DESCRIPTION: This course explores the variety of ways that music expresses
theology through the juxtaposition of sound and text, and through the spiritual
formation of peoples and congregations as it is played and sung. Particular
attention will be given to the pastoral implications arising from music's
capacity to embed theology both individually and communally by shaping
theology, evoking memory and forging relationships.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Discussions of music in the life of the
church often revolve around pragmatics of planning and rehearsal, without
attending to how music functions formatively within worship contexts. Often,
musical decisions are made on the basis of unexamined biases, and can evoke
strong reactions either positively or negatively. By exploring music as a type
of ritual and by making use of discussions of music occurring within the
discipline of theological aesthetics, this course will offer tools to
critically and pastorally understand why music often evokes deep responses, and
provide opportunities to consider how music can be most effectively used in the
service of congregational life.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who pass this course will demonstrate that they
have: gained a deeper understanding of music's formative qualities and their
pastoral implications; articulated how music functions within their own
tradition; and begun to develop an ability to identify and interpret value
judgments surrounding discussions of music.
COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet weekly for three-hour sessions. Classes
require an average of eight hours a week of preparation time (reading, viewing
sound and video clips, and writing response papers). Class time will include
both lecture and discussion of readings, written assignments, and excerpts from
musical works.
REQUIRED READING: A minimum of 1200 pages taken from the following: