Summer 2016/Pasadena

TC515

Taylor

TC515: TOPICS IN THEOLOGY AND CULTURE: UNDERSTANDING POPULAR MUSIC (4 Units: 160 hours) Barry Taylor.

DESCRIPTION: The course will engage with a theology of culture by focusing on one particular aspect: theology and popular music. The course will (1) investigate the social, ethical, and psychological implications of popular music, (2) provide students with methodological and critical perspectives for engaging culture, from both the humanities and social sciences, (3) explore theological and biblical perspectives for theology and music criticism, and (4) provide contextual approaches for Gospel articulation.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Through examination and investigation of popular music, interactive discussion, and class lectures, students will (1) be able to articulate a broad understanding of both the structure and social contexts of popular music, (2) gain an understanding of the moral and philosophical drive of many areas of popular music, (3) be equipped to engage and theologically with one of the most important dynamics of contemporary culture, and (4) understand the ways in which popular music influences and shapes contemporary church and worship life.

COURSE FORMAT: The class will meet daily for four-hour sessions as a two-week intensive for a total of 40 instructional hours. Classes will be divided between lecture and interactive discussion combined with multimedia approaches to listening and understanding popular music. During each class, students will typically (1) discuss the various genres of popular music presented, (2) consider aspects of the nature of the music and theology and or gospel demonstration, (3) use selected critical and theological approaches to (music) culture, (4) enter into theological criticism with the music, and (5) explore missional possibilities within this engagement.

REQUIRED READING: 1416 pages required.

Frith, Simon, Performing Rites. Harvard University Press, 1998. ISBN: 978-0674661967. Pub. Price $27.00 [360 pp.].

Hesmondaugh, David and Keith Negus. Popular Music Studies, Bloomsbury Academic, 2002. ISBN: 978-0340762486. Pub. Price $35.00 [288 pp.].

Stephens, Ken. What to Listen for in Rock. Yale University Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0300092394. Pub. Price $60.00. [272 pp.].

Storey, John. Cultural Studies and the Study of Popular Culture: Third Edition. Edinburgh University Press, 2010. ISBN: 978-0748640386, Pub. Price $38.95 (paperback) [208 pp.].

Vanhoozer, Kevin J. ed. Everyday Theology. Baker Academic, 2007. ISBN: 978-0801031670. Pub. Price $24.99 (288 pp.).

* Listening to a selection of popular music, spanning the history of the medium will be a required part of the curriculum (guidelines for this will be presented in class).

RECOMMENDED READING:

Baker, Jonny, and Doug Gay, with Jenny Brown. Alternative Worship. Baker Books, 2004. ISBN: 978-0801091704, Pub. Price $7.75 [160 pp.].

Cone, James. The Spirituals and the Blues: An Interpretation. Orbis, 1992. ISBN: 978-0883448434, Pub. Price $16.00 [152 pp.].

Dylan, Bob. Chronicles Vol. 1. Simon & Schuster, 2005. ISBN: 978-0743244589, Pub. Price $16.00 [320 pp.].

Hesmondaugh, David, and Keith Negus. Popular Music Studies. Oxford University Press, 2002. ISBN: 978-0340762486, Pub. Price $35.00 [288 pp.].

Kahney, Leander. The Cult of iPod. No Starch Press, 2005. ISBN: 978-1593270667, Pub. Price $24.95 [160 pp.].

Rose, Tricia. Black Noise: Rap Music and Black Culture in Contemporary America. Wesleyan University Press, 1994. ISBN: 978-0819562753, Pub. Price: $22.95 [257 pp.].

ASSIGNMENTS AND ASSESSMENT:

1. 1416 pages of required reading. [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 4] [70 hours].

2. Listening and journaling on assigned music (20%). [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 4] [25 hours].

3. Quiz on Frith: Performing Rites (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcome 1] [1 hour].

4. Quiz Vanhoozer: Everyday Theology (10%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 3 and 4] [1 hour].

5. 2 or 3 page personal reflection paper on music’s spiritual power (15%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, and 3] [3 hours].

6. A 12-15 page paper rooted in field research on one of the musical genres covered in the course. Papers will forge a theological response to the research gathered. Students will study specific music genres (guidelines will be given in class) and include a plan for a theological presentation in their life and ministry (45%) [This assignment is related to learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, and 4] [20 hours preparing and writing].

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Option to meet the TH5 in the 120 MDiv Program. Option for Theology and the Arts (TA); Worship and Music Ministry (WMM); Worship, Theology, and the Arts (WTA); and Youth, Family and Culture (YFC) Areas of Emphasis.

FINAL EXAMINATION: None.