Fall 2008/Pasadena
PR501
Gordon
PR501: PREACHING IN THE AFRICAN AMERICAN TRADITION. Carolyn L. Gordon.
DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to provide students with an opportunity
to examine cultural nuances and traditions associated with the formulation and
development of the African American preaching style. Special attention will be
given to the historical, psychological, and communal relationships that helped
develop and shape the method and practice of preaching in the African American
tradition.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Objectives for this course are that students will (1)
become knowledgeable about the historical, psychological, and communal
relationships which help shaped preaching in the African American tradition;
(2) be exposed to some models of African American sermon preparation and
preaching; (3) explore the nuances and paralanguage of the African American
preaching tradition; (4) investigate the cultural and oral traditions
associated with African American preaching; (5) study various contemporary and
historical icons associated with great African American preaching; (6)
explore the significant role of Scripture in African American preaching.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The course will assist in increasing awareness of the
correlation between cultural influence and communication, and it will share the
uniqueness of preaching in the African American tradition. In doing so, it will
prepare and equip the participants to develop sermons that are biblically sound
and culturally relevant, as well as 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. Students' sermons will be videotaped.
REQUIRED READING:
- Crawford, Evans, with Thomas Troeger. The Hum: Call and Response
in African American Preaching. Abingdon, 1995.
- La Rue, Cleophas. The Heart of Black Preaching. Westminster John
Knox, 2000
- Moyd, Olin P. The Sacred Art: Preaching and Theology in the African
American Tradition. Judson, 1995.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Frye, Theresa L. Weary Throats and New Songs: Black Women
Proclaiming God's Word. Abingdon, 2003.
- LaRue, Cleophus J.. ed. Power in the Pulpit: How America's Most
Effective Black Preachers Prepare Their Sermons. Westminster/John Knox,
2002.
- _______. The Heart of Black Preaching. Westminster/John Knox,
1999.
- Mitchell, Henry. Black Preaching. Harper & Row, 1970.
- _______. Celebration and Experience in Preaching. Abingdon, 1990.
- Proctor, Samuel D. "How Shall They Hear?" Effective Preaching for Vital
Faith. Judson, 1992.
- Stewart, Warren. Interpreting God's Word in Black Preaching. Judson,
1984.
ASSIGNMENTS: It is expected that each student will read the material and be
prepared to participate in classroom discussions as well as other activities as
assigned. Additionally, the following will be required: (1) Deliver at least
one graded sermon in class. (There could be more pending number of students
enrolled in the course.) (2) Participate in other oral presentations as
assigned (e.g., Scripture reading, etc.). (3) Write a 7-10 page research paper
on some aspect of the African American preaching tradition. (4) Give a 5-7
minute presentation on the research project. (5) A final examination covering
the assigned reading materials and class lectures.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Meets requirement for African American
Church Studies concentration in MDiv (multicultural studies) and the MA in
Multicultural Ministries. Communication (COMM) MA requirement.
FINAL EXAMINATION: Yes.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (7/08)