Winter 2012/Pasadena
TC860/560
Dyrness
TC860/560: THEOLOGY AND CULTURE SEMINAR. William A. Dyrness.
DESCRIPTION: This is a CATS doctoral seminar, open to a limited number of
master's level students 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.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND 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.
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.
COURSE FORMAT: Classes will meet weekly for a three-hour session, and will be
conducted in a seminar format.
REQUIRED READING:
- Bunyan, John. Pilgrim's Progress [1684]. Many editions.
Penguin: ISBN: 0141439718, $11.00.
- Dante Divine Comedy [1320]. Many editions. Oxford Classics: ISBN:
0199535647, $17.95.
- Dyrness, William. The Earth Is God's. Orbis, 1997; repr. Wipf &
Stock. ISBN: 1592447953, $24.00.
- Lanier, Jaron. You Are Not a Gadget: A Manifesto. New York: Vintage,
2011. ISBN 978-0-307-38997-8, $15.00.
- Schleiermacher, Friedrich. Speeches on Religion. Cambridge
University Press, 1996. ISBN: 0521479754, $33.99.
- Schrader, Paul. Transcendental Style in Film. New York: Da Capo,
1972. ISBN: 0306803356, $15.00.
- Stassen, Glen H., D. M. Yeager, and John Howard Yoder. Authentic
Transformation: A New Vision of Christ and Culture. Abingdon, 1996. ISBN:
0687022738, $28.00.
- Taylor, Charles. A Secular Age. Harvard University Press, 2007.
ISBN: 0674026764, $46.00.
- Thiong'o, Ngugi wa. The River Between. Oxford:, 1965. ISBN:
0435905481, $15.95.
- Tracy, David. The Analogical Imagination. New York: Crossroads,
1981. ISBN: 0824506944, $39.95.
- Ward, Graham. Cultural Transformation and Religious Practice.
Cambridge University Press, 2005. ISBN: 0521540747, $37.95.
- Course Reader.
- RECOMMENDED READING:
- Recommended reading will be listed in the syllabus.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT: Grading will be based on three class presentations
and a major paper based on presentations in class and, rewritten on the basis
of discussion in class (MA students 18-20 pp.; PhD students 25-30 pp.).
Participation in class discussion will be a secondary factor in the final
grade, especially as evidence of having done the reading.
PREREQUISITES: For master's level students, permission of the instructor.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Methods core for PhD students in Theology and
Culture. Elective for master's students.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (October 2011)