Summer 2004/Pasadena
Two-week Intensive: July 19-30
TC522
Kidder
TC522: THEOLOGY AND CONTEMPORARY CHRISTIAN POETRY. Annemarie Kidder.
DESCRIPTION:
- This course defines and explores various genres of Christian poetry
of largely the twentieth century along the themes of Christian theology,
including the person of Jesus Christ, suffering, death, the resurrection,
salvation, discipleship, social justice, and service. Genres include the
narrative poem, protest poem, reflection and meditation, object or imagist
poem, and hymnody. Poets include Daniel Berrigan, Wendell Berry, Scott Cairns,
David Citino, Annie Dillard, Fred Pratt Green, Edward Hirsch, Denise Levertov,
Rainer Maria Rilke, Thomas Troeger, Richard Wilbur.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- Poetry, much like narrative, is a prime vehicle in communicating
and expressing religious faith and theological thought. In a postmodern world
that questions or rejects the Christian faith, the clear and fresh
communicating of the Gospel is of prime importance for the believer's personal
growth and the revitalization of the church. Contemporary Christian poetry
provides new images and relevant insights on theological concepts that are
helpful in both private and corporate worship.
COURSE FORMAT:
- The class will meet daily for four hours for a two-week period. In
the first week, we will define Christian poetry, give a historic overview of
the church's use of poetry, and introduce students to the principles of reading
and interpreting poetry; it will also provide an overview of various poetic
genres. In the second week we will explore some themes of Christian poetry,
such as the church's liturgical year, the life of Jesus, and the life of the
Christian, along with theological key tenets of the Christian faith.
REQUIRED READING:
- Impastato, David, ed. Upholding Mystery: An Anthology of
Contemporary Christian Poetry. Oxford University Press, 1997.
- Rilke, Rainer Maria. The Book of Hours: Prayers to a Lowly God.
Trans. Annemarie S. Kidder. Northwestern University Press, 2001.
- Rosenthal, P. The Poets' Jesus: Representations at the End of a
Millennium. Oxford Univ. Press, 2000.
- Troeger, T. H. Borrowed Light: Hymn Texts, Prayers, and Poems.
Oxford University Press, 1994.
- Course Reader.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Divine Inspiration: The Life of Jesus in World Poetry. Ed.
Robert Atwan, George Dardess, Peggy Rosenthal. Oxford University Press, 1998.
- The Enlightened Heart: An Anthology of Sacred Poetry. Ed. S.
Mitchell. HarperCollins, 1993.
- Hirsch, Edward. How to Read a Poem and Fall in Love With Poetry.
Harcourt, 1999.
- Mitchell, Rosemary Catalano and Gail Anderson Ricciuti. Birthings and
Blessings: Liberating Worship Services for the Inclusive Church. Crossroad,
1992.
- Rosenthal, P. Praying the Gospels through Poetry: Lent through
Easter. St. Anthony Messenger, 2002.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- The course grade will depend on preparatory reading for each class
and class participation (20%). Participants will also write two papers: (1) a
5-7 page essay on a poetic genre of choice, along with 2-3 representative
examples of contemporary Christian poetry (30%); and (2) a 10-15 page analysis
paper of a twentieth-century, contemporary poet that shows the relevance of the
poet's work to particular aspects of the Christian faith (50%), due August
20.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM:
- Elective; meets M.A.C.L. in Integrative Studies interdisciplinary
requirement (IDPL).
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.