PR501
Epps

PR501: PREACHING IN THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN TRADITION. William S. Epps.


DESCRIPTION:

This course is designed to provided an opportunity to critically reflect on the culture and milieu in which preaching among African-Americans developed and the effects that development has on shaping the method and practice of preaching in the African-American tradition.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
The course will accomplish the following:
  1. Assist in increasing awareness of the correlation between cultural influence and communication.

  2. Share the uniqueness of preaching in the African-American tradition.

  3. Prepare and equip the participants to develop sermons which are biblically sound and culturally relevant.

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 as well as video presentations of sermons.

REQUIRED READING:
Burchett, Colleen, ed. When Black Men Stand Up for God: Reflections on the Million Man March. Chicago: African American Images, 1996.

Mitchell, Henry H. Black Preaching: The Recovery of a Powerful Art. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1990.

Mitchell, Henry and Martha J. Simmons. A Study Guide to Accompany Celebration and Experience in Preaching. Atlanta, 1993.

Wilmore, Gayraud S. Black Religion and Black Radicalism: An Interpretation of the Religious History of Afro-American People. 2nd ed. Maryknoll: Orbis, 1983.

RECOMMENDED READING
A supplementary reading list will be distributed on the first day of class from which any book may be selected for review.

ASSIGNMENTS:
It is expected that each student will read the material and be prepared to participate in the classroom discussions. Additionally, the following will be required:
  1. Deliver one sermon in class.

  2. Submit two sermon outlines developed by the student which reflect what is being taught in class.

  3. Write an assessment of the evaluation of the Million Man March as it is presented by Jeremiah Wright and Frank Madison Reid.

  4. An examination covering the assigned reading materials and class lectures.

PREREQUISITES:
None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
Elective.

FINAL EXAMINATION:
Yes.