Winter 2008/Pasadena
TC510
Taylor

TC510: THEOLOGY, POP CULTURE, AND THE EMERGING CHURCH. Barry Taylor.


DESCRIPTION: This course will focus on the intersections between theology, popular culture, and new forms of church emerging around the globe. The student will explore how popular culture has enabled the emergence of new incarnations of the Christian faith uniquely focused on meeting the needs of postmodern society. The class will focus on three main areas: (1) contemporary theologies which are engaging postmodernity and exegeting popular culture; (2) new-paradigm church expressions from around the globe (with particular emphasis on models in North America and Europe); (3) contemporary theories of the emerging global culture.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:


RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: New forms of church are appearing everywhere in response to the emerging global context. This class will equip those seeking to engage, or already at work in it, by providing a deepening understanding of the dynamic intersections between theology and popular culture as expressed in the emerging global context.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions. Classes will be lecture-driven with multimedia presentations and small group discussions.

REQUIRED READING:
Browning, Don S. A Fundamental Practical Theology. Fortress Press, 1996.

Hyman, Gavin. The Predicament of Postmodern Theology. Westminster Press, 2001 (U.K.: 2003).

McLaren, Brian. Everything Must Change. Zondervan, 2007.

Pagitt, Doug, and Tony Jones, eds. An Emerging Manifesto of Hope. Baker Books, 2007.

Rollins, Peter. How Not To Speak of God. Paraclete, 2006.

Skelton, Tracy. Culture and Global Change. Routledge, 1999.

RECOMMENDED READING:
Borg, Marcus, contributor. The Emerging Christian Way. Copperhouse, 2006.

Lynch, Gordon. After Religion: Generation X and the Search for Meaning. Darton Longman & Todd, 2002.

McGrath, Alister. The Future of Christianity. Blackwell, 2002 (U.K.: Routledge, 2001).

ASSIGNMENTS:
  1. Two three-page, typed and double-spaced book reviews from the required reading list.

  2. One two-page, typed and double-spaced book review from the recommended reading list.

  3. 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.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the interdisciplinary course requirement for the MACL in Integrative Studies; specialized requirements for the MA in Worship, Theology, and the Arts; and theology and culture requirements for the MA in Theology (Theology and Arts format).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (11/07)