WRSP 671 God’s People and the History of African American Worship

Understanding the history of African American worship allows the worship leader in an African American or multi-cultural church to use the knowledge gained and historical applications to formulate an appreciation of African American worship in today’s context in order to chart a course for the future of worship that is relevant and reflective of God’s ultimate purpose for unhindered authentic worship.

Textbook readings and lecture presentations

No details available.

Course Requirements Checklist

After reading the Course Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in the Course Overview.

Discussions (5)

Discussions are collaborative learning experiences. Therefore, the student is required to provide a thread in response to the provided prompt for each discussion topic that will be drawn from assigned readings, quotes from professional scholars, and course Watch items. The thread must be 400 words and demonstrate course-related knowledge, supported with at least 1 course reference and 1 scholarly citation. In addition to the thread, the student is required to reply to two other classmates’ threads. Each reply must be 200 words, supported with at least 1 scholarly citation. Acceptable sources include the Module: Week assigned textbook readings, Module: Week video presentations, and the Bible. All sources used must be cited in current Turabian format. (CLO: B, C, D, F, G) 

Research and Practical Application Paper Assignment

The student will research and write a minimum 8-10-page paper (Turabian format) on a selected topic drawn from assigned readings in Black Church Beginnings by Henry Mitchell and African American Christian Worship by Melva Costen. The practical application paper will include an actual timeline of 10-12 significant events/developments that relate to the topic and a bibliography of selected sources to support the topic (at least 7 sources – books, articles, videos, etc.). (CLO: A, B, C, D, F) 

Lecture and PowerPoint Presentation Assignment

The student will prepare a lecture and a presentation (a PowerPoint along with a written lecture of the presentation) in Turabian format that addresses a major misconception/issue about Christianity and its relationship to African American worship. The lecture should be 6-8 pages (not including the title page and bibliography), and the PowerPoint should be at least 10 slides. (CLO: C, E, F, G) 

Prayer Journal and Analysis Assignment

The student is to complete a Prayer Journal and Analysis Assignment (minimum 13 pages) based on excerpts of prayers from the book Conversations with God: Two Centuries of Prayers by African Americans by James Melvin Washington. The student will submit the Prayer Journal and Analysis Assignment with four sections: a prayer journal for six prayers, an analysis of five prayers, a student-written prayer for African Americans, and an analysis conclusion. Prayers will be posted in Canvas for the student to read and analyze. (CLO: A, B, C, D, F) 

Pedagogy Project Assignment

The student will develop a 3-module course for a 3-week guest lecture series on topics related to the history and relevance of African American worship in the 21st Century. This 3-week course should be designed to be taught in a college/university or church course offering context. This project will consist of 2 parts: 1 document containing the course syllabus, module outline, and 3 lectures and a PowerPoint presentation presenting the 3 lectures. For Part 1, the syllabus should include a basic course description, at least 4 course objectives, and at least 10 relevant texts or readings. The student will utilize the Pedagogy Project Module Outline Template to create a module outline for each module that includes a module title, an overview with a 50-word abstract written in second person, and 3-5 outcomes per module. The lectures for each module should be 4-5 pages each, 12-pages total, not including the title page, footnotes, and bibliography. Each lecture should utilize 5-6 sources and should be written using current Turabian format. For Part 2, the student will create a PowerPoint presentation that reflects each of the developed lectures. Each lecture must utilize at least 3 slides, not including the title and bibliography slide, for a total of at least 9 slides. (CLO: A, B, D, F, G) 

Song Analysis Report Assignment

The student will complete a Song Analysis Report (minimum 13 pages) covering African American spirituals, hymns, and gospel music from the 18th Century to the 21st Century. The student will choose 11 songs, each one coming from a different time period/era. Then the student will develop an analysis of the each of the songs using the Song Analysis Report Template provided to the student within the assignment on Canvas. Following this, the student will also provide an Analysis Conclusion that is at least 2 pages. (CLO: A, B, C, D, F)