Content

The art of preaching in general and the delivery of homilies in the Coptic Orthodox Church in particular shape this unit. Students will engage homiletical theory and practice including the methodology of preparing a homily for a liturgical setting based on critical exegetical and prayerful contemplation of the lectionary texts. Patristic and modern rhetorical practices will be explored. Students will present and receive critical feedback on their preaching to present-day hearers.

Unit code: DL2520A

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 2

Unit discipline: Liturgy

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: St Athanasius College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Use the Coptic lectionary;

2.

Apply biblical exegesis within the Orthodox theological framework for the benefit of the congregation;

3.

Critique methods of preaching against traditional understandings and contemporary communication theory;

4.

Communicate concisely with clarity and felicity;

5.

Critique their own homilies and those of others as a foundation for future development.

Unit sequence

One unit of biblical studies and one unit of theology

Pedagogy

Workshops, demonstration classes, video presentations, online exploration and sharing

Indicative Bibliography

  • Coniaris, Anthony M. Preaching the Word of God. Brookline, Mass: Holy Cross Orthodox Press, 1983. (recommended for purchase)
  • Hamrick, James Kenneth. Orthodox Preaching as the Oral Icon of Christ. Amsterdam: Glagoslav Publications Limited, 2015. (recommended for purchase)
  • McClure, John S. Preaching Words: 144 Key Terms in Homiletics. Louisville, Ky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2007.
  • Robinson, Haddon W. Biblical Preaching: The Development and Delivery of Expository Messages. Grand Rapids, 2014.
  • Robinson, Haddon W., and Craig Brian Larson. The Art and Craft of Biblical Preaching: A Comprehensive Resource for Today's Communicators. Grand Rapids, Mich: Zondervan, 2005.
  • Tisdale, Leonora Tubbs. Preaching As Local Theology and Folk Art. Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1997.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Homily/Sermon

Present a short homily for critique (equivalent to 500 words, followed by a written submission). The presentation will be assessed using a combination of peer and self-review, moderated by the lecturer/s.

10 10.0
Personal & Professional Evaluation

11-13

500 10.0
Homily/Sermon

Present a homily to an audience (equivalent to 2000 words, followed by a written submission). The presentation will be assessed using a combination of peer and self-review, moderated by the lecturer/s.

2000 40.0
Essay

Co-create a framework for critiquing homilies (equivalent to 750 words)

750 20.0
Essay

Outline a homily based on the Coptic lectionary that is relevant to the lives of the hearers (equivalent to 750 words)

750 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 1 Nov, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-11 12:24:29 +1100