Winter 2015/Colorado

TC588

Callaway

TC588: ENGAGING INDEPENDENT FILMS (4 units: 161 hours). Kutter Callaway

DESCRIPTION: The course will engage postmodern storytelling, public discourse, and globalization theologically by studying one of our primary, culture shaping forces: the movies. This course will investigate some of the social, religious, aesthetic, ethical, and psychological implications of international, independent film upon theology. It will in turn seek to engage in a theological dialogue/critique with these movies in order to explore the kind of Gospel demonstration and articulation demanded by fiercely “glocal” contexts that are increasingly defined by a “spiritual-but-not-religious” ethos.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Upon successful completion of this course, students will have demonstrated the ability to (1) articulate the relationship between theories and practices for sympathetic engagement with culture as expressed in independent film and independent film festivals; (2) apply skills in cultural analysis and interaction when viewing film; (3) grapple with the filmmaker’s intent and utilize various critical film theories while discussing the social, political, and economic implications of these film(s); and (4) consider possible theological/apologetic approaches for Gospel demonstration and articulation in public spheres.

COURSE FORMAT: Hybrid/online. This course will be conducted 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. The class will meet daily in conjunction with the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah, January 26-February 1, 2015. During that week, course content will include background lectures from the instructor, panel discussions, collective film viewing and debriefings, and guided discussion groups. All other course content and interaction will take place online, which will include weekly group discussions, readings, and assignments throughout the other nine weeks of the quarter.

REQUIRED VIEWING: Whiplash (Chazelle, 2014) – To be watched prior to the festival as a common film for discussion. Ten to fifteen films from the 2015 Sundance Film Festival including several world premieres.

REQUIRED READING: Approximately 1300-1250 pages of reading, depending on the reading track.

All students should read the following books and articles:

Johnston, Robert K. God’s Wider Presence: Reconsidering General Revelation. Baker Academic, 2014. ISBN: 978-0801049453, Pub. Price $22.99 [256 pp.].

Johnston, Robert, Detweiler, Craig, and Taylor, Barry, eds. Don’t Stop Believin’: Pop Culture and Religion from Ben-Hur to Zombies. WJK, 2012. ISBN: 978-0664235055, Pub. Price $14.99 [215 pp.].

Volf, Miroslav. A Public Faith: How Followers of Christ Should Serve the Common Good. Brazos Press, 2011. ISBN: 978-1587432989, Pub. Price $14.99 [192 pp.].

Class reader (approx. 150 pp.): selected chapters including Jurgen Moltmann, Experiences in Theology (chapter on Natural Theology, pp 64-86), Kenneth Turan, Sundance to Sarajevo. (chapter on Sundance, pp 31-48), bell hooks, and selected articles on past Sundance films found on the Reel Spirituality website.

And Either:

Johnston, Robert. Reel Spirituality. 2nd ed. Baker, 2006. ISBN: 978-0801031878, Pub. Price $25.00 [350pp.];

OR:

Callaway, Kutter. Scoring Transcendence: Contemporary Film Music as Religious Experience. Baylor University Press, 2013. ISBN: 978-1602585355, Pub. Price $29.95 [250 pp.];

OR:

Detweiler, Craig. Into the Dark: Seeing the Sacred in the Top Films of the 21st Century, Baker, 2008, ISBN: 978-0801035920, Pub. Price $24.99 [320 pp.].

*For the final project students will be asked to select a theme in a number of the Sundance films they viewed and read an additional 250 pp. of selected books and articles related to that theme. The following books (or approved substitutes) may be chosen:

Brueggemann, Walter, The Prophetic Imagination, Augsburg Press, 2001. ISBN: 978-0800632878, Pub. Price $24.99 [155 pp.].

Dyrness, William, Poetic Theology: God and the Poetics of Everyday Life, 2011. ISBN: 978-0802865786, Pub. Price $24.99 [338 pp.].

Johnston, Robert. Useless Beauty. Wipf & Stock, 2004. ISBN: 978-1610978293, Pub. Price $23.00. [205pp.].

Marin, Andrew. Love is an Orientation: Elevating the Conversation with the Gay Community. IVP, 2009. ISBN: 978-0830836260, Pub. Price $19.99 [204pp.].

McFague, Sallie, Life Abundant, Fortress Press, 2000. ISBN: 978-0800632694 , Pub. Price $19.99 [268pp.].

Ramachandra, V. Subverting Global Myths: Theology & the Public Issues Shaping our World, IVP, 2008. ISBN: 978-0830828852, Pub. Price $24.99 [292 pp.].

Roberts, J. Deotis. Liberation and Reconciliation: A Black Theology. 2nd Ed. Westminster John Knox, 2005. ISBN: 978-0664229658, Pub. Price $24.99 [120pp.].

Rollins, Peter. How (Not) to Speak of God, Paraclete Press, 2006 . ISBN: 978-1557255051, Pub. Price $19.99 [144 pp.].

____________. Insurrection: To Believe is Human To Doubt, Divine. Howard Books, 2011. ISBN: 978-1451609004, Pub. Price $19.99 [208 pp.].

Taylor, Barry. Entertainment Theology: New-Edge Spirituality in a Digital Democracy, Baker Academic, 2008. ISBN: 978-0801032370, Pub. Price $24.99[249 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

  1. Online class participation, which includes required readings, weekly threaded discussions reflecting on course content (200-300 word min.), and weekly response to classmates’ posts (100-150 words) (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3, and 4]. [90 hours total; 7 hours of reading/week, 1 hour of online activity/week, and 1 hour of posting/week].

  2. Two 2-page book reviews of (1) Johnston OR Callaway OR Detweiler and (2) Volf (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 3, and 4]. [5 hours; 2.5 hours each preparing and writing].

  3. One 2-3 page paper integrating student’s Sundance experience and a theology of general revelation (15%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, and 4]. [5 hours preparing and writing].

  4. Viewing and journaling on all films. (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2 and 3]. [10 hours; 1 hour/week].

  5. Public Theology Assignment that explores and encourages Gospel demonstration and articulation in a public sphere within the student’s local context. (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3, and 4]. [5 hours preparing and writing].

  6. A 10-12 page Final project/paper rooted in field research on Sundance films in dialogue with the biblical text and theological tradition. Papers will seek to achieve three goals: (1) offer a film critical analysis/description of a Sundance film(s); (2) construct a possible theological and biblical approach for engaging with our contemporary culture in light of the film(s); (3) include a proposed plan for how this kind of cultural engagement might allow for Gospel articulation and demonstration in the student’s life and/or ministry (e.g. a film discussion night, a film festival, sermon series, a Sunday School series, a set of Young Life talks, a set of InterVarsity meetings, etc.). (30%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1, 2, 3, and 4]. [25 hours preparing & writing].

  7. Class Participation at Sundance Film Festival [21 hours of class time].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: M.Div.: Elective; MAT (pre-2007): Theology/History; requirement; MAT/MACL: Culture requirement. C2, C3.

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.

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