Please read through the entire syllabus now as there are things
that relate to each other and assignments that could possibly be combined.
Also, you might want to start early on trying to plan and secure the various required performance sites and events. Don't procrastinate on this!
Readings
You will need to choose one book from each of the four sections below.
A. NOBS Approach to Biblical Storytelling
1. Story Journey: An Invitation to the Gospel as Storytelling by Tom Boomershine (Abingdon Press, 1988)
B. Performance
1. Provoking the Gospel: Methods to Embody Biblical Storytelling Through Drama by Richard Swanson (Pilgrim Press, 2004)
2. Proclaiming the Gospel: First-Century Performance of Mark by Whitney Shiner (Trinity Press International, 2003)
3. Improving Your Storytelling: Beyond the Basics for All Who Tell Stories in Work or Play by Doug Lipman (August House Publishers, 1999)
C. Theology/Biblical Studies
1. Offering the Gospel to Children by Gretchen Wolff Pritchard (Cowley Publications, 1992)
2. Speaking in Parables: A Study in Metaphor and Theology by Sallie McFague (Fortress Press, 1975)
3. Storytelling: Imagination & Faith by William J. Bausch (Twenty-Third Publications, 1984)
D. Communication in a Digital Culture
1. Digital Storytellers: The Art of Communicating the Gospel in Worship by Len Wilson and Jason Moore (Abingdon Press, 2002)
2. Gospeltelling to a Digital Culture: The Forensic Reconstruction of a Good Story by D. Jonathan Watts (Cloverdale Books, 2007)
3. Envisioning the Word: The Use of Visual Images in Preaching by Richard Jensen (Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2005)
Assignments and Deadlines
All papers should be emailed and videotapes/DVDs sent via parcel post to your mentor, not the Dean (unless otherwise noted). Your mentor's contact info will be given to you in early January.
It is strongly recommended that you make a copy of all tapes/DVDs and that you mail them using some sort of tracking system to ensure that your once-in-a-lifetime performances won't be lost forever!
1. Due by January 1
a. $600 tuition payment (make payment to: NOBS, 1000 W. 42nd St. Indianapolis, IN 46208-3301)
b. Your 2008 NOBS membership fee
2. Due by January 20
a. A videotape/DVD of yourself telling a biblical story. (You don't need an audience for this. Look directly into the camera.)
b. A list of biblical stories you currently know (i.e. stories you've performed at least 3 times to an audience and would be able to "dust off and polish up" for a performance if given a day to prepare).
You will not be judged or graded on the number! This is just to provide a baseline
starting point. So if you know only a few stories or even none, that's OK!
c. A 1-to-2-page paper expressing your current understanding of biblical storytelling in general (what it is, how it functions, why it's important, etc.) and the Network of Biblical Storytellers in particular.
3. Due by Feb. 15
Every year at the NOBS Festival Gathering, there is an Epic Telling (a large chunk of consecutive scripture divided into segments that volunteers learn in advance and then tell communally). This year, ABS students will perform a separate Mini-Epic Telling on a different night. You will receive the story selections in January. Submit your top three choices to Dean Radosevic at tracy@tracyrad.com by Feb. 15.
4. Due by February 29A 5-page paper summarizing Story Journey.
As you read Story Journey, begin utilizing the techniques and suggestions offered within (for story-learning, background research, personal connections, spiritual formation, etc.) on the story from 2.a. above so that even if you think you already know that story fairly well, you will continue to "marinate" in it. Journal this process, particularly the growth that takes place within yourself as a result of having deeply engaged in this exercise. Continue to work with this story in this manner throughout the spring.
5. Due by March 31
A 3-5-page paper summarizing your book choice from section B
6. Due by April 30
a. A 3-5-page paper summarizing your book choice from section C
b. A videotape or DVD of yourself telling the same biblical story as in 2.a. above. (You can either have an audience for this or not. If not, look directly into the camera. If you do have an audience, engage them and don't worry about the camera.)
7. Due by May 15
Early-bird deadline for registering for the NOBS Festival Gathering. Your ABS tuition covers your registration, room, and board but if you want a single room, or additional nights, you'll have to pay the balance. Also, you'll still need to fill out a registration form (just put "ABS" in the "$ ____") so that you can receive an information packet that, among other things, allows you to sign up for workshops.
8. Due by May 31
A 3-5-page paper summarizing your book choice from section D
9. Due by June 1
$700 tuition payment (make payment to: NOBS, 1000 W. 42nd St. Indianapolis, IN 46208-3301)
10. Due by June 30
a. A videotape or DVD of yourself telling 3 new biblical stories (stories that are not on your list from 2.b. above) that you've learned during the past two months using some of the techniques gleaned from your work with Story Journey as well as the other books you've read, particularly the book from section B. You should have an audience for this so engage them and forget about looking into the camera. (It doesn't have to be a formal event; just some gathered friends is OK -- but so is formal.)
b. A 5-page summary of your spiritual journal.
I would suggest that you keep your journal on your computer. That way, you can easily cut and paste the portions you want to include for this paper rather than doubling your work by writing it all again.
11. During the month of July, prior to our face-to-face meeting in Atlanta
a. Begin to design a possible 90-minute story-learning workshop. What would be the most important components? Which story would you use? How would you balance instruction time with hands-on time? What activities would you use to get your participants involved? Name your objectives. Etc. At the Festival Gathering, you'll compare your model with the various workshops you attend, evaluating them and tweaking yours.
For those of you with some experience in this area already, you may want to actually lead a story-learning workshop at the Festival Gathering. If you are interested in doing this, you must contact the FG Coordinator, Carol Wolf, no later than Feb. 25. Her contact info is: Caroldickwolf@cs.com and 716-626-5254. See NOBS Web site for your choices of theme stories.
b. Continue to work on and polish your section for the Mini-Epic Telling.
12. At the 2008 Festival Gathering
a. Attendance at an organizational meeting Wednesday, August 6 at 9:00 a.m. This means that most of you will probably need to arrive at Simpsonwood the night before (the cost for which is included in your tuition).
b. Attend all workshops and evaluate them, using the provided evaluation form.
c. Participate in the Mini-Epic Telling
d. Be present for all keynote presentations
e. You are strongly encouraged to witness as many of the telling opportunities as possible (Favorite Bible Stories, Story Swap, Lighting the Fire, etc.) and to actually volunteer to tell during at least one of them.
13. Immediately after the Festival Gathering during our intensive
a. Full participation in all classes, workshops, and coaching sessions. (You will be given a schedule for these events at our organizational meeting.)
b. A written, multiple-choice exam of general biblical knowledge.
Don't stress too much over this! The main purpose is to make sure that someone who earns a Biblical Storytelling Certificate knows more than just the story of Esther, for instance, and has a general understanding of the larger book from which the stories they tell come! A score of 70% will be the minimum passing grade and if you don't pass the first time, you will be given other opportunities later.
14. Due by Sept. 1
$600 tuition payment (make payment to: NOBS, 1000 W. 42nd St. Indianapolis, IN 46208-3301)
15. Due by October 31
a. Videotape/DVD of a 90-minute biblical story-learning workshop designed & led by you.
If you lead a workshop at the FG, that can count, but it still needs to be videotaped.
b. Anonymous evaluations of your presentation by the participants.
Evaluation forms will be provided, along with instructions for how to collect and mail these anonymously.
16. Due 2 weeks before final, year-end meeting
Two videotapes or DVDs of your participation in at least two storytelling events other than the Festival Gathering. These can take place at any time but it is recommended that one be before the FG (maybe as part of Vacation Bible School?) and the other in the fall (perhaps an evening Tell-around or fellowship dinner program?).
Your part for the first event needs to be at least three stories (which you are allowed to combine with #10 above); your part for the second event needs to be at least an hour.
17. Final year-end meeting (in November or December, specifics TBA)
a. 5-8-page paper summarizing how you've grown due to this experience during the past year (this should include spiritually, intellectually, telling and teaching abilities, etc.).
This can be taken straight from your journal entries.
b. Presentation of a story-learning workshop
c. 20-minute storytelling presentation with feedback and coaching
d. Written biblical exam make-up (if necessary)
e. Oral exam/evaluation
All those who successfully complete and pass the above assignments and evaluations will be granted a Biblical Storytelling Certificate for 2009. This will need to be renewed each year through an up-to-date NOBS membership (which spans the calendar year) and participation in the Festival Gathering and/or other biblical storytelling events (specifics to follow). The official graduation will take place at the 2009 Festival Gathering (allowing any make-up work to be done during that spring).
For students who do not complete all the required work within the allotted 12- month-period, a $50 fee will be charged each "semester" (January 1 to Festival Gathering is the spring semester and Festival Gathering to Dec. 31 is the fall semester) to maintain matriculation.
Upon completion of the BSC the option will be made available, to those who exhibit exceptional skill in teaching and telling as well as a healthy repertoire of stories, to go on for an additional year of study through the ABS for a Master of Biblical Storytelling Certificate. Details to follow.
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