Spring 2016/Pasadena
TC521
Johnston
TC521: THEOLOGY AND CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE (4 Units: 162 Hours). Robert K. Johnston.
DESCRIPTION: This course will explore (1) modern and postmodern attitudes toward the “spiritual/transcendent/God” found in selected American literature and (2) a variety of means for theological dialogue with them. Writings by Kesey, DeVries, Updike, O’Connor, Potok, Malamud, Morrison, Kingsolver, and Lamott, as well as selected essays in both theological and literary critical theory will be read. While debunking or listening, symbolizing or secularizing, arguing or affirming, American fiction over the last fifty years is often found interacting with the religious/spiritual currents that pervade our culture. As such, it invites dialogue from a theological perspective.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will be given the opportunity (1) to develop skills in cultural analysis and interaction by engaging in literary interpretation; (2) to explore possible theological approaches to the reading of literature, (3) to consider how literature might be a resource for “reading culture,” for spiritual development and discipleship, and for ministry.
COURSE FORMAT: This class meets once per week for three-and-a-half-hour sessions for a total of 35 hours of classroom instruction for lecture and discussion plus 5 hours of directed learning activities for a total of 40 instructional hours. One novel or short story collection and an accompanying critical essay(s) will be read and discussed each week. With enrollment limited to thirty-five, students will be asked for their active participation in class discussion and small groups.
REQUIRED READING: 2,460 pages of novel reading; 175 pages of critical text. Note: many of the books can be purchased used for substantial savings.
DeVries, Peter. Blood of the Lamb. Little, Brown and Company, 1961. ISBN: 978-0226143880, Pub. Price $14.00 [246 pp.].
Kesey, Ken. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Penguin,1962. ISBN: 978-0141181226, Pub. Price $9.99 [272 pp.].
Kingsolver, Barbara. Animal Dreams. Harper Collins, 1993. ISBN: 978-0060921149, Pub. Price $14.99 [342 pp.].
Lamott, Anne. All New People. Counterpoint, 1989. ISBN: 978-1582430546, Pub. Price $13.95 [166 pp.].
_____________ Traveling Mercies. Anchor Books, 2000. ISBN: 978-0385496094, Pub. Price $15.95 [273 pp.].
Malamud, Bernard. The Assistant. Perennial, HarperCollins, 1957. ISBN: 978-0374504847, Pub. Price $12.50 [264 pp.].
Morrison, Toni. Beloved. Vintage, 1987. ISBN: 978-1400033416, Pub. Price $16.00 [275 pp.].
O’Connor, Flannery. A Good Man is Hard to Find. Harcourt, Brace and Co., 1977. ISBN: 978-0156364652, Pub. Price $13.95 [173 pp.].
Potok, Chaim. My Name is Asher Lev.Anchor, 1972. ISBN: 978-1400031047, Pub. Price $15.00 [350 pp.].
Updike, John. Pigeon Feathers. Ballantine Books, 1996. ISBN: 978-0449912256, Pub. Price $14.95 [188 pp.].
Course Reader of selected critical essays (Doctorow, Eliot, Johnston, R.W.B. Lewis, Holland, Brown, O’Connor, Hansen, TeSelle, hooks, Gunn, Nussbaum). Available on Moodle. [176 pp.].
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
2,460 pp. of required reading (novels) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1 & 3]. [75 hours].
Reading articles on criticism, theology and critical theory [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2]. [10 hours].
Writing short 150 word précis/questions on eleven critical essays (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2]. [6 hours].
Two class presentation(s)/1-2 page papers on a selected novel or related theological essay (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1,2,3]. [8 hours]. (This includes 5 hours of DLA’s).
4 “objective” pop quizzes on novels (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1].
Four page critique and theological interaction with Flannery O’Connor’s A Good Man is Hard to Find (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1 & 2]. [8 hours].
A ten-page paper on Lamott’s two books that 1) presents the power and meaning of the novel, 2) notes similarities and differences of novel’s themes, cultural perspectives, and informing vision of life with her book of essays, 3) evaluates the importance, differences, and personal effectiveness of the two different literary forms for Lamott, and 4) offers a theological evaluation/critique/dialogue of the novel and its cultural perspectives from your own theological standpoint. (35%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1,3]. [20 hours].
Class participation [This assignment is related to learning outcome #3-5]. [35 hours].
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the TH5 or C2 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Option to count in the Theology and Arts emphasis, Worship and Music Ministry emphasis, Worship, Theology and the Arts emphasis and Youth, Family, and Culture Emphasis. Meets the interdisciplinary course requirement (IDPL) for the MACL in Integrative Studies.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.