IST2094-1OL-FA14 - Theology & Popular Culture

“If the churches are to participate in the church, they must be creatively transformed through their openness to Christ. This means that they must accept ideas and practices against which they have been protecting themselves. But it does not mean that they should accept uncritically what is foreign to their traditions. … Creative transformation for the Christian community involves the heightening of criticism both of itself and of that which it finds outside itself.”

– John B. Cobb, Jr., and David Ray Griffin. Process Theology: An Introductory Exposition (Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 1976), 131

Reality television. Left Behind. Graphic novels. PowerPoint sermons. There is no denying that technological media are an inescapable part of almost every aspect of 21st century life. Religious communities (and individuals) often take an all-or-nothing approach to technology and popular culture: either there's no question that technological culture is to be used uncritically, or it's so dangerous that it ought to be rejected entirely. Discussions about so-called 'religion' take the same form: that religion (at least our religion) is obviously a beneficial part of society, or that it is so dangerous that it ought to be banned in all its various forms. This class will explore the complicated spaces in between.

The popular and academic field is filled with publications like The Gospel According to The Lord of the Rings, and the religious field filled with YouTube clips in sermons – but how are these publications and presentations to be understood? This class will not only be a survey of interesting manifestations of religion in pop culture, but we will also do some serious thinking about the role of religion and media in society. The class will also think together about the use of media in religious communities themselves - communities to which many of us will be contributing. We will work together to explore questions about the role of mass media in contemporary society and the further development of one’s own understanding of religion and particular theology. The selected texts below, as well as ongoing encounters in class and in journals with film, short stories, graphic novels, popular music, etc., will give some groundwork to this communal reflection. Your final position paper will use the studied theories of media criticism and definitions of religion to examine critically a media artifact of your choice. Combining a cultural/critical studies theoretical approach with primary media and secondary theology-about-media, this class will help all of us as future leaders to think before we press play.

COURSE GOALS: 

1)      To summarize, analyze, and critique several understandings of the relationship between religion and popular culture

2)      To develop a framework for applying these understandings to particular media artifacts.

3)      To critically examine questions about the role of mass media in contemporary society and in religious life.

4)      To formulate respectfully and intelligently one’s own theological commitments in conversation with popular understandings of theology and/or religion. 

COURSE OBJECTIVES AND REQUIREMENTS 

1)      Engage in participatory online discussion to connect our own intellectual, religious, and theological experiences with the representative media portrayals presented.

2)      Complete an ongoing encounter journal that records our encounters with the various media offerings and theories on empathic, reflective, and critical levels.

3)      Present in discussion groups selected understandings of ‘religion’ and ‘spirituality’ in conversation with popular culture.

4)      Produce a final position paper that uses the studied theories of media criticism and definitions of religion to theologically examine a chosen media artifact.

5)      Regularly participate in weekly discussion sessions.

6)      Read and be prepared to discuss assigned readings.

7)      Complete and present assignments on due dates.

Note: The syllabus is subject to minor revision at any time, following an agreement by the instructor and the students.

Iliff Degree Learning Goals for This Course

MDiv Students

1.2. demonstrate awareness of Christianity as a historically-situated movement that interacted and changed in relationship to its surrounding cultures and subcultures over time, resulting in various expressions of Christianity located within and influenced by social structures, historical events, and ethnic and cultural ideologies

3. Think theologically in a contemporary context and articulate a constructive theological position.

3.2. critically engage historical theological expressions of Christianity in relation to contemporary events and/or situations

3.3. identify and articulate their constructive theological position on an issue, current event, or traditional Christian doctrinal category with clarity

MASC Students

1. Engage in social, historical, and political analysis in order to identify key factors impacting situations in which social change is desired and potential contradictions within these settings that open up the possibility for change

MAPSC Students

2. Students will identify and critically evaluate the ways in which their personal, religious, and cultural experience, along with their activities in pastoral and spiritual care, shape their theology, moral orientation, and vocational formation.

MA Students

4. Establish enough of a breadth of awareness of historic and contemporary thinkers within their particular discipline that they will be able to identify and choose good conversation partners within their field to engage their research question.

5. Engage critically with key figures and issues in their specific sub-field within religious studies.

MTS Students

3. Relate learning from recognizable forms of theological discourse to contemporary issues and questions, particularly those relevant to the student’s own professional practices and personal life.

4. Identify theological resources that would broaden and deepen their thinking about these questions.

5. Demonstrate proficiency in theological research and writing as they articulate responses to their theological questions in light of their vocational goals and experiences.

Common Text:

Cobb, Kelton. The Blackwell Guide to Theology and Popular Culture. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2005. ISBN 978-1405107020.

Presentation Texts:

One of the following – you may also suggest another book with permission of the instructor. Please DO NOT BUY YOUR PRESENTATION TEXT until your discuss it with me by the first week of the course.

Bruner, Kurt, and Jim Ware. Finding God in Lord of the Rings. Tyndale Momentum, 2006. ISBN 978-1414312798. or,

Clark, Lynn Schofield. From Angels to Aliens: Teenagers, the Media and the Supernatural. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005. ISBN 978-0195300239.  or,

Frykholm, Amy Johnson. Rapture Culture: Left Behind in Evangelical America. New York: Oxford University Press, 2004. ISBN 0195335678. or,

McGrath, James, ed. Religion and Science Fiction. Wipf & Stock, 2011. ISBN 978-1608998869. or,

Prothero, Stephen. American Jesus: How the Son of God Became a National Icon. New York: Farrar, Strous, and Giroux, 2004. ISBN 978-0374529567.

The online journal entries and discussions will be key to your understanding, encountering, and critiquing the material. Appropriate participation demonstrates your preparation and engagement with lectures and discussion.  Final grades may be adjusted in light of attendance and participation. 

You will also need to complete a Learning Self-Evaluation form at the end of the course to receive a grade. 

Class discussion is more than emotional expression or proving one’s intellectual superiority– it is a valuable tool for learning. Research shows that expressing your understanding and ideas and getting feedback from your colleagues and from me helps you learn, retain, and use your knowledge more effectively than simply listening to me lecture (exciting as I know that is). 

Important Note: Key to the goals and outcomes of this course is a critical engagement with both religion and popular culture. Criticism is not critique. We all come from a specific time, place, family background, denominational background, no religious background, etc. Cherish that particularity, claim it, and examine it – and at the same time, respect, encounter, and learn from others’ particularity. Racism or discrimination of any kind will not be tolerated in class. I will do my best to facilitate our discussion around the subject matter we are studying, not around which religious themes or views are “wrong” or “right” or around particular cultures or individuals. On the other hand, we are engaging in graduate-level intellectual activity; we will seriously and critically examine the texts, ideas, and authors with which we engage – an “anything goes” or “whatever you think is fine” approach is unsuitable for a seminary class (unless you have some vigorous argumentation and documentation to support it!). The goal is to develop a willingness for all of us to talk about our own ideas openly and to listen and respond to other’s ideas effectively and respectfully, while at the same time developing a more vigorous and productive approach to the relationship between religion and popular culture.

Due Dates:  Assignments need to be turned in on the dates specified on Canvas. Late assignments will lose one letter grade if not submitted by the date indicated, two letter grades if not submitted by one week after the due date, and will not be accepted after one week late. Students who do not complete any assignments during the first two weeks of class will not be able to pass the class and will be removed.

 
Incomplete Policy: According to the Masters Student Handbook, incompletes may not be offered by Adjunct Faculty, and therefore will not be an option. All work must be submitted by the deadlines indicated with no exceptions, due to the school’s due dates for submitting grades.
 
Pass/Fail:  Students interested in taking the class pass/fail should discuss this with the instructor by Sept. 12. In order to earn a Pass, students must perform at a level considered the equivalent of C or better.   
 
Notification of Academic Integrity Standards: (from the Iliff Master’s Student Handbook)

Academic integrity lies at the foundation of academic progress.  Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, acts of fraud and deception on an examination or class assignment, acts of forgery or unauthorized alteration of any official academic record or document and attempt to gain credit for work that one has plagiarized from the work of another person.  Academic dishonesty will not be tolerated in this course or any other at Iliff School of Theology and there are serious consequences to students who engage in it.
 
Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA): Iliff engages in a collaborative effort with students with disabilities to reasonably accommodate student needs. Iliff engages in a collaborative effort with students with disabilities to reasonably accommodate student needs.   Students are encouraged to contact their academic advisor at 303-765-1146 (internal extension x146), by email at advising@iliff.edu, or in person by visiting S-125. 

Books for This Course

Common Text :

Cobb, Kelton. The Blackwell Guide to Theology and Popular Culture. Malden, MA: Blackwell, 2005. ISBN 978-1405107020.

Presentation Texts :

One of the following – you may also suggest another book with permission of the instructor. Please DO NOT BUY YOUR PRESENTATION TEXT until you have discussed it with me by the first week of class.

Bruner, Kurt, and Jim Ware. Finding God in Lord of the Rings. Tyndale Momentum, 2006. ISBN 978-1414312798. or,

Clark, Lynn Schofield. From Angels to Aliens: Teenagers, the Media and the Supernatural . New York: Oxford University Press, 2005. ISBN 978-0195300239. or,

Frykholm, Amy Johnson. Rapture Culture: Left Behind in Evangelical America . New York: Oxford University Press, 2004. ISBN 0195335678. or,

McGrath, James, ed. Religion and Science Fiction. Wipf & Stock, 2011. ISBN 978-1608998869. or,

Prothero, Stephen. American Jesus: How the Son of God Became a National Icon. New York: Farrar, Strous, and Giroux, 2004. ISBN 978-0374529567.

Online Bookseller Options

http://library.iliff.edu/home/onlinebooksellers