Winter 2004/Pasadena
ST571
Detweiler
ST571: THEOLOGY AND POP CULTURE. Craig Detweiler.
DESCRIPTION:
- This course will engage students in a two-way dialogue between pop
culture and theology, with particular emphasis upon music, movies, TV, art,
fashion, and sports. Students will develop a biblical, theological and
historical understanding of these art forms and a critical understanding of the
advertising, consumerism and celebrity that drives pop culture.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Ministry in a postmodern context must contend with the rising
impact of technology and entertainment. This course will equip students to
think critically and theologically about pop culture. Special attention will
given to finding God in and through pop cultural art forms.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The class will utilize lectures, discussions, pop cultural forms
and student input. The class will meet for three-hour sessions, one evening per
week.
REQUIRED READING/VIEWING:
- Dark, David, Everyday Apocalypse. Brazos Press, 2002.
- Detweiler, Craig and Barry Taylor. A Matrix of Meanings. Baker
Academic, 2003.
- One book tied to the art form/discipline chosen for students' research
project.
- Current issues of magazines, newspapers, online publications.
- Selected videos, recordings, shows listed in the course syllabus including
one movie, three TV shows, an art gallery and/or fashion show, a sporting
event.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Course grade will be based upon:
- Class attendance and participation. 10%
- A weekly report/journal entry/response to a particular pop cultural form in
which students looked closer and heard/glimpsed/missed God. 30%
- Two 2-page book reviews. 20%
- A 12- to 15-page research paper that concentrates upon one particular
postmodern trend and one pop cultural form. Special emphasis will be placed
upon the practical ministry application of the research (a sermon series, a
Bible study guide, a Young Life talk, an outreach event). 40%
PREREQUISITES:
- None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Fulfills requirement for M.A. Theology & Arts, M.A. Worship,
Theology & Arts, M.Div. Worship, Theology and the Arts. Elective for M.Div.
and M.A. in Theology.
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- None.