DESCRIPTION:

The course will engage postmodernity theologically by studying one of adolescents' primary sources of meaning: the movies. This course will investigate some of the social, ethical, and psychological implications of postmodern film upon theology, and in turn seek a theological engagement with these movies.

Postmodern ministry must engage audiences barraged by electronic overload and largely cut off from traditional, Biblical understandings of God. This course will sharpen the skills of tomorrow's ministers in analyzing culture, "reading" a film, and forging theological responses. Special emphasis will be given to recent movies, particularly the edgy, spiritually-charged visions of emerging filmmakers.

Interactive. The class will meet weekly, for three and a half hour sessions. One or two films will be viewed prior to the class session. During each session, students will (1) discuss the film(s); (2) grapple with the filmmaker's intent; (3) utilize various critical film theories; and (4) consider possible theological responses.

Detweiler, Craig and Barry Taylor. A Matrix of Meanings (reader).

Gabler, Neil. Life: The Movie. Knopf, 1998.

Grenz, Stanley. A Primer on Postmodernism. Eerdmans, 1995.

Johnston, Robert K. Reel Spirituality. Baker Academic, 2000.

Jones, Tony. Postmodern Youth Ministry. Zondervan, 2000.

Tomlinson, Dave. The Post Evangelical. InterVarsity Press, 2003.

Fourteen films to be viewed.

To be viewed prior to the first class: Fight Club.

To be viewed in this order: Memento, Being John Malkovich, Pi, A Walk to Remember, 40 Days and 40 Nights, Save the Last Dance for Me, George Washington, Donnie Darko, Crazy/Beautiful, Frailty, The Matrix Reloaded, Dogma, Moulin Rouge.

1. Viewing and journaling on films. (20%)

2. Three two-page book reviews on Jones, Grenz, and either Johnston or Gabler. (30%)

3. A twelve to fifteen page paper rooted in field research on one of ten topics covered in the course (one per week). Papers will forge a theological response to the research gathered. Students will study 3 films (united by either a filmmaker, a genre, or a theme) and include a plan for a theological presentation in their life and ministry (e.g. a Sunday school series, a sermon, a Young Life talk) (50%)

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M.Div. elective. Fulfills the M.A.T. in Theology and Arts format requirement in Integrative studies. Meets the M.A.C.L. in Integrative Studies requirement for an interdisciplinary course (IDPL).

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