DESCRIPTION:

This course will consider one particular aspect of a theology of culture: theology and film. The course will (1) view and discuss selected films, (2) provide the student critical skills helpful for film interpretation, and (3) explore possible theological approaches to film criticism.

Preparation for ministry too often assumes students possess skills in cultural analysis and interaction. This course will help students to see western "culture", by providing a critical and theological framework for viewing its cinema. While such cultural engagement is not sufficient for effective ministry, it is supportive of, if not necessary for it.

Discussion and lecture. The class will meet one evening per week for a three and a half hour session. One or two films will be viewed prior to the class session. During each session, students will (1) discuss the films, (2) consider a variety of aspects concerning the nature of film, and (3) consider different approaches to film and/or theological criticism of film. Occasional outside resource persons will be used.

1. Twelve films: Bull Durham; Field of Dreams; Crimes and Misdemeanors; Amadeus; Broadway Danny Rose; Shane; American Beauty; The Searchers; Witness; Thelma & Louise; Fearless; One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.

2. Participation in The City of Angels Film Festival, November 10-12, 2000.

3. The following texts:

Boorstin, Jon. Making Movies Work. Silman-James Press, 1995.

Jewett, Robert. Saint Paul at the Movies. Westminster, 1993.

Johnston, Robert. Theology and Film (manuscript).

Kesey, Ken. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. New American Library, 1989.

Marsh, Clive and Gaye Ortiz. Explorations in Theology and Film. Blackwell, 1997.

Stone, Bryan. Faith and Film. Chalice, 2000.

1. Viewing and journaling about selected films (20%).

2. Three two-page book reviews on Jewett, Marsh/Ortiz and Stone (30%).

3. A ten-page paper on a film/films making use both (1) of one of the critical approaches to film offered in Johnston's book and (2) of one's theological method; and including (3) an one page outline of a possible presentation using the above methodologies (e.g., in a Young Life talk, InterVarsity chapter message, Sunday School lesson, sermon, etc.) (50%).

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M.Div. and M.A. in Theology elective; meets the M.A.C.L. in Integrative Studies requirement for an interdisciplinary course (IDPL).

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