Summer 2013/Pasadena
TC531
Taylor
TC531: POSTMODERN THEOLOGY, FILM AND YOUTH CULTURE. Barry Taylor.
DESCRIPTION: The course will engage the results of the postmodern shift theologically by studying one of adolescents' primary sources of meaning: the movies. This course will investigate some of the social, ethical, and psychological implications of postmodern film upon theology, and in turn seek a theological engagement with these movies.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: Postmodern ministry must engage audiences barraged by electronic overload and largely cut off from traditional, Biblical understandings of God. This course will sharpen the skills of tomorrow's ministers in analyzing culture, "reading" a film, and forging theological responses. Special emphasis will be given to recent movies, particularly the edgy, spiritually-charged visions of emerging filmmakers.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Through viewing of selected films, interactive discussion, and class lectures, students will (1) understand therelationship between popular culture, theology, and youth; (2) explore the contours of postmodern theology and its intersections with youth culture and needs; and (3) be able to appreciate the dynamics affecting contemporary ministry today.
COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet daily for four-hour sessions for two weeks. Interactive. The class will meet daily for four-hour sessions. During each session, students will (1) discuss the film(s); (2) grapple with the filmmaker’s intent; (3) utilize various critical film theories; and (4) consider possible theological responses.
REQUIRED READING:
Anker, Roy M. Catching Light: Looking for God in the Movies. Eerdmans, 2005. ISBN: 978-0802827951, Pub. Price $30.00 [412 pp.].
Detweiler, Craig, and Barry Taylor. A Matrix of Meanings. Baker, 2003. ISBN: 978-0801024177, Pub. Price $28.00 [352 pp.].
Jones, Tony. Postmodern Youth Ministry. Zondervan, 2000. ISBN: 978-0310238171, Pub. Price $19.99 [240 pp.].
Quart, Alissa. Branded: The Buying and Selling of Teenagers. Basic Books, 2004. ISBN: 978-0738208626, Pub. Price $15.95 [272 pp.].
Storey, John, ed. Cultural Theory and Popular Culture: A Reader. University of Georgia Press, 2009. ISBN: 978-1405874090, Pub. Price $42.33 [280 pp.].
Vanhoozer, Kevin, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Postmodern Theology. Cambridge University Press, 2003. ISBN: 978-0521793957, $31.99 [312 pp.].
Ward, Graham, ed. The Postmodern God. Blackwell, 1997. ISBN: 978-0631201410, Pub. Price $72.95 [420 pp.].
Film to be viewed prior to the first class:Fight Club.
Films to be viewed during course: The Fountain, Josie and the Pussycats, Donnie Darko, In this World, Lord of the Rings, The Matrix Reloaded, Memento, Saved, Spirited Away, Thirteen. PLEASE NOTE: FILM VIEWING MAY BE ADJUSTED WITH CLASS ENROLLMENT AND GLOBAL CONTEXTS.
ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:
Journaling (20%).
Two three-page, typed and double-spaced book reviews from the required reading list (15%).
Two three-page, typed and double-spaced film reviews from the viewing list (15%).
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 (50%).
Guidelines for the reviews and journaling assignments will be given on the first day of class.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the culture requirement in Cultural Literacy for MA programs (CULT); meets the MACL in Integrative Studies requirement for an interdisciplinary course (IDPL); meets specialized requirements for the MA in Worship, Theology, and the Arts.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.