Fuller Online
TC521: Winter 2010
Johnston/Basselin
TC521: THEOLOGY AND
CONTEMPORARY LITERATURE (4 units).
Robert K. Johnston, Professor of Theology and Culture
Online Facilitation by
Timothy Basselin, Adjunct Assistant Professor in Theology and Culture.
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 Kesey, Updike, O'Connor, DeVries,
Potok, Morrison, Robbins, Kingsolver, and Lamott, 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.
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.
RELEVANCE FOR 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.
COURSE FORMAT:
The class will be conducted on the Internet
using a 10-week lesson program aligned with FullerÕs academic calendar. The class will have weekly lectures and discussions. One
book and an accompanying critical essay will be read and discussed each week.
REQUIRED READING:
á
DeVries, Peter. Blood of the Lamb. Boston, MA: Little, Brown and Company, 1961
á
Kesey, Ken. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's
Nest. New York, NY: Penguin, 1962
á
Kingsolver,
Barbara. Animal Dreams. New
York, NY: Harper Collins, 1993
á
Lamott, Anne. All New People. Washington, DC: Counterpoint, 1989
á
_____________
Traveling Mercies. New York,
NY: Anchor Books, 2000
á
Morrison,
Toni. Beloved. New York, NY:
Penguin, 1998
á
O'Connor,
Flannery. A Good Man is Hard to Find. Orlando, FL: Harcourt, Brace and Co., 1977
á
Potok, Chaim. My
Name is Asher Lev. 1972
á
Robbins,
Tom. Another Roadside Attraction.
New York, NY: Bantam Books, 2004
á
Updike,
John. Pigeon Feathers. Ballantine Books, 1996
á
Course
Reader of selected critical essays (Morrison, Eliot, Johnston, Lewis, O'Connor,
Hansen, TeSelle, hooks, Gunn, Nussbaum). Available in
online class
ASSIGNMENTS:
1.
Weekly threaded discussions that interact with
the reading materials (30%), and with the lectures (15%)
2.
Four to five-page critique of Flannery O'Connor's
"A Good Man is Hard to Find" (20%)
3.
Nine to ten-page paper on Lamott's
two books (35%).
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
Meets the interdisciplinary course requirement
for the MACL in Integrative Studies; 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; Ministry Focus Elective for MA
in Global Leadership program.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.
This
ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification.
Updated October 2009