DESCRIPTION: This course will explore (1) modern and postmodern attitudes toward the "spiritual/transcendent/God" found in selected American literature and (2) a variety of means for theological dialogue with these works. Writings by Kesey, Updike, O'Connor, DeVries, Potok, Morrison, Robbins, Kingsolver, and Lamott, as well as selected essays in critical theory will be read. While debunking or listening, symbolizing or secularizing, arguing or affirming, American fiction over the last fifty years is often found interacting with the religious/spiritual currents that pervade our culture. As such, it invites dialogue from a theological perspective.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Preparation for ministry often wrongly assumes students possess skills in cultural analysis and interaction. This course helps students read their "culture" by having them read in their culture. In the process it provides tools and insight for engaged, effective ministry.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will be given the opportunity (1) to develop skills in cultural analysis and interaction by engaging in literary interpretation, (2) to explore possible theological approaches to the reading of literature, (3) to consider how literature might be a resource for "reading culture," for spiritual development and discipleship, and for ministry.

COURSE FORMAT: Discussion and lecture. One book and an accompanying critical essay will be read and discussed each week. With enrollment limited to forty, students will be asked for their active participation in class discussion and small groups. Class meets once a week for a three-and-a-half-hour session.

REQUIRED READING:

Buechner, Frederick. Godric: The Novel. New York: HarperCollins, 1980. ISBN: 0-06-061162-6. List Price $14.00.

DeVries, Peter. Blood of the Lamb. Boston: Little, Brown and Company, 1961. ISBN-13: 978-0226143880. List price $14.00.

Kesey, Ken. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. New York: Penguin, 1962. ISBN-13: 978-0141181226. List Price $15.00.

Kingsolver, Barbara. Animal Dreams. New York: Harper Collins, 1993. ISBN-13: 978-0060921149. List Price $14.99.

Lamott, Anne. All New People. Washington, DC: Counterpoint, 1989. ISBN-13: 978-1582430546. List Price $13.95.

_____________ Traveling Mercies. New York: Anchor Books, 2000. ISBN-13: 978-0385496094. List Price $15.00.

O'Connor, Flannery. A Good Man is Hard to Find. Orlando, FL: Harcourt, Brace and Co., 1977. ISBN-13: 978-0156364652. List Price $13.95.

Potok, Chaim. My Name is Asher Lev. 1972. ISBN-13: 978-1400031047. List Price $14.95.

Robbins, Tom. Another Roadside Attraction. New York: Bantam Books, 2004. ISBN-13: 978-0553349481. List Price $15.00.

Updike, John. Pigeon Feathers. Ballantine Books, 1996. ISBN-13: 978-0449912256. List Price $14.95.

Course Reader of selected critical essays (Morrison, Eliot, Johnston, Lewis, O'Connor, Hansen, TeSelle, hooks, Gunn, Nussbaum). Available on Moodle.

1. Short précis of each critical essay (10%)

2. One or two class presentation(s) on a selected novel/critical essay plus pop quizzes (30%)

3. Four- to five-page critique of Flannery O'Connor's A Good Man is Hard to Find (20%)

4. A nine- to ten-page paper on Lamott's two books (40%)