Preaching and the Rhetorical Arts Hazelip School of Theology Lipscomb University Fall 2010 David Fleer, Ph.D. Phone: 248.918.3488 Email: david.fleer@lipscomb.edu (the best means of making quick contact) Office Hours: TBA Course Description and Objectives: This course is a graduate level introduction to Preaching and the Rhetorical Arts, which seeks to create a dialogue with homiletics and the ancient discipline of rhetoric. Rhetoric is the study of what is persuasive in human communication and has had a long and rocky relationship with the Christian faith. While the course assumes that preaching is a rhetorical art, early arguments that oppose rhetoric (Plato) and its relationship with Christianity (Jerome and Augustine) demand students careful scrutiny of primary materials. Exploration of the classical and contemporary applications of rhetorical theory will provide valuable resources to contribute to the student s theology and practice of preaching. This course will systematically explore the canons of rhetoric with special focus on invention, arrangement, style, and delivery, challenging students to think critically about how their preaching should follow the biblical model, embedding their theological smarts with rhetorical skills. Gary Selby s Martin Luther King: and the Rhetoric of Freedom (2008) and C. Clifton Black s, The Rhetoric of the Gospel (2001) will supplement the readings and nurture the practical preparations for preaching in class. In this course students speaking skills will be enhanced by their growing abilities to embrace the rhetorical tradition and implement the tradition s principles in their sermons. Community building will take place in leading and participating in reflective dialogue about assigned reading, knowing and appreciating preaching s rhetorical foundation and history, in being impacted by and evaluating the preaching of others, and in research and presentation through lectures, class discussions, reading assignments, writing, and sermons. Required Reading: 1) George A. Tradition from Ancient to Modern Times (revised & enlarged), Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 2001. 2) Plato, Gorgias, translated by Robin Waterfield, London: Oxford University Press, 1994. 3) Augustine, On Christian Doctrine, translated by D. W. Robertson, Jr., New York: Macmillan, 1989.
4) Gary S. Selby, Martin Luther King: and the Rhetoric of Freedom. Baylor University Press, 2008, ISBN: 978-1-60258-016-9 5) C. Clifton Black, The Rhetoric of the Gospel, Chalice Press, 2001. ISBN: 0-8272- 3218-7. 6) Lucy Lind Hogan & Robert Reid, Connecting with the Congregation: Rhetoric and the Art of Preaching, Abingdon, 1999. ISBN: 0-687-08529-2. Expectations and Requirements A. Preparation for Class. While looking for central issues in assigned texts, students should read for detailed comprehension in preparation for class dialogue. Assigned readings are to be completed prior to each class session. The base readings are listed below, but each session may include an additional single essay to complement the core material. B. Term Paper: Preaching and the Rhetorical Arts. Each student is required to write a reflection paper that unpacks his or her own Theology of Preaching and the Rhetorical Arts. This essay should include: 1) interact with the readings in Kennedy 2) focus on one rhetorical canon, 3) demonstrate a strong connection with one s own preaching strengths and weaknesses, and 4) provide a clear description of how the rhetorical arts have impacted the student s understanding of preaching. The essay should build on the foundation of the assigned readings but must move into other primary and secondary sources. The essay should be 15-16 pages in length and due on the last day of class. Each student will present the paper before the class (a 20 minute reading with time for Q/A ~ a format one should expect at an academic conference). The presentation will reflect the student s comprehension of the material and will be a strong factor in the grade. 7) Major Book Review: Gary S. Selby, Martin Luther King: and the Rhetoric of Freedom provides clarity to the best modern embodiment of the canons of rhetoric. Late in the semester the class will discuss Selby s, Martin Luther King and on that occasion, you will turn in a review paper with this title: A Review of Martin Luther King: and the Rhetoric of Freedom. This paper will be 5 pages in length, Times New Roman type font, 12 point font size, standard margin. You must studiously follow the SBL style format. Develop the paper in this way: a. Two pages should be devoted to summarizing the content of the book: what the author says, how he develops his thought, etc. b. The heart of the paper (approximately three pages) should be devoted to a critical analysis of King s rhetoric. Some places from which to base your analysis: how does King s embodiment differ (or serve as the foundation for) the view expressed by Augustine 2) a particular period in history and/or 3) another appropriate standard.
c. Articulate in one well crafted paragraph how the book has modified or challenged your concept of preaching. Avoid discussion of stylistic issues. Attend to matters of content. C. Sermon. Late in the semester students will preach one sermon from an assigned pericope. The sermon will be 10 minutes in length and will be accompanied by 5 pages of exegetical notes, a one page outline, a full manuscript, and a focus and function statement. Discussion will follow each sermon. The sermon should demonstrate an ability to implement the rhetorical arts and imply interaction with the readings in the course. Assigned pericopes and further detail will be discussed early in the course. D. Discussion Leading: All students will be expected to read carefully all assignments. Throughout the semester, each student will be asked to lead class discussion. Preparation should include extra reading, concise summary and critique of the assigned readings, and questions to guide class dialogue. Think in terms of 30 minutes for the in class experience. F. Course Policies: Work submitted after the assigned date will not be accepted. G. Attendance and Grading Students are expected to attend all class meetings. The term paper will count for 25% of the final grade, the sermon for 25%, class participation & discussion leading 30%, and book review 20%. Criteria for grading assignments will include: clear organization, apt analysis, fresh insight, crisp and appropriate style, and persuasion H. Schedule August 23:Introduction to the Class and Subject August 30: The Case Against Rhetoric Plato, Gorgias (for comprehension and as the locus for class discussion) Tradition from Ancient to Modern Times (chapters 1-4, special interest in the sophists and Plato) September 13 The Case For Rhetoric Tradition from Ancient to Modern Times (chapter 5: Technical Rhetoric in the Roman period) Augustine, On Christian Doctrine, (Books 1-3) Hogan & Reid, chapters 1 & 2
September 27 Early Christian Rhetoric Tradition from Ancient to Modern Times (chapter 7: Judeo- Christian Rhetoric) Augustine, On Christian Doctrine, (Book 4) Hogan & Reid, chapters 3 & 4 October 4 Invention (Where does the sermon originate?) Tradition from Ancient to Modern Times (chapters 8-9: Rhetoric in the Medieval period) Hogan & Reid, chapter 5 October 18 Dispositio Tradition from Ancient to Modern Times (chapter 10: Rhetoric during the Renaissance) Hogan & Reid, chapter 6 October 25: Discussion of Selby (Review due in class) November 1 Style Hogan & Reid, chapter 7 November 8: Tradition from Ancient to Modern Times (chapter 11: Neo- Classical Rhetoric) Hogan & Reid, chapter 8 November 15 Rhetorical Arts: fill in the gaps Tradition from Ancient to Modern Times (The New Rhetoric) Discussion of Clifton Black s Rhetoric of the Gospel November 29: Preaching December 6: Term Papers due (with presentation)