"History of Preaching in the Black Church" provides an in-depth exploration of the significant role that preaching has played in African American religious traditions. Students in this course will gain an understanding of the historical, cultural, and social contexts that have shaped the black church and its preaching traditions over time.

The course will begin with an overview of the African American religious experience, including the development of African American Christianity and the emergence of the black church. From there, students will delve into the history of preaching in the black church, tracing its evolution from the early days of slavery to the present day.

Topics covered in the course may include the use of biblical texts and religious themes in black preaching, the influence of slavery and segregation on black preaching traditions, the rise of influential black preachers such as Martin Luther King Jr. and C.L. Franklin, and the role of preaching in the Civil Rights Movement.

Throughout the course, students will be challenged to think critically about the historical, social, and cultural contexts in which black preaching has developed and to consider the ways in which preaching has both reflected and shaped the black church and the broader African American experience. Through readings, lectures, discussions, and other activities, students will deepen their understanding of the unique and powerful role that preaching has played in the lives of African Americans and in the larger American religious landscape.