Winter 2019/Online

TC581

Callaway

TC581: WORSHIP, THEOLOGY, AND THE ARTS TOUCHSTONE (4 Units: 160 Hours). Kutter D. Callaway.

DESCRIPTION: This course is the introductory course for all students entering Worship, Theology, and the Arts (WTA) concentrations at the master’s level. This course introduces the students in the WTA concentration to the methodology that will undergird their theological study of Christian worship, along with narrative, performing, and plastic arts. Beginning with Augustine’s philosophy of language and learning as introduced and developed in De Magistro and De Doctrina Christiana, and his assertion that all we have to communicate with are signs, words, and gestures, this course will explore methods of exegeting signs and gestures to supplement the exegesis of words. The course will be divided into modules, each one focusing on the application of this method to Christian worship and two art forms.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: A student successfully completing this course will (1) articulate the application of Augustine’s theory of communication to worship and the arts; (2) describe in general terms the history and theology of the arts in relation to the Christian faith; (3) describe in general terms the history and theology of Christian worship in relation to the arts; (4) apply the hermeneutic model of interpretation to worship and the arts in a cursory way; (5) complete an in-depth application of this hermeneutic model to one particular artistic expression or element of Christian worship in a specific cultural location.

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 (sometimes in the field) that promote active learning.

REQUIRED READING: 1,300 pages required.

Course Reader [approx. 310 pp.].

Dyson, Michael Eric. Mercy, Mercy Me: The Art, Loves, and Demons of Marvin Gaye. Basic Civitas Books, 2004. ISBN: 978-0465017706, Pub. Price $19.99, Kindle edition $11.99.[160 pp.]

Falsani, Cathleen. The Dude Abides: The Gospel According to the Coen Brothers. Zondervan, 2009. ISBN: 978-0310292463, Pub. Price $14.99. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [240 pp.].

Garcia-Rivera, Alejandro. A Wounded Innocence: Sketches for a Theology of Art. Liturgical Press, 2003. ISBN: 978-0814651124, Pub. Price $14.95. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [150 pp.].

González-Andrieu, Cecilia. Bridge to Wonder: Art as a Gospel of Beauty. Baylor University Press, 2012. ISBN: 978-1602583511, Pub. Price $24.95. Available as an e-book from the Fuller Library [200 pp.].

Levy, Sandra. Imagination and the Journey of Faith. Eerdmans, 2008. ISBN: 978-0802863010, Pub. Price $18.00 [100 pp.]. Kindle edition $9.99

*PLEASE NOTE: As a graduate level course that seeks a dialogue between theology and contemporary culture, this class may include visual, written, aural, and/or thematic content that might prove disturbing or offensive to some.

REQUIRED LISTENING:

Gaye, Marvin. What’s Going On. Motown Records, 1971. 35 minutes.

REQUIRED VIEWING:

Coen, Joel, and Ethan Coen, directors. True Grit. Paramount Pictures 2010. 110 minutes.

“Connection Lost,” Modern Family, S6 E16 (available on Amazon streaming, Hulu plus), 21 minutes.

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Course reading, 1,300 pages. [This assignment related to learning outcomes #1-5] [60 hours].
  2. Online class participation, which includes weekly lessons, video lectures, online material, and watching/listening to/reading various art forms each week. [This assignment related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3]. [20 hours].
  3. Weekly posts (250-400 words) reflecting on course material, and weekly responses (150-200 words) to classmates’ posts (20%) [This assignment related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3 and 4]. [20 hours].
  4. A 400-500 word synthesis paper on a worship service or artistic/cultural event you have attended (5%). [This assignment related to learning outcomes #1, 2, 3]. [5 hours].
  5. A 750-1,000 word reaction paper to Dr. González-Andrieu’s book and video lecture (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1 and 2]. [10 hours].
  6. A 1,000-1,500 word evaluation of the Coen brothers’ version of True Grit in light of Falsani’s book and the method taught for exegeting cultural artifacts in class (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes #1 and 4]. [10 hours].
  7. Watch the “Connection Lost” episode of Modern Family. Write a 750-1,000 word reflection paper on the relationship between technology, art/aesthetics, and community in the episode. (15%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2 and 3]. [10 hours].
  8. A 2,500-3,000 word synthesis paper approved by the instructor providing an in-depth application of the hermeneutic model learned in class to one particular artistic expression or element of Christian worship in a specific cultural location (30%). [This assignment related to learning outcome #5]. [25 hours].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Option to meet the TH5 or C2 requirement in the 120 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.