DESCRIPTION: This course will pursue a dialogue between the biblical journey motif in Luke and the American road movie, engaging such shared themes as pilgrimage, dislocation, race, gender, wealth, family, community, and reconciliation. The course will (1) study the chief passages and theological themes found in the extensive journey motif in the Gospel of Luke, (2) view and discuss selected American road movies, (3) facilitate a cultural and theological dialogue between the two, and (4) foster interpretive skills for biblical narrative and contemporary film.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Goals are for students to (1) achieve a basic familiarity with the Gospel of Luke; (2) examine its major theological motifs; (3) engage in close readings of specific passages; (4) gain a basic overview of the history and methodologies of Gospel interpretation, and a basic introduction to film interpretation; (5) theologically probe the message of Luke and the American road movie within their respective cultural and historical environments and reflect on their contemporary significance; and (6) develop fruitful approaches to biblical narrative and contemporary film.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: This course provides a basis for (1) improved skill and confidence in interpreting Gospel narratives, (2) the development of insight into distinctives of American culture and its contact points for ministry, and (3) a model of theological engagement and biblical dialogue with cultural artifacts (such as film and media) for Christian formation, ministry, and reflection.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet from 8-12 and 1-5 on four Fridays (April 13, 27; May 11; June 1). Sessions will include discussion, lecture, and selective viewing of film scenes.

REQUIRED READING:

Cohan, Steven, and Ina Rae Hark, eds. The Road Movie Book. Routledge, 1997.

Green, Joel B. The Theology of the Gospel of Luke. NTT. Cambridge University Press, 1995.

Johnston, Robert K. Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue. Baker Books, 2000.

Laderman, David. Driving Visions: Exploring the Road Movie. University of Texas Press, 2002.

Tannehill, Robert C. Luke. Abingdon New Testament Commentaries. Abingdon, 1996.

Films, including The Grapes of Wrath, Easy Rider, Thelma and Louise, Paris Texas, Smoke Signals, Get on the Bus, The Straight Story, Rain Man, Road to Perdition, O Brother Where Art Thou? No Maps for These Territories, and other selected films from Laderman or Cohan and Hark.

Green, Joel B., and Michael C. McKeever. Luke-Acts and New Testament Historiography. Institute for Biblical Research Bibliographies No. 8. Baker, 1994.

Monaco, James. How to Read a Film: Movies, Media, Multimedia. Oxford University Press, 2000.

Marshall, I. Howard. Luke: Historian and Theologian. 2d ed. Zondervan, 1989.

Green, Joel B. The Gospel of Luke. NICNT. Eerdmans, 1997.

Johnson, Luke T. The Gospel of Luke. Sacra Pagina 3. Liturgical Press, 1991.

Tannehill, R. C. The Narrative Unity of Luke-Acts: A Literary Interpretation. Vol. 1. Fortress, 1986.

1. Class preparation, attendance, and participation, including viewing 10 selected films (10%).

2. Four short (1-2 pages) interpretive assignment papers on selected Lukan passages (40%).

3. A synthetic research assignment (10-12 pages ) on a selected Lukan text or texts in dialogue with a specific film or films, including relevant cultural background material (40%).

4. Study questions related to Green's The Theology of the Gospel of Luke (10%).