DESCRIPTION: This course is the introductory course for all students entering Worship, Theology and the Arts (WTA) concentrations at the master's level. This course introduces the students in the WTA concentration to the methodology that will undergird their theological study of Christian worship, along with narrative, performing, and plastic arts. Beginning with Augustine's philosophy of language and learning as introduced and developed in De Magistro and De Doctrina Christina, and his assertion that all we have to communicate with are signs, words, and gestures, this course will explore methods of exegeting signs and gestures to supplement the exegesis of words. This course has three elements: course readings, lectures, and interviews with artists, experiential learning through "field trips" to museums, theatres, etc., and class discussions and group and individual projects.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: St. Francis of Assisi famously stated that one should proclaim the gospel at all times, and if necessary use words. This course will introduce the student to ministry resources that are nonverbal and can be seen as complementary to verbal proclamation of the gospel. In a world that is becoming increasingly comfortable with symbolic and artistic communication, this course invites the student to consider the various ways the gospel can be proclaimed in symbolic and artistic ways, and the strengths and limits of these forms of communication.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: A student successfully completing this course will (1) articulate the application of Augustine's theory of communication to worship and the arts; (2) describe in general terms the history and theology of the arts in relation to the Christian faith; (3) describe in general terms the history and theology of Christian worship in relation to the arts; (4) apply the hermeneutic model of interpretation to worship and the arts in a cursory way; (5) complete an in-depth application of this hermeneutic model to one particular artistic expression or element of Christian worship.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet online for three weeks prior to a one-week intensive in New York City. A rota of readings and assignments will be completed prior to our gathering in New York. Our week will have a rhythm of lectures and discussions, together with interviews and field experiences, and synthetic conversations. Students will be required to attend arts performances and exhibits as part of their learning. The students will then have assignments due after our week together, some to be posted on online.

REQUIRED READING:

Course Reader. 400 pp.

Dyrness, William. Visual Faith: Art, Theology and Worship in Dialogue. Baker Academic, 2001. ISBN: 0801022975. Retail: $22. 190 pp.

Fujimora, Makoto. Refractions: A Journey of Faith Art and Culture. NavPress, 2009. ISBN: 1600063012. Retail: $25. 175pp.

Garcia-Rivera, Alejandro. A Wounded Innocence: Sketches for a Theology of Art. Liturgical Press, 2003. ISBN: 0814651127. Retail: $15. 150 pp.

Harris, Max. Theater and Incarnation. Eerdmans, 2005. ISBN: 080282837X. Retail: $18. 165pp.

Levy, Sandra. Imagination and the Journey of Faith. Eerdmans, 2008. ISBN: 9780802863010. Retail: $18. 100 pp.

Muir, Edward. Ritual in Early Modern Europe. 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press, 2005. ISBN: 9780521602402. Retail: $36. 300 pp.

Smith, Patti. Just Kids. Ecco, 2010. ISBN: 0060936223. Retail: $16. 300 pp.

Wilder, Thornton. Our Town: A Play in Three Acts. Harper Perennial, 2003. ISBN: 0060512636. Retail: $14. (OR any unabridged version.) 180 pp.

Velvet Underground and Nico. Polydor/Umgd. 48 minutes.

1. Completion of readings (20%)

2. Posts and responses on Moodle, written on course readings and classmates posts (30%)

3. A final project approved by the professor in which the student demonstrates his or her knowledge of the methods introduced in the class by applying them to a specific art form or forms (50%)