Fall 2018/Fuller Online

TC516

Fee

TC516: VISUAL ARTS AND THE CHRISTIAN (4 Units: 160 Hours). Maria Eugenia Fee.

DESCRIPTION: This is an introductory course that practices viewing the visual arts through a Christian perspective. 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 in the West that includes post colonial critique through art, hence also deals with (3) the role of the arts in the wider community and in worship. Through 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 a visual/aesthetic dimension of life—with respect to its value for worship and witness.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students who successfully complete this course will (1) understand ways possible relationships between theology, art and worship. (2) Engage with artworks analytically and affectively, (3) evaluate the role of the arts in one’s worship practices, (4) explore theological frameworks for engaging with art, and (5) integrate this with the student’s own worship and artistic and cultural practices.

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: 891 pp. [book pages], 124 pp. [eReserves], total 1015 pp. [there are additional visual text].

DeBoer, Lisa. Visual Arts in the Worshipping Church. Eerdmans, 2016. ISBN: 978-0802869517, Pub. Price $24.00 [220 pp.]

hooks, bell. Art on My Mind: Visual Politics. The New Press, 1995. ISBN: 978-1565842632, Pub. Price $17.00 [170 pp.]

Miles, Margaret. Image as Insight: Visual Understanding in Western Christianity and Secular Culture. Wipf and Stock, 2006. ISBN: 978-1597529020, Pub. Price $27.00 [151 pp.]

Pinder, Kimberly. Painting the Gospel: Black Public Art and Religion in Chicago. University of Illinois, 2016. ISBN: 978-0252081439, Pub. Price $29.95 [200 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.]

eReserves readings [124 pp.]:

William Dyrness, “Reflecting Theologically on the Visually Arts,” (87-10) in Visual Faith: Art, Theology and Worship in Dialogue.

Josef Sorett, Spirit in the Dark: A Religious History of Racial Aesthetics, Introduction (1-18) and The Church and the Negro Spirit. (19-65). Oxford University Press, 2016.

Barbara Holmes, Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church. Chapter 7, “At the Crossroads: Secular Reclamations of the Contemplative Life,” (169-183). Fortress Press, 2004.

Willie James Jenning, “The Aesthetic Struggle and Ecclesial Vision,” Chapter 12 (163-185), Black Practical Theology. Baylor University Press, 2015.

Cecilia González-Andrieu, “In Search of Wonder,” Chaper 3, (25-44), Bridge to Wonder: Art as A Gospel of Beauty. Baylor University Press, 2012.

Janet Walton, “Principles for a Partnership between Artists and the Church,” chapter 5 (111-119), Art and Worship. Liturgical Press, 1991.

Nicolas Dumit Estevez, “Praying Aloud, in Spanish, in the South Bronz,”), 69-87. Christianity and Culture in the City: A Postcolonial Approach, ed. Samuel Cruz. Lexington Books, 2013.

Art as text:

Videos from Art 21:

Do Ho Suh: place making

Carrie Mae Weems, Grace Notes, Memorial/lament

Theaster Gates: Redemption and stewardship

Immigrant Movement: human flourishing

Kim Soo Ja: empathy/contemplation

Doris Salcedo

REQUIRED FIELD WORK: 2.5 hours for visiting an art museum and church event.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: The course grade will depend on five elements:

  1. Weekly lessons that are usually in the form of transcribed lectures with PowerPoint slides. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1, #2 #4]. [20 hours].
  2. 250-word weekly initial forum posts made in response to course readings posted by Wednesday of each week (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, #2, #3, #5] [10 hours].
  3. Weekly reply posts made on Friday and following Monday of each week, combined for 250 words (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, #2, #3, #5] [10 hours].
  4. 1000 pp. of required reading and total of 1.5 hour viewing videos on artists [60 hours].
  5. Museum, gallery, or art event field trip and analysis of church service or event in conjunction with reading post [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, #2, #3, #5] [2.5 hours].
  6. 1,250-word reflection and comparative paper between two works of art (25%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, #2, #5] [7.5 hours].
  7. Participation in an art-making project with a short reflection (15%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, #2, #5] [20 hours].
  8. 3,000-word final research paper with the option of making a final art project with an accompanying paper that is reduced in length (30%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1 #2, #4, #5] [30 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the C2 or TH5 requirement in the 120 MDiv Program. Option to meet the C2 requirement in the 80 MATM Program (Fall 2015). Meets the culture (CULT) requirement in Cultural Literacy for MA programs; meets the MACL in Integrative Studies requirement for an interdisciplinary course (IDPL). Option to meet the MIN1 requirement in the 144 MDiv Program.

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.