Summer 2014/Pasadena

TC515

Taylor

TC515: TOPICS IN THEOLOGY AND CULTURE: UNDERSTANDING POPULAR MUSIC (4 Units: 120 Units). Barry Taylor.

DESCRIPTION: The course will investigate some of the social, ethical, and psychological implications of popular music upon theology, and in turn seek a theological engagement with the diverse and varied contours of popular music. We live in an age where popular music provides a “soundtrack” to our lives; this course will explore the theological implications of this cultural artifact.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Through examination and investigation of popular music, interactive discussion, and class lectures, students will (1) gain a broad understanding of both the structure and social contexts of popular music; (2) gain an understanding of the moral and philosophical drive of many areas of popular music; (3) be equipped to engage theologically with one of the most important dynamics of contemporary culture; and (4) understand the ways in which popular music influences and shapes contemporary church and worship life.

COURSE FORMAT: Class will meet daily in four-hour sessions for two weeks. Classes will be divided between lecture and interactive discussion combined with multimedia approaches to listening and understanding popular music.

REQUIRED READING:

Frith, Simon. Performing Rites. Pantheon, 1981. ISBN: 978-0674661967, Pub. Price $23.00 [360 pp.].

Stephens, Ken. What to Listen for in Rock. Yale University Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0300092394, Pub. Price $60.00 [272 pp.].

Hesmondaugh, David, and Keith Negus. Popular Music Studies. Oxford University Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0340762486, Pub. Price $35.00 [288 pp.].

Storey, John. Cultural Studies and the Study of Popular Culture. University Georgia Press, 1996. ISBN: 978-0820325668, Pub. Price $16.95 [184 pp.].

Vanhoozer, Kevin J., ed. Everyday Theology. Baker Academic, 2007. ISBN: 978-0801031670, Pub. Price $23.99 [288 pp.].

* Listening to a selection of popular music spanning the history of the medium will be a required part of the curriculum (guidelines for this will be presented in class).

RECOMMENDED READING:

Baker, Jonny, and Doug Gay, with Jenny Brown. Alternative Worship. SPCK, 2003. ISBN: 978-0801091704, Pub. Price $16.95.

Cone, James. The Spirituals and the Blues: An Interpretation. Orbis, 1992. ISBN: 978-0883448434, Pub. Price $16.00.

Dylan, Bob. Chronicles Vol. 1. Simon & Schuster, 2004. ISBN: 978-0743244589, Pub. Price $15.00.

Kahney, Leander. The Cult of iPod. San Francisco: No Starch Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-1593270667, Pub. Price $24.95.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: Schedule for papers will be given in the first class of the intensive.

  1. Three two-page book reviews (30% of final grade).

  2. A two-page essay, typed and double-spaced, which outlines the student’s music preferences, instrumental capabilities, and aspirations (20% of final grade).

  3. A twelve- to fifteen-page paper rooted in field research on one of the musical genres covered in the course. Papers will forge a theological response to the research gathered. Students will study specific music genres (guidelines will be given in class) and include a plan for a theological presentation in their life and ministry (50% of final grade).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Option for Theology and the Arts (TA), Worship and Music Ministry (WMM), and Worship, Theology, and the Arts (WTA) emphases.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.


NOTE: This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. Textbook prices are set by publishers and are subject to change.

For your convenience, order these texts online through the Archives Bookshop.