DESCRIPTION: This is a CATS doctoral seminar (for which students at the 800
level will register Spring and Summer, TC860A and TC860B), open to a limited
number of master's level students (TC560) by permission of the instructor. This
seminar is designed to encourage students to develop an intentional and
critical methodology for interpreting and engaging 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, first of all, to focus on particular cultural "texts" and
develop strategies of reading and interpretation that are informed by biblical
and theological perspectives.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: By the end of this course students will be familiar with
some of the major theological perspectives on culture; in terms of these will
develop their own theological and critical framework; and finally will employ
this framework in interpreting and engaging theological texts and
trends.
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: