Spring 2009/Pasadena
WS521
Schmit/Plantinga

WS521: MUSIC AND THEOLOGY: THE POWER OF MUSIC. Clayton J. Schmit & Richard Plantinga.


DESCRIPTION: This course will explore the relationship between theology and music, with special emphasis on the ways that music dynamically expresses Christian faith. It will consider issues such as using music as a lens through which we understand theology, exploring the interaction between music and theology in Christian traditions, the ways that music functions liturgically, and the theologies apparent in worship songs, hymns, and sacred music.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The course seeks the following goals for each student: Cognitive: students will become acquainted with theological themes found in sacred music and aware of the ways in which music functions liturgically; Affective: deepened appreciation for the power of music to express Christian faith and theological themes in worship; Skills: capacity to employ theological judgment relative to the way music functions in worship, and to select music for worship that communicates effectively.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Music is a key element of Christian worship. It can be used to proclaim the gospel, express prayer, and speak to things too deep for words. Understanding the way music functions theologically and liturgically is a necessary skill related to worship planning and worship leadership.

COURSE FORMAT: The ten-week course will be a hybrid of online and in class instruction. Students will meet once during the first week of classes for a three-hour period (9:00 am, Friday, April 3) to become oriented to the course and to prepare for negotiating the online portion of the class. Students will then work online for the next five weeks doing basic readings and assignments. Students will meet again in the sixth week of the quarter (9:00 am, Friday, May 1) for a three-hour period for lecture and reading discussion. Weeks seven and eight continue with online assignments in preparation for an intensive two-day seminar held during the ninth week. (The seminar will take place on Friday May 29 and Saturday May 30.) During the seminar, the instructors will lead in lectures, discussions, and exercises teaching methodologies that will be further explored during the remaining week of the course.

REQUIRED READING:

Bach, J. S. Musical score of The St. Matthew Passion. Dover Miniature Scores.

Begbie, Jeremy S. Theology, Music, and Time. Cambridge, 2000 (selected portions).

Berger, Theresa. Theology in Hymns? Kingswood/Abingdon, 1996.

Blackwell, Albert. The Sacred in Music. Westminster John Knox, 1999.

Marshall, Madeleine Forell. Common Hymnsense. GIA, 1995.

Mouw, Richard, and Mark Noll, eds. Wonderful Words of Life: Hymns in American Protestant History and Theology. Eerdmans, 2004 (selected portions).

Sachs, Oliver. Musicophilia: Tales of Music and the Brain. Vintage, 2007.

Shaffer, Peter. Amadeus: A Play. Harper Collins, 1981, 2001.

Wilson-Dickson, Andrew. The Story of Christian Music. Fortress, 1996.

Course Reader.

ASSIGNMENTS: Students will be responsible for all readings, attendance at the two class meetings and the two-day seminar, online assignments, and projects. The online portions will involve threaded discussions, quizzes, critical analysis of listening and viewing assignments, and projects. The course grading will be weighted accordingly: classroom and seminar involvement (participation and discussion), 25%; response to reading material (quizzes, papers, and threaded discussion of each text book), 25%; critical analysis of listening and viewing assignments, 25%; and a final course project 25%.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets MDiv and MA core requirement for Music and Worship Concentration.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (1/09)