Fall 2007/Pasadena
PR500
Schmit
PR500: HOMILETICS. Clayton J. Schmit.
DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to give a general introduction to the
theology of preaching and to the art and craft of sermon design and delivery.
The person of the preacher, the nature of preaching, and principles of sermon
construction will be discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: The course seeks the following goals for each student:
Cognitive: theoretical knowledge relating to theology of preaching, sermon
design, and delivery; Affective: deepened appreciation for the
dialogical quality of preaching and the needs of the listener in the preaching
process; Skills: capacity to craft a sermon that engages the biblical
text, the context of the audience, theological issues, and the hearts and minds
of listeners; and to deliver it meaningfully.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The spoken witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ has
always been a primary means of communicating the faith. It continues to be a
powerful tool for planting, teaching, and nurturing faith in Christ. Biblical
preaching is the principal public form of this witness, and skill in biblical
interpretation, sermon preparation, and proclamation is expected of those who
are called to serve as ministers of the Gospel.
COURSE FORMAT: The course has both lecture and practicum components. The
practica are small groups of students led by teaching assistants under the
direction of the professor. In these groups students will preach two sermons
(both video-taped), on which they will receive feedback from group members and
the teaching assistant. Each student will receive personal feedback by the
professor on one of the two preached sermons. Special Note: Given the strong
practical component of this course, it will be scheduled to meet for two-hour
sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but will call upon some students to meet at
alternative times to accommodate preaching practica groups and TA schedules.
REQUIRED READING:
- Allen, Ronald, ed. Patterns of Preaching. Chalice, 1998.
(selected portions.)
- Barth, Karl. Homiletic. Westminster/John Knox, 1991. OR
- Lischer, Richard. A Theology of Preaching.
Parthenon/Labyrinth, 1992.
- Long, Thomas G. The Witness of Preaching. Westminster/John
Knox, 1989.
- Taylor, Barbara Brown. Bread of Angels. Cowley, 1997. (Selected
portions.)
- Course Reader: Multicultural Preaching.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Black, Kathy. A Healing Homiletic. Abingdon, 1996.
- Buttrick, David. Homiletic. Fortress, 1987.
- Craddock, Fred B. Preaching. Abingdon, 1985.
- LaRue, Cleophas J., ed. Power in the Pulpit: How America's Most
Effective Black Preachers Prepare Their Sermons. Westminster/John Knox,
2003.
- Long, Thomas and Cornelius Plantinga. A Chorus of Witnesses.
Eerdmans, 1994. (Selected portions.)
- Norén, Carol. The Woman in the Pulpit. Abingdon, 1992.
- Spurgeon, Charles. Lectures to My Students. 2nd ed. Zondervan,
1979.
ASSIGNMENTS: Preparation and preaching of two sermons, including submission of
exegetical notes and manuscript for each. Reading of all assigned text
material. Several brief written exercises, including evaluations of written and
live sermons. Grade will be based on written assignments and exegetical notes.
Because the sermons in this class are presumed to be among the student's first
sermons, they will simply be graded as pass/fail. Though not graded as to form,
content, or presentation, they will be carefully evaluated and discussed in
class and with the professor. Attendance at the practicum groups is mandatory,
and grade may be reduced for absences not excused.
PREREQUISITES: NE502.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv core requirement in Preaching and
Communication (MIN2) and the Communication (COMM) requirement in MA
programs.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (7/07)