School of Music Introduces New Cognate That Emphasizes African-American Music
The Liberty Online School of Music is updating their program, adding a specialized course in African-American Worship for students pursuing their M.A. in Worship Studies.
This cognate contains four courses that are designed to help students grow in their understanding of worship and leadership in the context of African-American faith-based communities. The specialization includes classes like Spiritual Formation for Leading African-American Worship, Emerging Issues in African-American Worship, Team Building in African-American Worship and God’s People and the History of African-American Worship.
The first of these classes to be launched is WRSP 671. As of now, there are eight students enrolled in this course. The online program has plans to launch WRSP 631 later this semester, and WRSP 632 and 641 have not yet opened for enrollment.
Liberty’s Online School of Music is very optimistic about this specialization on their website.
“You will learn how to inspire, guide and instruct your congregation in their walk with the Lord from world-class and nationally known pastors,” the website said. “You will also learn how to develop a worship strategy based on biblical, theological and philosophical foundations of worship.”
According to the Dean of the Online School of Music, Dr. Sean Beavers, there have been many requests for courses that cover this subject matter. As a result, the School of Music formed an advisory council of African-American worship leaders who advocated for this program and guided the formation of the course material. Beavers also added that many students who are not from the tradition of African-American worship are showing interest in this program.
The dean explained the rationale behind developing these courses.
“The Liberty University School of Music decided to develop four master’s-level online courses in African-American Worship Studies because there is a significant need for worship leaders to have greater opportunities to study the history and current issues of African-American worship leading,” Beavers said.
While these courses are currently presented in an online format, they are open to residential graduate students.
Allen Moro is a News Reporter.
That third grade teacher taught you all that you know. Remember your roots! What a fantastic article. I’m very proud of you as a student and as a young man of God.