Introduction to Hymnology
The primary goal of this course is to honor the work of the Holy Spirit in over three thousand years of congregational song. The secondary goals are to help all of us to grow as worshippers and to be able to select appropriate songs in a number of settings. To do this, we will explore the history, theological themes, and literary structure of hymns, especially focusing on the interaction of text and tune. Students will be expected to memorize the first stanza of an assigned hymn each week, to form a base of historical referents.
Required texts include Austin Lovelace’s The Anatomy of Hymnody (Chicago: G.I.A. Publishing, 1965) and James Rawlings Sydney’s Hymns: A Congregational Study (Carol Stream, IL: Agape, 1983; student edition).
Taught by Dr. Rebecca Abbott.
This course is part of our Professional Certification Programs. To learn more about them, click on the button below.
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Introduction to Hymnology – Syllabus
WEEK 1: Why We Sing; The Marriage of Form and Content
WEEK 2: Old Testament & New Testament Songs
WEEK 3: Greek and Latin Hymnody
WEEK 4: The Protestant Reformation: Lutheran Hymnody & Calvinist Psalmody
WEEK 5: Eighteenth-Century British Hymnody, Part 1: Watts and Wesley | Midterm Exam
WEEK 6: Eighteenth-Century British Hymnody, Part 2: The Other Fellows
WEEK 7: Nineteenth-Century British Hymnody: The Oxford and Cambridge Movements
WEEK 8: Nineteenth-Century American Hymnody: Denominationalism and Revivals
WEEK 9: Twentieth-Century American and British Hymnody
WEEK 10: Contemporary American and Global Music; Where Do We Go from Here? | Final Exam
