Winter 2013/Fuller Online

NE561

McKeever

NE561: LUKE AND THE AMERICAN ROAD MOVIE. Michael C. McKeever.

DESCRIPTION: This course will pursue an online dialogue between the biblical journey motif in Luke and the American road movie, engaging such shared themes as pilgrimage, dislocation, race, gender, wealth, family, community, and reconciliation. The course will (1) study the chief passages and theological themes found in the extensive journey motif in the Gospel of Luke, (2) view and discuss selected American road movies, (3) facilitate a cultural and theological dialogue between the two, and (4) foster interpretive skills for biblical narrative and contemporary film.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Having successfully completed this course, students will have demonstrated (1) a basic understanding of the Gospel of Luke; (2) the ability to recognize and explain Luke’s major theological motifs; (3) the ability to recognize and explain recurring American cultural distinctives in American road movies; (4) skill in the interpretation of a Gospel narrative, including close readings of specific passages; (5) skill in the interpretation of contemporary film, including close readings of specific scenes; and (6) the capacity to engage in a critical and theological dialogue between motifs in Luke’s Gospel and American road movies.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: This course provides a basis for (1) improved skill and confidence in interpreting Gospel narratives, (2) the development of insight into distinctives of American culture and its contact points for ministry, and (3) a model of theological engagement and biblical dialogue with cultural artifacts (such as film and media) for Christian formation, ministry, and reflection.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be conducted online on a ten-week schedule aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar. 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 AND VIEWING:

NRSV, TNIV or CEB Bible

Green, Joel B. The Theology of the Gospel of Luke. New Testament Theology. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995. ISBN: 978-0521469326; 175 pages; $29.99.

Tannehill, Robert C. Luke. Abingdon New Testament Commentaries. Nashville: Abingdon, 1996. ISBN: 978-0687061327; 355 pages; $34.00.

Johnston, Robert K. Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 2006. ISBN: 978-0801031878; 170 pages; $12.99.

Laderman, David. Driving Visions: Exploring the Road Movie. Austin : University of Texas Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0292747326; 180 pages; $30.00.

Films, including The Grapes of Wrath; Easy Rider; Thelma and Louise; Smoke Signals; The Straight Story; Rain Man; Planes, Trains, and Automobiles; Road to Perdition; and O Brother Where Art Thou

RECOMMENDED READING:

Green, Joel B., and Michael C. McKeever. Luke-ActsandNewTestamentHistoriography. Institute for Biblical Research Bibliographies No. 8. Baker, 1994. ISBN 978-0801038723; $29.98.

Monaco, James. How to Read a Film: Movies, Media, Multimedia. Oxford University Press, 2000. ISBN 978-0195321050; $19.77.

Marshall, I. Howard. Luke: Historian and Theologian. 2d ed. Zondervan, 1989. ISBN 978-0830815135; $ 13.80.

Green, Joel B. The Gospel of Luke. NICNT. Eerdmans, 1997. ISBN 978-0802823151; $ 36.54.

Johnson, Luke T. The Gospel of Luke. Sacra Pagina 3. Liturgical Press, 1991. ISBN 978-0814659663; $ 19.77.

Tannehill, R. C. The Narrative Unity of Luke-Acts: A Literary Interpretation. Vol. 1. Fortress, 1986. ISBN-978-0800625573; $24.30

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Online Discussions and Forums: Discussion and assessment of course reading, film viewing, and related class exercises will take place weekly through interaction with classmates and the instructor in online forums (30%).

2. Three short (1-2 pages) interpretive assignment papers on selected Lukan passages (30%).

3. A synthetic research assignment (10-12 pages) on a selected Lukan text or texts in dialogue with a specific film or films, including relevant cultural background material (30%).

4. Study questions related to Green’s TheTheologyoftheGospelofLuke (10%).

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.