Fall 2007/Pasadena
Five-week Intensive: Sept. 24-Oct. 26
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.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) appreciate the nature of Biblical
narrative as story; (2) understand the difference between orality and
literacy; (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 twice weekly for three-hour sessions for
five weeks. Classes will include discussions and presentations in both formal
and informal settings. Students will work intensively with a partner, and
enrollment will be limited to facilitate this. Students are expected to be
fully committed to working with a partner in this way.
REQUIRED READING:
- Bausch, William J. In the Beginning, There Were Stories.
Twenty-Third Publications, 2004.
- __________. Storytelling: Imagination and Faith. Twenty-Third
Publications, 1984. (Out of print.)
- Boomershine, Thomas E. Story Journey: An Invitation to the Gospel as
Storytelling. Abingdon 1988.
- Drane, Olive Fleming. Clowns, Storytellers, Disciples. Augsburg
Press, 2004.
- Sample, Tex. Ministry in an Oral Culture. Westminster John Knox
Press, 1994.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- 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 three or more class meetings will not receive
a passing grade; commitment to being present in class and working with a
partner's material outside class times is very important in this course.
- Written work:
(a) A paper of 10-12 pages on some aspect of story in
relation to the Bible, culture, or ministry.
(b) Development and
presentation of a partner's personal story.
Both pieces must be completed
on time to gain a 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: There is no written examination, but note the requirement
for each student to make a presentation of their partner's story, which is
therefore the equivalent of an oral examination, at a time and place to be
determined within the time frame of the five-week intensive.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (8/07)