Winter 2020/Fuller Online

TC581

Johnson

TC581: WORSHIP, THEOLOGY, AND THE ARTS TOUCHSTONE (4 Units: 160 Hours). Todd E. Johnson.

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 Christiana, 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. The course will be divided into modules, each one focusing on the exploration and/or application of this method to Christian worship and two art forms. One module will also focus on the writing and guest lecture of Dr. Cecilia González-Andrieu.

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 exegetical model to one particular artistic expression or element of Christian worship in a specific cultural location.

RELATIONSHIP TO PROGRAM LEARNING OUTCOMES: TC courses introduce students to an aspect of culture along with one or more interpretive method(s) for both understanding it and engaging with it theologically; they seek to implement the SOT PLO, "Students will have demonstrated academic capacities appropriate to an area of focus in a theological discipline or to interdisciplinary theological study."

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar for a total of 40 instructional hours. Students are required to interact with the material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: 1,200 pp. required.

Course Reader [265 pp.].

Garcia-Rivera, Alejandro. A Wounded Innocence: Sketches for a Theology of Art. Michael Glazier, 2003. ISBN: 978-0814651124, Pub. Price: $14.95 [115 pp.]. Electronic copy available through Fuller Library.

González-Andrieu, Cecilia. Bridge to Wonder: Art as a Gospel of Beauty. Baylor University Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-1602583511, Pub. Price $24.95 [165 pp.]. Electronic copy available through Fuller Library.

Falsani, Cathleen. The Dude Abides: The Gospel According to the Coen Brothers. Zondervan, 2009. ISBN: 978-0310292463, Pub Price $14.99 [200 pp.].

Fujimura, Makoto. Culture Care: Reconnecting with Beauty for Our Common Life. IVP, 2017. ISBN: 978-0830845033, Pub. Price $18.00 [85 pp. assigned]. Electronic copy available through Fuller Library.

Levy, Sandra. Imagination and the Journey of Faith. Eerdmans, 2008. ISBN: 978-0802863010, Pub. Price: $16.20 [170 pp.].

Muir, Edward. Ritual in Early Modern Europe. 2nd ed. Cambridge University Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-0521602402, Pub. Price: $43.99 [200 pp.].

REQUIRED LISTENING:

Gaye, Marvin. What’s Going On. Motown Records, 1971 [35 minutes].

REQUIRED VIEWING:

Coen, Joel, and Ethan Coen, directors. True Grit. Paramount Pictures 2010 [110 minutes].

Wood, Oliver and Stephen Heck, directors. Mr. Holland’s Opus. Buena Vista Pictures 1995 [140 minutes].

RECOMMENDED READING:

Edmonds, Ben. Marvin Gaye: What’s Going On and the Last Days of the Motown Sound. Cannongate, 2003. ISBN: 978-1841953144. [150 pp. suggested].

Dyson, Michael Eric. Mercy, Mercy Me: The Art, Loves and Demons of Marvin Gaye. Basic Civitas Books, 2004. ISBN: 978-0465017706. [80 pp. suggested].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Course reading, 1,200 pages and attentive attendance (10%). [This assignment related to learning outcomes #1-5] [60 hours]. (10%)
2. Watching two films, listening to a recording, and attending a worship service. [This assignment related to learning outcomes #1-5] [7 hours].
3. Online class participation, which includes weekly lessons, video lectures, online material, and watching/listening to/reading various art forms each week. [This assignment related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3]. [20 hours].
4. A 250-word post reflecting on course material, and two 100-word responses to classmates’ posts eight of the ten weeks. (20%) [This assignment related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3 and 4]. [18 hours].
5. A 400-600 word collaborative essay written with another student exploring the relationship of culture to hermeneutics. (5%) [This assignment related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3 and 4]. [5 hours].
6. A 400-500 word synthesis paper on a worship service you have attended and a 200 word response to one other student.(5%). [This assignment related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3]. [5 hours].
7. A 750-1,000 word reaction paper to Dr. González-Andrieu’s book and lecture (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1 and 2]. [6 hours].
8. A 750-1,000 word evaluation of Marvin Gaye’s What’s Going On in its original context(s) and its context(s) today using the exegetical method taught for cultural artifacts in class (10%). [This assignment related to learning outcomes #1 and 4]. [6 hours].
9. A 750-1,000 word evaluation of the Coen brothers’ version of True Grit in light of Falsani’s book and the method taught for exegeting cultural artifacts in class (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1 and 4]. [6 hours].
10. A 500-750 word reflection paper on the relationship between art, vocation, and community in the film, Mr. Holland’s Opus. Using Levy, Fujimura, and other course material you see as appropriate reflect on how this is or is not relevant to the place of making and receiving art as a Christian community. Write a 250 word response to one other student. (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2 and 3]. [7 hours].
11. Signature Assignment: A 2,000-2,500 word synthesis paper approved by the instructor providing an in-depth application of the hermeneutic model learned in class to one particular artistic expression or element of Christian worship in a specific cultural location (20%). [This assignment related to learning outcome #5]. [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the TH5 or C2 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Option to meet the C2 requirement in the 80 MATM Program.

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. Copyright 2019 Fuller Theological Seminary.