DESCRIPTION: This course will offer students a visual theology and the opportunity
to learn the fundamental skills relating to digital video production as a tool for ministry. It will also introduce various related forms of media (podcasting, blogging) in ministry.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The student will develop a theology of media and demonstrate its applicability through development of 1 to 3 minute videos for use in church ministry. Students will learn the basic skills of script development, visual aesthetics, and digital editing for use in a ministry context. The student will come to understand the collaborative processes of video production.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: The twenty-first-century church is evolving into a multimedia ministry model that requires leaders to understand and appreciate how to incorporate technology as a ministry and outreach tool. This course will introduce the basic skills relating to media and technology in ministry.

COURSE FORMAT: The format is designed to allow for the creative time needed to develop a theologically driven media project as well as the post-production time necessary to complete a project. The class will meet for eight four-hour sessions (1-4:50 p.m.) on the following dates: January 8, 10, 15, 17, 31; February 12, 21; March 4. Students registering for this course may also register for TC588, but are not required to do so.

REQUIRED READING:

Elsheimer, Janice. The Creative Call: An Artist's Response to the Way of the Spirit. Shaw, 2001.

Long, Ben and Sonja Schenk. The Digital Filmmaking Handbook. Charles River Media, 2005.

Vanhoozer, Kevin J. The Drama of Doctrine: A Canonical-Linguistic Approach to Christian Theology. Westminster John Knox, 2005.

Online resources available at www.sermonspice.com; www.worshiphousemedia.com; www.damah.com; www.theworkofthepeople.com; and www.highwayvideo.com.

Baker, Johnny, and Doug Gay. Alternative Worship. Baker, 2004.

Balthasar, Hans Urs von. Theo-Drama: Theological Dramatic Theory--Prologomena. Ignatius, 1988.

Noland, Rory. The Heart of the Artist. Zondervan, 1999.

Sample, Tex. The Spectacle of Worship in a Wired World. Abingdon, 1998.

Wilson, Len. Digital Storytellers: The Art of Communicating the Gospel. Abingdon, 2002.