Summer 2018/Fuller Online

TC521

Colley

TC521: THEOLOGY AND CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE (4 Units: 160 Hours). David J. Colley.

DESCRIPTION: This course will explore notable religious and non-religious literary works of fiction as well as literary and theological essays focusing on literature for purposes of enhancing one’s ability to read fictional narrative thoughtfully and practice the disciplines of literary interpretation and cultural exegesis from a perspective that is informed by theological and faith traditions. Concepts such as the meaning of story and narrative and its theological importance will also be explored. Students will engage both in literary criticism of the texts as well as philosophical and theological reflection and interpretation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) learn and apply elements of literary criticism; (2) engage in cultural interpretation and exegesis; and (3) perform thoughtful theological reflection and dialogue with notable literary works.

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, which is outlined below in the assignment and assessment section. 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: 2116 pages of novel reading; 300 pages of critical text.

Atwood, Margaret. The Handmaid’s Tale. Anchor, 1998. ISBN: 978-0385490818, Pub. Price $15.95 [336 pp.]

Butler, Octavia E. Kindred. Beacon Press, 2004. ISBN: 978-0807083697, Pub. Price $16.00 [264 pp.]

Camus, Albert. The Stranger. Vintage, 1989. ISBN: 978-0679720201, Pub. Price $13.95 [123 pp.]

Daoud, Kamel. The Mersault Investigation. Other Press, 2015. ISBN: 978-1590517512, Pub. Price $14.95 [160 pp.]

Fitzgerald, F. Scott. The Great Gatsby. Simon & Schuster, 2004. ISBN: 978-0743273565, Pub. Price $16.00 [192 pp.]

Lewis, C. S. The Great Divorce. Harper One, 2015. ISBN: 978-0060652951, Pub. Price $14.99 [160 pp.]

Hammett, Dashiell. The Maltese Falcon. Vintage Crime/Black Lizard, 1989. ISBN: 978-0679722649, Pub. Price $14.95 [224 pp.]

Potok, Chaim. My Name is Asher Lev. Anchor, 2003. ISBN: 978-1400031047, Pub. Price $15.95 [369 pp.]

Vonnegut, Kurt. Slaughterhouse Five. Dial Press, 1999. ISBN: 978-0385333849, Pub. Price $17.00 [288 pp.]

Course Reader of selected critical material (Auerbach, Booth, Buechner, Chandler, Foster, Gadamer, Gardner, Gottschall, Riceour, Wood) Available on Canvas. [300 pp.]

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

2116 pp. of required fictional reading (novels) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #2 & 3] [75 hours]
300 pp. of required non-fictional critical/theological reading [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, 2 & 3] [20 hours].
Weekly PowerPoint presentations from the professor, discussing the novel and secondary readings for the week. These will be connected with weekly required forum posts. (20%) [10 hours].
250-word weekly forum posts (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2 & 3] [10 hours].
250-word weekly forum responses (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2 & 3] [10 hours].
A 1200-word essay discussing the relationship of Camus’ The Stranger and Daoud’s Mersault Investigation as it pertains to cultural dialogue and interpretation. (20%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1 & 2] [10 hours].
A research essay [3,000 words] on one of the fictional texts that has been read in the class. This paper will be an exegetical (interpretive) project and a theological reflection that takes into account the students’ own theological/faith tradition. The paper should incorporate the non-fictional source material of the class as well as other outside sources as appropriate to the novel. (40%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, & 3] [25 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None. [Auditors must participate in posts and responses, but essay assignments are optional.]

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the TH5 or C2 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Meets the interdisciplinary course requirement (IDPL) for the MACL in Integrative Studies.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.