DESCRIPTION: This course will consider one particular aspect of a theology of culture: theology and film. The course will (1) view and discuss selected films, (2) provide the student critical skills helpful for film interpretation, and (3) explore possible theological and biblical approaches to film criticism.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will be given the opportunity to develop the tools to (1) understand aspects of the nature of film and/or theology, (2) engage in film interpretation, (3) explore possible theological and biblical approaches to film criticism, and (4) consider their own use of film in their Christian discipleship and ministry.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Preparation for ministry too often assumes students possess skills in cultural analysis and interaction. This course will help students to see Western "culture" by providing a critical and theological framework for viewing cinema. While such cultural engagement is not sufficient for effective ministry, it is supportive of, if not necessary for, all aspects of ministry.

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion and lecture. The class will meet one evening per week. One or two films will be assigned prior to each class session along with supporting reading. During each class, students will typically (1) discuss the movies, (2) consider aspects of the nature of film and/or theology, (3) use a selected critical approach to film, and (4) enter into theological criticism with the film. Occasional outside resource persons will be utilized.

REQUIRED VIEWING AND READING:

1. Fifteen films: Crimes and Misdemeanors; Training Day; Smoke Signals; Moulin Rouge; American Beauty; Run Lola Run; The Princess and the Warrior; Magnolia; Punch Drunk Love; Election; About Schmidt; and two City of Angels Film Festival films; two Reel Spirituality Films on campus.

2. The following texts:

Ecclesiastes.

Barsotti, Catherine and Robert Johnston. Finding God in the Movies. Baker, 2004.

Boorstin, Jon. Making Movies Work. Silman-James Press, 1995.

Johnston, Robert. Useless Beauty. Baker, 2004.

Marsh, Clive. Cinema & Sentiment. Paternoster, 2004.

Class reader.

1. Viewing and journaling on selected movies (10%).

2. Quiz on Boorstin, Making Movies Work (10%).

3. One 2-page critical review on Marsh, Cinema & Sentiment (10%).

4. Report on ministry project using film (use Finding God in the Movies) (10%).

5. Two 2- to 3-page reviews of class reader (20%).

6. One 10-page paper on a film(s) (approved by the instructor) bringing the movie(s) into dialogue with Ecclesiastes, whether letting the film shed light on the biblical text, using the biblical text to critique the movie, or otherwise engaging in dialogue (40%).