CO518
Drane/Drane
CO518: CREATIVE ARTS AND THE BIBLE. John Drane and Olive M. Fleming Drane.
DESCRIPTION:
- This course considers the role of the arts and creativity in the
Bible. After discussion of the hermeneutical issues involved and a general
overview of the relationship between art and theology, the course then explores
the role of God as creator as a paradigm for human creativity; the place of the
arts in biblical worship (Old and New Testaments); affective spirituality and
the prophets, including their use of mime and clowning; Jesus as storyteller;
the role of humor in the Bible; and the early church as an artistic
community.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY:
- The course aims to provide a biblical foundation for the use of the
arts as part of the worship and witness of today's church. As well as
theological reflection, there will also be training in practical skills,
including liturgical dance, drama, mime, clowning, storytelling, and
painting.
COURSE FORMAT:
- Class meetings will utilize a variety of different formats,
including plenaries and small group discussion, as well as practical training.
The practical work will not be optional, but will form an integral part of the
course. Students should expect to provide appropriate materials for some of the
course activities. Attention will also be given to practical strategies for
introducing the arts into church life.
REQUIRED READING:
- Students will be expected to read a total of 1000 pages from the
following:
- Adams, Doug and Diane Apostolos-Cappadona, eds. Dance as
Religious Studies. New York: Crossroad, 1990.
- * Bausch, William J. Storytelling, Imagination and Faith. Mystic CT:
23rd Publications, 1984.
- Brueggemann, Walter. Texts under Negotiation. Minneapolis:
Fortress, 1993.
- * Fox, Matthew. Whee! We, Wee all the Way Home. Santa Fe: Bear &
Co., 1981.
- * Gagne, Ronald, Thomas Kane, and Robert VerEecke. Introducing Dance in
Christian Worship. Washington, D.C.: Pastoral Press, 1984.
- Hyers, Conrad. And God Created Laughter. Atlanta: John Knox Press,
1987.
- * Litherland, J. The Clown Ministry Handbook, 4th ed. Colorado
Springs: Meriwether, 1990.
- * Perkins, Pheme. Jesus as Teacher. New York: Cambridge University
Press, 1990.
- Radday, Yehuda T. and Athalya Brenner. On Humour and the Comic in the
Hebrew Bible. Sheffield: Almond Press, 1990.
- Tilley, Terrence W. Story Theology. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical
Press, 1990.
- * Wink, Walter. Transforming Bible Study, 2nd ed. Nashville:
Abingdon, 1990.
- * If possible, students should read these books prior to July 21, the
first class meeting:
RECOMMENDED READING:
- A supplementary reading list will be distributed in class and
available on reserve in the library.
ASSIGNMENTS:
- 1) Attendance: students who miss more than 3 class meetings will
not receive a passing grade. 2) Preparation: students will be expected to
engage in adequate advance preparation and to participate fully in class
meetings. 3) Course journal: students should keep a personal journal for each
class meeting. 4) Essay or project: an essay of approximately 10 pages, or an
equivalent project on a subject to be mutually agreed between student and
professors.
PREREQUISITES: None. No audits allowed.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective.
FINAL EXAMINATION:
- An assessment of practical skills will take place towards the end
of the course, and will count for 25% of the final grade. No student will
receive a passing grade without taking part in this, and submitting both pieces
of written work.