Winter 2014/Fuller Online

TC521

Basselin

TC521: THEOLOGY AND CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE. Timothy Basselin.

DESCRIPTION: This course will explore (1) modern and post-modern attitudes toward the “spiritual/transcendent/God” found in selected American literature and (2) a variety of means for theological dialogue with these works. Writings by Camus, Kesey, Updike, O’Connor, DeVries, Potok, Morrison, Kingsolver, Lamott and Robinson, as well as selected essays in 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.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Preparation for ministry often assumes students possess skills in cultural analysis and interaction. This course helps students read their “culture” by having them read in their culture. In the process it provides tools and insight for engaged, effective ministry.

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 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:

Camus, Albert. The Plague. Vintage, 1991. ISBN: 978-0679720218, Pub. Price $6.00 [300 pp.].

DeVries, Peter. Blood of the Lamb. Little, Brown & Company, 1961. ISBN: 978-0226143880, Pub. Price $15.00 [230 pp.].

Kesey, Ken. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest. Penguin, 1962. ISBN: 978-0451163967, Pub. Price $15.00 [270 pp.].

Kingsolver, Barbara. Animal Dreams. Harper Collins, 1993. ISBN: 978-0060921149, Pub. Price $15.00 [350 pp.].

Lamott, Anne. Traveling Mercies. Anchor Books, 2000. ISBN: 978-0385496094, Pub. Price $15.00 [260 pp.].

Morrison, Toni. Beloved. Penguin, 1998. ISBN: 978-1400033416, Pub. Price $25.00 [350 pp.].

O’Connor, Flannery. Complete Stories. Harcourt, Brace and Co., 1977. ISBN: 978-0374515362, Pub. Price $18.00 [120 pp.].

Potok, Chaim. My Name is Asher Lev. Anchor Books, 1972. ISBN: 978-14000310447 Pub. Price $15.00 [350 pp.].

Robinson, Marilynne. Gilead. Ferrar, Straus and Giroux, 2004. ISBN: 978-1400031047, Pub. Price $14.00 [230 pp.].

Updike, John. Pigeon Feathers. Ballantine Books, 1996. ISBN: 978-0449912256, Pub. Price $15.00 [80 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: 100-120 hours total class time

1. Weekly threaded discussions and assignments that interact with the reading materials (40%)
2. Five-page critique of one of Flannery O’Connor’s stories (20%)
3. Ten-page paper on any one of the assigned books besides O’Connor or Updike (40%)

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the interdisciplinary course requirement for the MACL in Integrative Studies (IDPL); the theology and art requirement for the MA in Theology (Theology and Arts format); and specialized requirements for the MA in Worship, Theology, and the Arts, and for the MDiv Concentration in Worship, Theology, and the Arts.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.