Resources
Home > Resources > Interdisciplinary Learning > Teaching > SyllabiMUSIC 236: Hymnology
Calvin College
Fall Term, 2005
Professor: Bert Polman, a.k.a. Dr. Bert
1. Description
Music 236 is a historically- and theologically-informed course on Christian congregational song, ranging from Old Testament psalms to contemporary praise-worship songs, from traditional Western hymnody to global worship songs, with some attention to cultural context and practica. Course requirements include readings, tests, seminar presentations, reports on hymn recordings & visits to churches, as well as practical assignments. No musical prerequisites. 3 credits.
This course replaces the somewhat similar courses in Calvin College's 2004-2005 Calendar which were entitled "Music 236: History and Philosophy of Music in Worship" and "Music 277: Congregational Song in Christian Worship."
2. Objectives
This course entails:
a) acquiring an understanding of the history of Christian hymnody
b) acquiring an understanding of the theology of hymn texts and characteristics of hymn tunes
c) basic exposure to aesthetics of hymnody, esp. on matching of text and tune, and performance
d) gaining an appreciation for the diverse functions of hymnody in Christian life & worship
e) perspectival application of a Christian worldview to issues in hymnology
f) skill development of library & field research on hymnody
g) learning a pedagogy for teaching hymnody
h) developing competence in use of hymnals, worship songbooks, and hymnal handbooks
i) singing many hymns from various traditions and styles
3. Textbooks and Resources
a) Students must obtain the following 3 textbooks:
Psalter Hymnal-any of its music editions (Grand Rapids, MI: CRC Publications, 1987)
Psalter Hymnal Handbook, edited by Emily Brink & Bert Polman (Grand Rapids, MI: CRC Publications, 1998)
Sing! A New Creation-leader's edition (Grand Rapids, MI: CRC Publications, 2002)
b) Students are required to study the following additional materials [on reserve in the library]:
i) 1 of the following 4 books on psalms:
Bernhard W. Anderson: Out of the Depths: the Psalms Speak for Us Today (1974/1983/2000) BS 1430.5 .A53
Walter Brueggemann: The Message of the Psalms: a Theological Commentary (1984) BS 1430.3 .B78
John H. Hayes: Understanding the Psalms (1976) BS 1430.2 .H35
Tremper Longman III: How to Read the Psalms (1988) BS 1430.2 .L66
ii) S. Paul Schilling: The Faith We Sing (1983) BV 310 .S34
iii) James R. Sydnor: Hymns, a Congregational Study-both student and teacher's editions (1983) ML 3001 .S92 H95
c) Calvin's Hekman Library has a growing collection of hymnals and hymnal handbooks; also journals (e.g., The Hymn), reference books, and other books on psalms and hymns. Please note that hymnological materials are variously classified in the BV, M, and ML sections of the library; resources on the Psalms may be found in BS 1430. CD recordings of psalms/hymns/choruses are available in the Cayvan Collection of the library. The college library staff and Dr. Bert are ready to advise on research.
4. Course Requirements
Though Dr. Bert routinely does not take attendance, you are expected to attend classes regularly and participate in class discussions and singing; textbook readings and reading of other material should be done prior to the next class or week as assigned.
A) submit two (2) listening reports on 2 different recordings of hymns; each recording is to be at least 50 minutes in length. These listening reports must be submitted to Dr. Bert via e-mail; include the following in each report:
Hymnology [Music 236] Listening Report by (your name) Date:
i) Name of the recording(s) and primary performers/accompanist/conductor/ arranger, manufacturer's label & catalogue number, and date, in proper discographical format
ii) Give some historical information about the contents of the materials to which you listened, with reference to four (4) specific authors and/or composers of your choice, with information from a hymnal handbook (or a more general historical essay about the genre represented on this recording if the authors/composers are anonymous). Write approx. 50 words for each of the historical persons or 200 words for a historical essay.
iii) Explain, describe, and/or comment on three (3) texts of your choice (but different from those treated in ii ), from the materials on this recording [approx. 50 words for each of the three texts].
iv) Explain, describe, and/or comment on three (3) musical settings and/or performance features, chosen from the materials on this recording (but different from those treated in ii and in iii ) [approx. 50 words for each of the three musical comments].
Identify any hymnology source(s)-such as hymnal handbook(s) in endnotes, using proper bibliographic citations.
Due dates (e-mail before 5 p.m.):
1st report on Wednesday, September 21
2nd report on Wednesday, October 5
B) write a hymn text: a metrical paraphrase of a Scripture text or a new hymn text; your verse should consist of 12 or more lines (divided over 3 or more stanzas), should involve rhyme, should follow one of the more commonly-used meters (so that it can be sung to a familiar hymn tune), and must be submitted by e-mail to Dr. Bert. Due date: Wednesday, November 9, before 5 p.m. There will be opportunity to do revisions, and the final version is due prior to class time on Wednesday, November 23, again in an e-mail copy. The average between the original mark and that of any revision will become the final mark for this project. The best texts will be sung in class on Friday, December 2.
C) make one (1) class presentation on one of the topics identified with an asterisk (*) in the course schedule (see below, #6, on pp. 6-7). This presentation is to be done with Powerpoint. You are to prepare an outline for the class [or use the slides-handout generated by Powerpoint], with suitable source materials documented in a biblio; photocopy at your own expense for the class. The topics will be chosen during the first week of classes, and will ordinarily be presented on the date assigned in the course schedule. You will need to use the full class period [50 minutes] in a combination of presenting your information, any class discussion, and singing appropriate selections. Make your own arrangements for any accompanist that may be needed.
D) complete one diary project containing three (3) written reports on church visits:
i. You are to visit at three (3) different church services throughout the semester, and reflect on their use of "psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs" according to the following four (4) categories:
a) the suitability of their choices for that service and season of the church year
b) the liturgical or other function(s) of their songs in the service
c) the quality of their texts and tunes as worship songs
d) the quality of the actual performance of their worship songs
ii. These reports may not be on a campus event, e.g., a chapel service or a "LOFT" service.
These reports should be on a variety of denominational traditions, including Roman Catholic, and mainline & evangelical Protestant, but not the Eastern Orthodox nor sects/cults. The intent is that you experience hymnody in a church context other than your own, and that you experience a variety of such contexts beyond your comfort zone.
iii. Word-process your reflection (with specific relevant details such as topic of service, authors/composers of songs, and attach church bulletin) in approx. 100 words for each report.
iv. Submit one report, in hard copy, on each of the following due dates at class time:
Wednesday, September 28
Friday, October 28
Wednesday, November 30.
E) write a comprehensive final exam, for which you may use the Psalter Hymnal and Sing! A New Creation, but not any hymnal handbook(s).
5. Evaluation
The final grade for this course will be composed of the following:
2 listening reports 10%
3 church reports 15%
hymn text writing 15%
seminar presentation 30%
final exam 30%
Students will evaluate both the course and Dr. Bert at the end of the term. Late assignments will lose 5% per day (not counting Sundays). Failure to do at least two of the church reports, or the class presentation, or to write the final exam results in an automatic failure for the entire course; the only exception to this rule is in cases of medically-verified illness or emergency/death in the family with verification from the Student Life Dept.
6. Course Outline
Readings in the Psalter Hymnal Handbook [PsHH], the leader's edition of Sing! A New Creation [Sing!], and the other sources [all given in the RH column] are to be done prior to class time.
Unit 1: Texts
Sept 7 Orientation to the course
9 Intro to terminology, hymnals, & hymnal handbooks
Sept 12 Introduction to literary and musical features of hymns
read any of the Psalm books; also PsHH 14-27
14 Introduction to the Biblical psalms and psalmody
16 Psalms of lament
Sept 19 Psalms of praise/thanksgiving
21 Hymnic psalms
[1st listening report is due]
23 Other types of psalms
Sept 26 Hymn texts about God and the Trinity Faith We Sing [1st half]
Hymn texts about creation and providence
28 Hymn texts about Jesus Christ and redemption
[1st church report is due]
30 Hymn texts about the Holy Spirit; the Word of God
Oct. 3 Hymn texts about worship and the sacraments Faith We Sing [2nd half]
5 Hymn texts about the church's mission/ministries
[2nd listening report is due]
7 Hymn texts about living in the world
Hymn texts about the life to come
Unit 2: Traditional Hymnody
Oct 10 Guest: Dr. Karin Maag, class meets in the Meeter Center, Library 4th floor
PsHH 55-66
12 Canticles & early Christian hymns
14 Greek, and Latin hymns
Oct. 17 * Lutheran hymns PsHH 28-54, 67-72
19 * Calvinist and English psalms
21 * Pietist & Moravian hymns
Oct. 24 * Isaac Watts PsHH 73-77
26 [Advising Day, no classes]
28 * John & Charles Wesley
[2nd church report is due]
Oct. 31 * The Olney Hymns & later 18th c. British developments PsHH 77-82
Nov. 2 * Hymns surrounding the Oxford Movement
4 * Hymns Ancient & Modern & Victorian hymnody
Nov. 7 * The English Hymnal, and Welsh hymns PsHH 82-87
9 * Early American hymnody & Lowell Mason
[your hymntext is due]
11 * White gospel hymns and songs
Nov. 14 * Black spirituals & gospel songs PsHH 87-89
16 * Southern folk hymns
Unit 3: Contemporary Developments
Nov. 18 Modern psalmody: Dr. Emily Brink Sing! 408-411
Nov. 21 Global hymnody Sing! 412-418, 424-437
23 Recent British & American hymnody
[your revised hymntext is due]
25 [Thanksgiving recess, no classes]
Nov. 28 Mini hymns, Scripture choruses, Taizé music Sing! 418-423
Praise-worship songs
[3rd church report is due]
Dec. 2 Singing of student hymn texts
Dec. 5 Language issues in psalms/hymns Sydnor booklets
7 Psalms/hymns for the church year; hymn concertati & hymn anthems;
Hymns in church education; management of hymns
Course evaluation, preview of final exam
Dec. 14 Final exam [9:00 a.m. to 12 noon]
7. Additional Notices
Students are advised to retain this copy of the course syllabus to assist in any application for transfer credit, or to document details of this course.
Students are invited to talk to Dr. Bert about creating conditions under which they can learn best and demonstrate well what they're learning. All reasonable accommodations will be made for students with documented disabilities.
Calvin College has a policy on inclusive language with which our community is encouraged to abide. This policy, among other things, wants all of us to "avoid demeaning terms or attitudes about people based on age, disability, ethnicity, gender, race, or national origin," and to "avoid using masculine terms to refer to persons who might be either male or female." This latter injunction has direct impact on the hymn text which you are to write; hymntexts which do not adhere to this policy on inclusive language will not be accepted.