Winter 2004/Pasadena
ST860/560
Dyrness
ST860/560: THEOLOGY AND CULTURE. William A. Dyrness.
DESCRIPTION:
- This doctoral seminar, open only to a very limited number of
master's level students by permission of the instructor, is designed to
encourage students to develop an intentional and critical methodology for
interpreting cultural products (i.e. literary texts, films, music etc.). In the
broadest sense the course is designed to develop cultural literacy from a
Christian perspective. The approach will be, firstly, to focus on particular
cultural `texts' and develop strategies of reading and interpretation that are
informed by biblical and theological perspectives.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Ministry is now carried on in a world with a growing awareness of
culture and ethnic identity. Commitment to these realities often takes on a
kind of idolatry that threatens to distort a person's understanding of reality,
and accordingly their interpretation of Christianity. Christians need to
understand both the positive and negative roles that culture plays in helping
the believer understand and engage their culture in the light of
Scripture.
COURSE FORMAT:
- Classes will meet weekly for a three-hour session, and will be
conducted in a seminar format.
REQUIRED READING:
- Bunyan, John. Pilgrim's Progress. (1684).
- Dante Aligieri. The Purgatorio. Trans. John Ciardi. Mentor Classic,
1961.
- Dyson, Michael Eric. Holler if you Hear Me. BasicCivitas, 2001.
- Humphrey, Caroline. Sacred Architecture. Thorson, 2003 [1997].
- Niebuhr, H. Richard. Christ and Culture. Harper, 1951.
- Paul Schrader. Transcendental Style in Film. New York: Da Capo,
1972.
- Stegner, Wallace. The Spectator Bird. Penguin, 1990 [1976].
- Reader available in the bookstore.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- Grading will be based primarily on a major paper which will be
first presented in class and, on the basis of discussion in class, rewritten
before submission. Participation in class discussion will be a secondary factor
in the final grade, especially as evidence of having done the reading.
PREREQUISITES:
- For master's level students, permission of the instructor.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Methods core for Ph.D. students in Theology and Culture. Elective
for master's students.
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- No.