Graduate Course Descriptions
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MAWL 5307   (3-3-0)   Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual Songs
The course will equip the graduate student with an understanding of the nature and function of corporate song in the service of Worship. It will explore the historical development of corporate song throughout the history of Christianity. Class instruction will include the study of Psalms, Chorales, Hymns, Gospel Songs and Contemporary Christian Song. The Sacred Song as literature will be explored. The importance of song to the theological education of the church will be featured. Early Church Song, Psalmody, and the development of the Hymn in England and America will be pursued. Analysis of current trends in the use of corporate song in the worship and mission of the church will be explored.   Spring.
Prerequisite: None.


MAWL 5310   (3-3-0)   The Worship Toolbox: Philosophy and Practice
A survey of biblical foundations and theological, aesthetic and philosophical issues concerning Christian worship. The goal of the course will be to help the graduate student develop a sound philosophy of the Fine Arts in worship while gaining important administrative skill necessary to plan, develop, and lead worship experiences. Music's role in modern Christian worship practice will be explored. Upon completion of the course, the student will possess competencies in worship planning and worship leading worthy of Christian service to the church and the world.   Spring.
Prerequisite: None.


MAWL 6303   (3-3-0)   Spiritual Formation and Worship
This course will survey the resources available to a Christian minister for personal spiritual growth and effectiveness as a minister. The study will include practical guidance and personal disciplines for spiritual formation based upon biblical principles.   Fall, Spring.
Prerequisite: None.


MAWL 6308   (3-3-0)   Worship Through the Ages
This course surveys the practice of private and corporate worship from the New Testament era through the present, including the rites. symbols, writings, and elements held sacred by the most prominent Christian traditions. It will also identify leaders who shaped most significantly the ways in which the Church has gathered to worship.   Spring.
Prerequisite: None.


MAWL 6309   (3-3-0)   Worship and Pastoral Care
The course examines the biblical, theological, and practical dimensions of worship as experienced through pastoral care. The course will examine the role of the worshiping minister as he/she practices ministry personally as well as corporately. The course will also examine how worship experiences may offer both praise to God and provide a meaningful response to the pastoral needs of persons and congregations.  Spring.
Prerequisite: None.


MAWL 6311   (3-3-0)   Global Worship
The course examines the impact of worship as it relates to missions around the globe. The course will provide a biblical, theological, historical, and practical examination of the role worship exerts in the philosophy and practice of missions. Attention will be given to the practical ways worship aids the proclamation of the Gospel.   Fall.
Prerequisite: None.


MAWL 6312   (3-3-0)   The Worshiping Life
This course examines the biblical, theological, historical, and practical aspects of the worshiping leader's life as a disciple of Christ. The course provides an examination and evaluation of various ethical disciple models as they relate directly to the current practice of contemporary ministry. Focus will be directed toward the worshiping leader's personal and corporate ministry.   Spring.
Prerequisite: None.


MAWL 6313   (3-3-0)   21st Century Transformational Worship
The course examines the biblical, historical, philosophical and practical issues that provide "meaning" in the worship leader's life and ministry. This course draws upon the entire degree curriculum to encourage the development of a comprehensive worship ministry. Focus will be given toward encouraging a minister's self-awareness and evaluation, serious moral reflection upon the nature and content of ministry practice, and on-going worship ministry evaluation. The course aims to equip worship leaders to analyze a ministry context for its transformational qualities and to make changes to enhance this dimension personally and corporately.   Fall, Summer.
Prerequisite: None.


MAWL 6314   (3-3-0)   Visual and Media Arts in Worship
The course will acquaint the graduate student with cutting-edge material available in the performing, visual, and media arts for the service of worship. The intersection and integration of these fine arts across the various worship, traditions, and practices will be explored. This study will also focus on current trends of the use of these art forms in contemporary worship. During the course of study the student will develop a sound philosophy of the use of performing, visual, and media arts in order to enhance the worship of God.   
Prerequisite: None.


MAWL 6315   (3-3-0)   Mentorship (S-L)
This capstone course places the worshiping leader in a practical ministry context for supervised application of the theoretical tools gained in the classroom setting. Students will be paired with leading worship practitioners in a designed learning relationship. (The student will complete a minimum of 400 hours of supervised ministry practice [equivalent of 3 hours classroom credit] in a pre-approved ministry setting.) Professional Portfolio completion and assessment as well as other program exit assessments are components of the capstone course.  This course contains a field-based service-learning component. Fall, Spring.
Prerequisite: None.


MAWL 6316   (3-3-0)   Worship Theology for Contemporary Ministry
The course examines the biblical, historical (Christian/church), and practical aspects of theology in worship ministry. The course provides theological foundations for worship, reflective tools to assess theological implications of personal and corporate ministry, and equips worshiping leaders to apply these tools practically in ministry contexts.   Fall.
Prerequisite: None.


MAWL 6318   (3-3-0)   Contemporary Trends in Worship Expression (Available Spring 2010)
This course will explore some of the newest trends and practices in corporate worship in the context of contemporary American church life. A survey and analysis will be conducted on such topics as Contemporary Ethnic/Cultural Worship Expressions, Worship in a Postmodern Culture, Worship in the Emergent Church, Beyond the Contemporary/Seeker-Sensitive Worship Model, The Emerging Church Worship Paradigm, The Rediscovery of Taize Worship, and the Contemporary Development of Ancient-Future Worship Liturgies.   Spring.
Prerequisite: None.


MAWL 6319   (3-3-0)   Praise Team Dynamics and Development
This course will explore relevant aspects of the local church’s corporate worship Praise Team as they relate to the Praise Team’s place in the contemporary worship paradigm as well as its place in the overall worshiping life of the church.   Fall.
Prerequisite: None.