Fall 2013/Pasadena

TC530

Johnston

TC530: THEOLOGY AND FILM. Robert K. Johnston

DESCRIPTION: This course will consider a theology of culture by focusing on one particular aspect: theology and film. The course will (1) view, discuss, and analyze a multicultural and global selection of films, (2) provide the student methodological and critical perspectives for engaging culture, both from the humanities and the social sciences, and (3) explore theological and biblical perspectives foundational to theology and film criticism.

SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND MINISTRY: This course will help students develop skills in cultural analysis and interaction by providing a critical and theological framework for viewing cinema. While such engagement is not sufficient for effective ministry, it is a necessary part of that task.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will be given the opportunity to develop the tools to (1) describe and assess contemporary cultural trends as embodied in the media; (2) engage appreciatively and critically in film interpretation; (3) explore possible theological and biblical approaches to our contemporary culture; (4) articulate something of the presence and purposes of God in human culture; and (5) consider their own use of film in their Christian discipleship and ministry.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet weekly for three-and-a-half-hour sessions. Discussion, small groups, and lecture. Films will be assigned for viewing prior to each class along with a range of critical reading. During each class, students will typically (1) discuss the movies, (2) consider aspects of the nature of film and/or theology, (3) use selected critical and theological approaches to culture, and (4) enter into theological criticism with the film. Occasional outside resource persons will be utilized.

REQUIRED VIEWING AND READING:

Fifteen films:Crimes and Misdemeanors; Stranger than Fiction; Crash; Moulin Rouge (Australian); American Beauty; Little Miss Sunshine; Okuribito (Departures, Japanese); Slumdog Millionaire (English/Indian); Water (Indian); Atonement (English); Magnolia; Decalogue I (Polish); The Adjustment Bureau; The Tree of Life; To the Wonder.

The following texts:

Ecclesiastes.

Barsotti, Catherine, and R. Johnston. Finding God in the Movies. Baker, 2004. ISBN: 978-0801064814, Pub. Price $22.00 [320 pp.].

Boorstin, Jon. Making Movies Work. Silman-James Press, 1995. ISBN: 978-1879505278, Pub. Price $19.95 [224 pp.].

Johnston, Robert. Reel Spirituality. 2nd ed. Baker Academic, 2006. ISBN: 978-0801031878, Pub. Price $25.00 [352 pp.].

________, ed. Reframing Theology and Film. Baker Academic, 2007. ISBN: 978-0801032400, Pub. Price: $28.00 [336 pp.].

________. Useless Beauty. Wipf & Stock, 2004. ISBN: 978-1610978293, Pub. Price $23.00 [208 pp.].

Class reader (critical essays by bell hooks, Gordon Lynch, Donald C. Frisk, Kutter Callaway and others).

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. Viewing and journaling on assigned movies and class participation (10%)

2. Quiz on Boorstin, Making Movies Work (10%)

3. Quiz and critical questions on Johnston, Reel Spirituality (10%)

4. One 2/3 page personal reflection paper on film’s spiritual power (10%)

5. One 2-page critical review of Reframing Theology and Film (5%)

6. One 3-page report on ministry project using a film from Finding God in the Movies (20%)

7. One 10-page paper on a film(s) (approved by the instructor) bringing the movie(s) into dialogue with Ecclesiastes, whether letting the film shed light on the biblical text, using the biblical text to critique the movie, or otherwise engaging in dialogue (35%)

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Meets the culture (CULT) requirement in Cultural Literacy for MA programs; meets the MACL in Integrative Studies requirement for an interdisciplinary course (IDPL).

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.