Spring 2014/Fuller Online

TC530

Barsotti

TC530: THEOLOGY AND FILM (4 Units). Catherine Barsotti.

DESCRIPTION: This course will consider a theology of culture by focusing on one particular aspect: theology and film. The course will (1) view, discuss, and analyze a multicultural and global selection of films, (2) provide the student methodological and critical perspectives for engaging culture, both from the humanities and the social sciences, and (3) explore theological and biblical perspectives foundational to theology and film criticism.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will be given the opportunity to develop the tools to (1) describe and assess contemporary cultural trends as embodied in the media, (2) engage appreciatively and critically in film interpretation, (3) explore possible theological and biblical approaches to our contemporary culture, (4) articulate something of the presence and purposes of God in human culture, and (5) consider their own use of film in their Christian discipleship and ministry.

COURSE FORMAT: This course will be delivered online over a ten-week period aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar. Students are required to interact with the course material, with each other, and with the instructor regularly through online discussions, reading, and other assignments that promote active learning. Course content is communicated through required readings/viewings, video lectures, and written materials. Weekly discussions, assignments, and lectures are focused on a series of particular films and a range of critical readings. During online discussions, students will typically (1) discuss the movies, (2) consider aspects of the nature of film and/or theology, (3) use selected critical and theological approaches to culture, and (4) enter into theological criticism with the film.

REQUIRED VIEWING AND READING:

Seventeen films: Crimes and Misdemeanors; Stranger than Fiction; Moulin Rouge (Australian); Punch-Drunk Love; American Beauty; Little Miss Sunshine; Run Lola Run (German); The Princess and the Warrior (German); Okuribito (Departures, Japanese); Spirited Away (Japanese); Slumdog Millionaire (English/Indian); Water (Indian); Atonement (English); The Debt; Tree of Live; Decalogue I (Polish); The Adjustment Bureau.

The following texts:

Boorstin, Jon. Making Movies Work. Silman-James Press, 1995. ISBN: 978-1879505278, Pub. Price $19.95 [224 pp.].

Ecclesiastes.

Johnston, Robert. Reel Spirituality. 2nd ed. Baker, 2006. ISBN: 978-0801031878, Pub. Price $25.00 [290 pp. assigned].

________. Useless Beauty. Baker, 2004. ISBN: 978-0801027857, Pub. Price $22.00 [190 pp. assigned].

Villarejo, Amy. Film Studies: the basics. 2nd ed. Routledge, 2013. ISBN: 978-0415584968, Pub. Price $21.80 [184 pp.].

Class reader (approx. 350 total pages): critical essays and chapters by bell hooks, Catherine Barsotti, Kutter Callaway, Ellen Davis, Joel Green, Gordon Lynch, Clive Marsh, William Placher, Kathryn Tanner, and others.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Online class participation, which includes viewing and journaling on the assigned movies - (15%) [9-10 hours reading and film viewing/week, addressing L.O.s #1, 2 and 3].

  2. Weekly threaded discussions (200-300 word min.) reflecting on lecture/online activity and weekly response to classmates’ posts (100-150 words) - (15%) [1.5-2 hours online activity/week; 1.5-2 hours posting/week, addressing L.O.s #1, 2 and 3].

  3. Quiz on Boorstin, Making Movies Work - (5%) [2.5 hours--prep and taking quiz, addressing L.O. #2].

  4. Quiz on Villarejo, Film Studies:the basics - (5%) [2.5 hours--prep and taking quiz, addressing L.O. #1 and 2].

  5. One 2-page critical review of Johnston, Reel Spirituality - (10%) [5 hours preparing and writing, addressing L.O.s #2, 3 and 4].

  6. One 3-page report on ministry project using a film from Finding God in the Movies - (20%) [10 hours preparing, facilitating, and writing, addressing L.O. #5].

  7. One 10-page paper on a film(s) (approved by the instructor) bringing the movie(s) into dialogue with Ecclesiastes, whether letting the film shed light on the biblical text, using the biblical text to critique the movie, or otherwise engaging in dialogue - (30%) [20 hours preparing & writing, addressing L.O.s #2, 3, 4 and #5].

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).

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.