Spring 2013/Online
TC516
Yang
TC516: THEOLOGY, WORSHIP, AND ART. S. Edward Yang.
DESCRIPTION: This course is an introduction to Christian reflection on the visual arts. The major emphases will be (1) the actual practice of viewing art in the context of prayer, focusing on art and character, (2) the historical and theological context of art and faith, and (3) the role of the arts in the wider community and in worship. By presentations, discussions, online assignments and museum visit, students will engage with significant examples of art as a way of developing a critical appreciation and a Christian appropriation of this dimension of life—with respect to its value for worship and witness.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: A major characteristic of the past half-century is the renewal of Christian worship on the one hand and a major advance in Christian participation in the visual arts. Christians involved in ministry will be challenged with integrating the Christian understanding of the arts and culture into the demands of ministry, especially in the context of worship and spirituality.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Through reading, viewing and discussing of images, students will (1) explore and reflect on the role of the arts in the church, (2) see, experience and enjoy the connection between the visual arts and spirituality and worship, and (3) integrate this with the student’s own devotional and worship practices.
COURSE FORMAT: The course will include presentations and discussions that seek to give students a basic historical and theological orientation. But the focus will be on engaging works of art and reflecting on them as they relate to the spiritual and devotional life of the student. Weekly readings and assignments will be required.
REQUIRED READING:
Dyrness, William. Visual Faith: Art, Theology and Worship in Dialogue. Baker, 2001. ISBN: 978-0801022975, Pub.price $22.00 [190 pp.].
Miles, Margaret. Image as Insight: Visual Understanding in Western Christianity and Secular Culture. Beacon Press, 1985; reprint by Wipf and Stock, 2006. ISBN: 978-1597529020, Pub.price $25.00 [200 pp.].
Siedell, Daniel. God in the Gallery: A Christian Embrace of Modern Art. Baker, 2008. ISBN: 978-0801031847, Pub.price $25.00 [192].
Treier, Daniel, Mark Husbands, and Roger Lundin (editors). The Beauty of God: Theology and the Arts. IVP Academic, 2007. ISBN: 978-0830828432, Pub.price $22.00 [233 pp.].
Zelensky, Elizabeth, and Lela Gilbert. Windows to Heaven: Introducing Icons to Protestants and Catholics. Brazos Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-1587431098, Pub.price $18.00 [150 pp.].
RECOMMENDED READING: See course syllabus for recommended texts.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: The course grade will depend on five elements:
First, weekly participation in online discussions (30% of the grade).
Second, there will be bi-weekly quizzes based on readings and presentations (five quizzes x 5% = 25%).
Third, a 5-6 page reflection paper on a work of art (10%).
Fourth, participation in a group project that will be peer graded (25%).
Last, a 5-6 page concluding paper on a topic selected from a list of recommended topics based on academic background/emphasis (10%).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the culture (CULT) requirement in Cultural Literacy for MA programs; meets the MACL in Integrative Studies requirement for an interdisciplinary course (IDPL).