Summer 2015/Pasadena

PR511

Nason

PR511: PREACHING PRACTICUM (2 Units: 80 hours). Doug Nason.

DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to offer the maximum possible practical experience in preaching and sermon preparation. The class will be limited to a maximum of 9 students. Each student will preach twice during the course. Sermons are to be original work not previously presented for credit in homiletics or other speech and preaching classes. Each sermon will be discussed by class members under the direction of the instructor. All sermons will be recorded.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Goals for students in this practicum are: (1) to grow in their understanding of and conviction of the biblical text as the proper foundation for preaching; (2) to increase their ability to unfold the biblical text in a way that is compelling to hearers; (3) to refine skills their skills in framing content in a coherent and interesting way; (4) to improve their delivery skills; and (5) to gain acuity in evaluating both their own preaching and that of others.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet daily for two-hour sessions for two weeks for a total of 20 instructional hours. The first part of each meeting will be spent in worship where two sermons will be preached by members of the class. The second part of the class will include informal discussion of the sermons. PLEASE NOTE: Class attendance is mandatory. If the class is over-subscribed, the first two persons on the waiting list should attend the first class session in case there are openings, which develop due to dropped registrations.

REQUIRED/RECOMMENDED READING: Students are expected to be familiar with texts assigned in PR500, or with equivalent standard works on preaching.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Two sermons preached during the course, based on texts of the student’s choosing, with outlines and indication of the commentaries and other sources consulted submitted in writing. Regular class attendance, preparation for class, and participation in discussions are required. Any absences must be excused and will require some additional work. Students will complete a self-assessment for each of their sermons. [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1-4]. [Each sermon, with the self-assessment is project to involve up to 30 hours of student time for a total of 60 hours].

2. Regular class attendance, preparation for class, and participation in discussions are required. Students who miss more than two class meetings will not receive a passing grade [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #s 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5] [20 hours].

PREREQUISITES: PR500.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the P2 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Meets the MIN2 requirement in the 144 MDiv Program.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.