Winter 2008/Pasadena
TC510
Taylor
TC510: THEOLOGY, POP CULTURE, AND THE EMERGING CHURCH. Barry Taylor.
DESCRIPTION: This course will focus on the intersections between theology,
popular culture, and new forms of church emerging around the globe. The student
will explore how popular culture has enabled the emergence of new incarnations
of the Christian faith uniquely focused on meeting the needs of postmodern
society. The class will focus on three main areas: (1) contemporary theologies
which are engaging postmodernity and exegeting popular culture; (2)
new-paradigm church expressions from around the globe (with particular emphasis
on models in North America and Europe); (3) contemporary theories of the
emerging global culture.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
- Awareness of new theological positions engaging with postmodernity and
popular culture.
- Understanding of the new church forms in the emerging global context.
- Development of the necessary skills for analysis of popular culture, its
role in the emerging context, and the theological intersections it
raises.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: New forms of church are appearing everywhere in
response to the emerging global context. This class will equip those seeking to
engage, or already at work in it, by providing a deepening understanding of the
dynamic intersections between theology and popular culture as expressed in the
emerging global context.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions. Classes
will be lecture-driven with multimedia presentations and small group
discussions.
REQUIRED READING:
- Browning, Don S. A Fundamental Practical Theology. Fortress
Press, 1996.
- Hyman, Gavin. The Predicament of Postmodern Theology. Westminster
Press, 2001 (U.K.: 2003).
- McLaren, Brian. Everything Must Change. Zondervan, 2007.
- Pagitt, Doug, and Tony Jones, eds. An Emerging Manifesto of Hope.
Baker Books, 2007.
- Rollins, Peter. How Not To Speak of God. Paraclete, 2006.
- Skelton, Tracy. Culture and Global Change. Routledge, 1999.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Borg, Marcus, contributor. The Emerging Christian Way.
Copperhouse, 2006.
- Lynch, Gordon. After Religion: Generation X and the Search for
Meaning. Darton Longman & Todd, 2002.
- McGrath, Alister. The Future of Christianity. Blackwell, 2002 (U.K.:
Routledge, 2001).
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Two three-page, typed and double-spaced book reviews from the required
reading list.
- One two-page, typed and double-spaced book review from the recommended
reading list.
- A final paper, fifteen to twenty pages in length on a topic to be approved
by the class instructor, related to issues raised by class material. Topics
need to be discussed and approved by class instructor by Week 4 of class
schedule.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the interdisciplinary course requirement for
the MACL in Integrative Studies; specialized requirements for the MA in
Worship, Theology, and the Arts; and theology and culture requirements for the
MA in Theology (Theology and Arts format).
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (11/07)