on some aspect of story in relation to the Bible, culture, or ministry; (b) development of a 10-20 page final major story. Both written pieces must be completed to gain a passing grade, and each counts for 50% of the final grade.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Will fulfill a concentration requirement in the MDiv (Worship, Theology and the Arts concentration) and in the MA in Worship, Theology and the Arts.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.