Winter 2016/Pasadena
ST746/TC530
Johnston
ST746/TC530: FILM AND THEOLOGY (8/4 Units: 320 Hours/160 Hours). Robert K Johnston.
Korean Doctor of Ministry Program and Korean MAT/M.Div Programs
DESCRIPTION: By portraying life in its possibility and limitation, contemporary film invites theological reflection. This course will (1) view and discuss selected recent films, both Korean and Western, (2) provide the student critical skills helpful for film interpretation, and (3) explore possible theological approaches to film criticism, concentrating upon how the Bible and film might be brought into mutually enriching dialogue.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will be given the opportunity to develop tools to: (1) describe and assess contemporary trends both in Korea and in the West 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 course is a five-day intensive course which will involve lecture, film viewing and discussions. The class will meet daily for one week for 8-hour sessions for a total of 40 instructional hours. During each class, students will typically (1) discuss the movies assigned for that day, (2) consider aspects of the nature of film and/or theology, (3) practice the use of a selected critical approach to film, and (4) enter into theological criticism with the film(s).
REQUIRED READING:
Credit students (8 units) are required to read at least 3,000 pages from the following reading list (1,500 pages for 4 units).
The following reading is required for all students and is to be completed prior to class starting:
Articles from Course Syllabus. [88 pages]:
Barsotti, Catherine and Robert Johnston. Finding God in the Movies. Baker Books, 2004. (Introduction, chapters 6, 17, 24, 26, 28, and 31).
Johnston, Robert. “The Passion as Dynamic Icon: A Theological Reflection,” in Reviewing the Passion, S. Brent Plate, ed. New York: Palgrave, 2004.
_________. “Rereading the Biblical Text: Insights into a Theology of Culture with Reference to American Evangelicalism.” in Levande: om forsamling, teologi och samhalle, Lennart Molin, ed. Stockholm: Verbum, 1996.
Johnston, Robert. Korean translation of Reel Spirituality. Seoul: IVP, 2003. [374 pp.].
Johnston, Robert. Korean translation of UselessBeauty. [272 pp.].
Ecclesiastes (read this book in one sitting at least ten times). [80 pp.].
From the following readings, students can choose what they would like to read in order to complete the assignment of 1500 pages (4 units) or 3000 pages (8 units):
Anderson, Philip Longfellow. Korean translation of The Gospel in Disney: Christian Values in the Early Animated Classics. [327 pp.].
Marsh, Clive & Gaye Ortiz eds., Korean translation of Explorations in Theology and Film: An Introduction. [423 pp.].
Niebuhr, H. Richard. Korean translation of Christ and Culture. Seoul: Dae-Han KiDokKyo Press, 1986. [256 pp.].
Newbigin, Leslie. Korean translation of Foolishness to the Greeks. [172 pp.].
Park, Jong-Kyun. Christianity and Understanding Pop-Culture, Seoul: Dae-Han KiDokKyo Press, 1999.
Postman, Neil. Korean translation of Amusing Ourselves to Death. [240 pp.].
Romanowski, William D. Korean translation of Modern Art in the Common Culture (English title: Pop Culture Wars: Religion and the Role of Entertainment in American Life). Seoul: IVP, 2001. [486 pp.]. OR Romanowski, William D. Korean translation of Eyes Wide Open. [264 pp.].
Schultze, Quentin. Korean translation of Redeeming Television. [310pp.].
Shin, Kook-Won. The Story of Culture. Seoul: IVP, 2002. [344 pp.].
_________. Pop-Culture Theory for Transformation and Shallom, Seoul: IVP, 2004.
In addition, all credit and audit students should view the following movies (to be seen before class starts): Taegukki; Iron Giant; About Schmidt; Run Lola Run; Gwoemul (The Host); Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter…Spring; Milyang (Secret Sunshine); Crimes and Misdemeanors; Okuribito (Departures); Shi (Poetry; The Adjustment Bureau.
Note: The following movie will be shown in class: Decalogue 1
ASSIGNMENTS:
Complete reading [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1,2,3,4,5] [8 units, 150 hours/ 4 units, 55 hours].
Reading report on the assigned books and articles in the reading list. (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1,3]. [28 hours/8 hours].
Viewing and journaling on selected movies. (10%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2]. [31 hours/26 hours].
4 page report on ministry project using film (use Finding God in the Movies) (25%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2,3,4,5]. [11 hours].
20 page/10 page paper putting Ecclesiastes in dialogue with a movie (40%). [This assignment is related to learning outcome #2,3,4,5]. [60 hours/20 hours].
Class participation [This assignment is related to learning outcome #1,2,3,4,5]. [40 hours].
PREREQUISITES: This is a Korean course (KOR).
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: C2, C3, CULT, IDPL. TH5. Option to count in the Theology and the Arts emphasis, Worship and Music Ministry emphasis, Worship, Theology and the Arts emphasis, and Youth, Family and Culture emphasis.
FINAL EXAMINATION: None.