DESCRIPTION:

This course is an introduction to the basic issues of a Christian interpretation of culture. Its purposes are to briefly introduce students to the major theological and biblical perspectives that have been developed in approaching culture and to develop in the student a practical and biblical wisdom whereby cultural artifacts may be understood and engaged. The purpose in the broadest sense is to develop a cultural literacy. So a major part of the course will focus on particular cultural "texts" in order to practice strategies of reading and interpretation that are informed by Christian perspectives.

It is commonly recognized that culture is experiencing a sea change. This has implications for everything Christians do, from evangelism to worship and spiritual practices. Still Christians have often not taken the trouble to develop an ability to interpret culture with sensitivity and to adjust their ministry priorities accordingly. This course seeks to provide the masters student with tools for making this adjustment.

The course will meet weekly for three hours. Class time will be divided among introductory comments and lectures by the professors, discussion of the reading, careful viewing and/or review of the cultural "text" for the day, and discussion and interaction by the students. Focus will be on interpretation of the texts, but attention will also be given to the theological and cultural resources necessary for developing interpretive skills.

Cook, Nicholas. Music: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press,1998.

Niebuhr, H. Richard. Christ and Culture. 1951; HarperSanFrancisco, 2001.

Stephens, Mitchell. The Rise of the Image, the Fall of the Word. Oxford University Press, 1998.

Reader available in the bookstore.

Student will choose one of the following four:

Briner, Bob. Roaring Lambs: A Gentle Plan to Radically Change Our World. Zondervan, 1993, 2000.

Clapp, Rodney. Border Crossings: Christian Trespasses on Popular Culture and Public Affairs. Brazos Press, 2000.

Jenson, Robert W. and Carl Braaten, eds. The Two Cities of God: The Church's Responsibility for the Earthly City. Eerdmans, 1997.

Romanowski, William. Eyes Wide Open: Looking for God in Popular Culture. Brazos Press, 2001.

Assignments are of three kinds: (1) students will be divided into groups to read and present a particular cultural perspective; (2) a report on the reading that outlines the student's own (developing) perspective on culture; and (3) a "cultural reading" project that interprets a particular cultural item in a comprehensive way that reflects the student's thinking and wisdom (group projects possible here as well).

Elective. Required course for the M. A in Theology (Theology and Arts format); may meet requirements in the Concentration in Worship, Theology, and the Arts in the M.Div. and in the M.A. in Worship, Theology, and the Arts.