Winter 2014/Pasadena
CO516
Moore
CO516: PROCLAMATION FOR A VIRTUAL REALITY. Joy J. Moore.
DESCRIPTION: This four-unit course considers the task of oral public interpretation of scripture in light of the ways in which social media has reshaped the idea of community formation.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Asking whether we should adopt, adapt, or abandon popular forms of mediated communication, this class raises awareness of the theological questions present inpublic communication. Emphasis is placed on the lifelong task of acquiring practical habits appropriate for cultivating judgment required for faithful communication of the gospel in a media-saturated world.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to: (1) recognize the ways the media has shaped our individual reactions to modern culture and events; (2) interpret the American media-saturated context as expressed in use of language, visual arts, and technology; and (3)prepare theologically framed messages in oral, written and multi-media formats.
COURSE FORMAT: This class will meet twice weekly for three-hour sessions during the last 5 weeks of the quarter. In addition, students will participate weekly in a 2-hour online discussion.
REQUIRED READING:
Carr, Nicholas. The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains. W. W. Norton, 2011. ISBN: 978-0393339758, Pub. Price $15.95 [280 pp.].
Collins, Suzanne, The Hunger Games. Scholastic Press, 2008. ISBN: 978-0439023481, Pub. Price $17.99 [384 pp.].
Detweiler, Craig, ed., Halos and Avatars: Playing Video Games with God. Westminster John Knox, 2010. ISBN: 978-0664232771, Pub. Price $20.00 [224 pp.].
Geivett, R. Douglas, and James S. Spiegel, eds., Faith, Film, and Philosophy: Big Ideas on the Big Screen. IVP Academic, 2007. ISBN: 978-0830825899, Pub Price $26.00 [278 pp.].
Kallenberg, Brad J., God and Gadgets: Following Jesus in a Technological Age. Cascade Books, 2011. ISBN: 978-1608993994, Pub. Price $22.00 [188 pp.].
Moodle articles and viewing assignments.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Class attendance (20%).
Reading Response Blog - Students will make two (2) entries into the Blog each week and respond to at least one (1) entry of a classmate each week. A single entry should be one (1) to two (2) paragraphs. Responses to an entry may be any length. (20%)
6-minute video message (15%).
Two critiques of an assigned media presentation that includes a description of the main theme(s), a critical question, and 1-2 takeaways for developing a communication style. (5% each, 10% total).
Original 3-minute story presented orally (5%).
FINAL presentation: 17-18-minute presentation engaging an emerging culture on a pre-approved current events topic (30%).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the Communication requirement (COMM) in MA programs; the CO5 (CO500 + CO503) requirement of various degrees; and the Media and Ministry requirement for MA in Worship, Theology, and the Arts and MDiv concentration in Worship, Theology, and the Arts.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.