DESCRIPTION: This course will offer students a visual theology and the opportunity to learn the fundamental skills relating to digital video production as a tool for ministry. It will also introduce various related forms of media (podcasting, blogging) in ministry.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: The twenty-first-century church is evolving into a multimedia ministry model that requires leaders to understand and appreciate how to incorporate technology as a ministry and outreach tool. This course will introduce the basic skills relating to media and technology in ministry.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: The student will develop a theology of media and demonstrate its applicability through development of 1 to 3 minute videos for use in church ministry. Students will learn the basic skills of script development, visual aesthetics, and digital editing for use in a ministry context. The student will come to understand the collaborative processes of video production.

COURSE FORMAT: The format is designed to allow for the creative time needed to develop a theologically driven media project as well as the post-production time necessary to complete a project. The class will meet for 9 sessions (Mondays 11am-2:50pm) on the following dates: Jan. 3, 10, 31, Feb. 7, 14, 21, 28; March 7, 14.

REQUIRED READING:

Elsheimer, Janice. The Creative Call: An Artist's Response to the Way of the Spirit. Shaw, 2001.

Mamet, David. On Directing Film. Penguin. 1991.

Vanhoozer, Kevin J. The Drama of Doctrine: A Canonical-Linguistic Approach to Christian Theology. Westminster John Knox, 2005.

Online resources available at www.sermonspice.com; www.worshiphousemedia.com; www.damah.com; www.theworkofthepeople.com; and www.highwayvideo.com.

Baker, Johnny, and Doug Gay. Alternative Worship. Baker, 2004.

Balthasar, Hans Urs von. Theo-Drama: Theological Dramatic Theory--Prologomena. Ignatius, 1988.

Noland, Rory. The Heart of the Artist. Zondervan, 1999.

Sample, Tex. The Spectacle of Worship in a Wired World. Abingdon, 1998.

Wilson, Len. Digital Storytellers: The Art of Communicating the Gospel. Abingdon, 2002.

Vanhoozer, Kevin J. Everyday Theology. How to Read Cultural Text and Interpret Trends. Baker Academic, 2007

1. Complete all assigned reading and viewing (10%).

2. Two-page reviews of Vanhoozer's Drama of Doctrine and Elsheimer's Creative Call (20%).

3. Participate in the writing, shooting, and editing of one group production project (30%).

4. Write, shoot, and edit one individual production project (40%).