Catalogue 2008 Book - Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary

DMIN - PHASE IV
of the preaching of the Gospel and, eventually, drew together “local customs.” By examining
liturgies and their theological rationale students consider how to appropriate the church year
in effective ways in the life of the congregation.
PW.845 NARRATIVE AND IMAGINATION IN PREACHING
This course explores the creative process in preaching using insights from homiletics and
creative writing. We attend to how ideas are formed, how a sermon’s moves are structured,
and how the rational and emotional faculties are connected. Other issues of narrative line,
image, and pace in sermons are considered. Course readings and class discussion inform
students’ crafting and preaching of sermons.
PW.847 PREACHING IN THE CONTEXT OF WORSHIP
This course provides advanced work in homiletical and liturgical theory for students who
wish to focus on preaching according to its context of worship. Using the liturgical theology
of juxtaposition, students examine the nature and purpose of the sermon as one element
of the Lord’s Day Service. Attention is given to contemporary homiletical and liturgical
theologies, student preaching and provision of Sunday bulletin with music, and sample
sermon evaluation.
PW.849 CONTEXTS OF PREACHING
The act of proclamation always occurs in context. Understanding this context is an important
part of the homiletical process. This course offers an introduction to different ways of thinking
theologically about context and provides an overview of the tools available for exegeting
the stories and structures of a particular congregation or other ministry setting in which
proclamation occurs.
IV. SPECIALIZED EMPHASES IN MINISTRY
Specialized Emphases in Ministry is a curricular track that incorporates interests in
ministry which arise at particular times in the life of the church. The faculty will
designate and design special areas of emphasis in order to address these emerging
interests. Students take two courses in this area and one from another area (to be
approved by the director).
PHASE IV: THE DOCTORAL PROJECT
The fi nal phase of the program, which requires a minimum of one year, and no
more than 18 months, to complete, is TDP.902 The Doctoral Project. Working in
consultation with the DMin director and other faculty, candidates select an aspect of
ministry and develop a program of study and/or research related to it. They design
a project, present a written description of the project, and sustain an oral review
of the project by faculty. In consultation with the candidate, the director selects
a committee of two faculty members from different disciplines who supervise the
development and implementation of the project and who take part in the review.
The written portion of the project includes theological refl ection on the aspect
of ministry under consideration and the ways in which other work in the program
informs the topic. Projects are understood to be opportunities to make substantial
contributions to the understanding of a particular area of ministry and are bound
and placed in the library.
Candidates who complete all requirements for the DMin degree except for the
fi nal doctoral project will be awarded a Certifi cate of Advanced Pastoral Studies.
The course TDP.902 is valued at twelve credits.
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