Fuller Online
TC531: Winter 2010
Taylor

TC531: POSTMODERN THEOLOGY, FILM AND YOUTH CULTURE. Barry Taylor.

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DESCRIPTION:

The course will engage the results of the postmodern shift theologically by studying one of adolescents' primary sources of meaning: the movies. This course will investigate some of the social, ethical, and psychological implications of postmodern film upon theology, and in turn seek a theological engagement with these movies.

COURSE OBJECTIVES/LEARNING OUTCOMES:

Through viewing of selected films, interactive discussion, and class lectures students will (1) understand the relationship between popular culture, theology, and youth, (2) explore the contours of postmodern theology and its intersections with youth culture and needs (3) be able to appreciate the dynamics affecting contemporary ministry today.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:

Postmodern ministry must engage audiences barraged by electronic overload and largely cut off from traditional, Biblical understandings of God. This course will sharpen the skills of tomorrow's ministers in analyzing culture, "reading" a film, and forging theological responses. Special emphasis will be given to recent movies, particularly the edgy, spiritually-charged visions of emerging filmmakers.

COURSE FORMAT:

The class will be conducted on the Internet using a 10-week lesson program aligned with Fuller’s academic calendar. Each week, students and the instructor will interact with the material and each other through journaling, threaded discussions, and web-based research. Lectures for each lesson will be available online.

REQUIRED READING AND VIEWING:

Anker, Roy M. Catching Light; Looking for God in the Movies. Eerdmans, 2004.

Detweiler, Craig and Barry Taylor. A Matrix of Meanings. Baker, 2003.

Jones, Tony. Postmodern Youth Ministry. Zondervan, 2000.

Quart, Alissa. Branded: The Buying and Selling of Teenagers. Basic Books, 2003.

Storey, John, ed. Cultural Theory and Popular Culture: A Reader. University of Georgia Press, 1998.

Vanhoozer, Kevin, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Postmodern Theology. Cambridge University Press, 2003.

Ward, Graham, ed. The Postmodern God. Blackwell, 1997.

Film to be viewed prior to the first class: Fight Club.

Films to be viewed during course: The Fountain, Joisie and the Pussycats,Donnie Darko, In this World, Lord of the Rings, The Matrix Reloaded, Memento, Saved, Spirited Away, Thirteen.(PLEASE NOTE: THAT FILM VIEWING MAY BE ADJUSTED WITH CLASS ENROLLMENT AND GLOBAL CONTEXTS)

RECOMMENDED READING:

Baker, Jonny and Doug Gay, with Jenny Brown. Alternative Worship. SPCK, 2003.

Johnston, Robert. Reel Spirituality. Baker, 2000.

Lynch, Gordon. Theology and Popular Culture. Darton, Longman & Todd, 2006.

Ward, Peter. Liquid Church. Paternoster Press, 2002.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Weekly threaded discussions (25%) and journaling, (10%)

2. Two three-page, typed and double-spaced book reviews from the required reading list. (10%)

3. One two-page, typed and double-spaced book review from the recommended reading list. (5%)

4. A final paper, fifteen to twenty pages in length on a topic to be approved by the class instructor, related to issues raised by class material. Topics need to be discussed and approved by class instructor by Week 4 of class schedule. (50%)

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:

Meets the interdisciplinary course requirement for the M.A.C.L. in Integrative Studies; specialized requirements for the M.A. in Worship, Theology, and the Arts; and theology and culture requirements for the M.A. in Theology (Theology and Arts format). Ministry Focus Studies in the MAGL program

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification.

October 2009