Hollingsworth
Movie Theology 2010
OVIE
HEOLOGY
Bethel Seminary St. Paul, InMinistry Program
Summer, 2010
Instructor: Andrea Hollingsworth, Ph.D. Candidate in Constructive Theology, Loyola University Chicago
Email: ahollin@luc.edu
Phone: 773.699.8370
Course Weight: 4 quarter hours
Recommended Prerequisite: Theology and Contemporary Culture
On-campus intensive: July 26-30
The human imagination has long entertained basic questions of human experience (e.g., What is love?
What makes life meaningful? What is redemption?) through both artistic and religious means. This interdisciplinary course is designed to invite students to reflect on such questions through the dual lenses of film and theology. One the one hand, it is an exercise in a “theology of culture” in which we utilize film to inform our theology. On the other hand it is an exercise in a “theological hermeneutic of film,” in which we use our theological intuitions to engage in the interpretation of popular art.
Upon completion of the course, the student will have:
1.
A heightened awareness of the nature and role of cinema and film in contemporary culture;
2.
Techniques for viewing cinema and films perceptively;
3.
Greater attunement to the facets of contemporary society as portrayed therein;
4.
Enhanced skill in engaging with these media and their messages from a theological and ethical perspective; and
5.
Knowledge of ways to effectively utilize film in ministry contexts.
Johnston, Robert K. Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue , rev ed .
Grand Rapids: Baker,
2006.
The Bible (NRSV suggested)
Davis, Patricia. “Live Free and Die: The Moral Dilemma of
American Beauty
.”
The Journal of Pastoral
Theology 11 (June 2001): 53-67.
Deacy, Christopher and Gaye Williams Ortiz. “A Time to Kill? Theological Perspectives on Violence and
Film.” Chapter 5 in Theology and Film: Challenging the Sacred/Secular Divide, pp. 123-142.
Malden, MA: Blackwell Publishing, 2008.
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Movie Theology 2010
________. “Heaven, Hell, and the Sweet Hereafter: Theological Perspectives on Eschatology and Film.”
Chapter 8 in Theology and Film: Challenging the Sacred/Secular Divide, pp.178-199.
Malden,
MA: Blackwell Publishing, 2008.
Forbes, Bruce David. “Battling the Dark Side: Star Wars and Popular Understandings of Evil.” Word and
World 14, no. 4 (Fall 1999): 351-362.
Jackelén, Antje. “The Image of God as Techno Sapiens .” Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science 37, no.
2 (June 2002): 289-302.
Marsh, Clive. “What Films Do To People (II): Titanic .” Chapter 4 in Cinema and Sentiment: Film’s
Challenge to Theology , pp. 60-75. Bletchley, UK: Paternoster Press, 2004. Reprinted 2005.
Oord, Thomas Jay. “The Love Racket: Defining Love and Agape for the Love-and-Science Research
Program.” Zygon: Journal of Religion and Science 40, no. 4 (Dec. 2005): 919-938.
Ricoeur, Paul. “Original Sin: A Study in Meaning.” Translated by Peter McCormick. In The Conflict of
Interpretations: Essays in Hermeneutics , pp. 269-286. Evanston, IL: Northwestern University
Press, 2007.
Scharen, Christian. “Imagination, Pop Culture and Ministry with Youth and Young Adults.” Dialog: A
Journal of Theology 47, no. 4 (Winter 2008): 339-347.
Yong, Amos. “The Blind, the Deaf, and the Lame: Biblical and Historical Trajectories.” Chapter 2 in
Theology and Down Syndrome: Reimagining Disability in Late Modernity.
Waco, TX: Baylor
University Press, 2007.
________. “Reimagining the Doctrines of Creation, Providence and the Imago Dei : Rehabilitating Down
Syndrome and Disability.” Chapter 6 in
Theology and Down Syndrome: Reimagining Disability in Late Modernity.
Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2007.
I.
P ARTICIPATION (30% OF FINAL GRADE )
1. Movie Watching (4% of final grade)
For this course students are required to watch two films per week. Each week we will explore a different theme. On the course schedule (below) there is a list of five movies per week. Students are required to view the first film on the list (in boldface ). For the second film, they may choose one of the four listed below it. While students are encouraged to choose films they have not seen before, it is entirely acceptable to re-view a film one has watched in the past. (Often another viewing opens up previously unnoticed aspects of a film.) It is, however, unacceptable to rely on the memory of having seen a film in the past; either view anew or re-view. All movies are due to be watched by midnight

on the Sunday that closes out the week.

In each student’s own particular time zone.
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Movie Theology 2010
By midnight on the Sunday that closes out each week, students must complete a short report on
Blackboard that will serve to communicate to the instructor which movies were watched. Students will simply be asked to check off the movies they watched. The report may be found in the “Assignments” category. NOTE: This is a tool for ensuring accountability in assignment completion. Students are responsible for completing the report in an honest and timely manner.
Students must make arrangements to acquire and watch the movies on their own. This, of course, requires initiative and forethought. Gaining access to the films for this class will be easier if students become acquainted with sources on the internet. An online/mail-in movie service (such as Netflix or facets.org) is highly recommended. Hulu and Internet Movie Database (IMDB) have a limited number of films to watch for free online. With Movielink, some films are downloadable. IMDB is the best source for all basic information on films (director, producer, actors, awards, etc.).
2. Course Readings (4% of final grade)
The course schedule indicates readings and movies due each week. All readings are due to be read by midnight on the Sunday that closes out the week. Articles and book chapters are available for download on Blackboard.
By midnight on the Sunday that closes out each week, students must complete a short report on
Blackboard that will serve to communicate to the instructor which readings were completed. Students will simply be asked to check off the readings they completed. The report may be found in the “Assignments” category. NOTE: This is a tool for ensuring accountability in assignment completion. Students are responsible for completing the report in an honest and timely manner.
3. Blackboard Posts and Intensive Discussions (20% of final grade)
This course includes ongoing discussions on Blackboard centered on course themes. Both the instructor and students may initiate and respond to questions and discussion topics. Students are expected to participate in these online discussions on a regular basis – both initiating new discussion threads and responding to others’ comments. All posts should show respectful, generous engagement with others.
Each week’s Blackboard discussion will begin with a question (or set of questions) posted by the instructor on Monday morning. These questions will serve as guideposts for interpretation and discussion of that week’s films and readings. As students watch films and read texts throughout the week (and weekend), they will participate in the Blackboard discussion, both responding to the instructor’s initial questions and pursuing conversations that branch off from them.
Each week, initial posts are due on midnight of Wednesday, and all subsequent posts are due by midnight on Sunday. Late posts will not be accepted after midnight on the Sunday that closes out the week.
While there is no specific requirement for the number of posts per week, as a general rule, students should aim for two to three well-thought-through posts per week. Grading will be based on both quantitative
(viz., number of posts) and qualitative (viz., depth of insight/engagement of posts) criteria. The questions, insights, and reflections posted on Blackboard should clearly demonstrate familiarity with course films and readings; if they consistently fail to do so, the student’s participation grade will be negatively affected.
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Movie Theology 2010
Small and large-group dialogue will constitute much of the class time during the intensive. Active, considerate engagement in these discussions constitutes a significant portion of the participation grade.
4. Course Evaluation Completion (2% of final grade)
Student course assessments are an important part of course development and enhancement. Student feedback is used by professors to modify courses and teaching approaches and is included in decisions on promotion and tenure for professors. In order to recognize the value of student input and to encourage students to provide that input, completion of the course assessment electronically at the end of the course will be included as a factor in the final course grade.
II.
M ETHODOLOGY P RESENTATION (20% OF FINAL GRADE )
During the intensive, each student will give an 8 to 10 minute presentation on his or her chosen methodology for relating theology and film in a ministry context. In their presentations, students should address two overarching questions. First, on an explanatory and theoretical level, what is your model for relating theology and film? Here you may draw on any single theoretical framework which maps out ways in which Christianity and culture relate to each other. (For example, H. Richard Niebuhr’s classic paradigm in Christ and Culture , or R. Johnston’s model in Ch. 3 of Reel Spirituality .) Second, on a demonstrative and practical level, what is one way in which film can be utilized in an ecclesial setting?
The idea here is to show the class one creative, specific application of film (e.g., discussion initiator or guide, teaching illustration, worship medium) in one particular ministry context (e.g., worship, instruction, youth group, community service/outreach, small group, counseling/pastoral care). This portion of the presentation should (1) be rooted in the theoretical discussion, (2) leave fellow classmates with a concrete, imaginative, and specific film-and-theology application they could potentially implement in their own ministry settings. At the end of each presentation there will be a short time for questions and comments from the class.
There are no specific guidelines for presentation format; students should use whatever design they think will best help them achieve the above objectives.
III.
F ILM R EFLECTIONS (20% OF FINAL GRADE )
Over the course of the semester students are required to write two short reflections on films viewed for the class. Each reflection is worth 10% of the final grade, and should be approximately two pages long
(double-spaced, 1 inch margins). Reflections should center on one film viewed for the class thus far, and should include (1) attention to key filmic elements such as plotline, genre, key scenes, character development (Cf. Johnston Ch. 6, 7, 8) and (2) theological reflection on one of the film’s major themes.
One straightforward way to organize the paper would be to discuss filmic elements on page one and theological reflection on page two; however, more integrated formats are welcome. The paper, while concise, should be cohesively structured around one controlling idea.
IV.
I NTEGRATIVE R ESEARCH P APER (30% OF FINAL GRADE )
The final paper is an exercise in film analysis combined with theological reflection. Here students will demonstrate their ability to interpret a film in close dialogue with important figures and works in
Christian theology. The paper should put into dialogue one film and one theologian around one topic or theme (all chosen by the student). It should include a discussion on methodology, be thesis-driven, and be clearly organized. While not a standard research paper, students must conduct research for this essay, using additional sources in both film criticism and Christian theology beyond what is assigned for this
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Movie Theology 2010 class. The final product should be about 12 pages long (double-spaced, 1 inch margins). More detailed information about this assignment is forthcoming.
V.
S UBMISSION G UIDELINES
All papers are to be submitted via “Assignment Link” on Blackboard. Please utilize the following format for labeling all your submitted work: “Your Last Name_Initial of Your First Name_TS704_Assignment
Abbreviation.” (For example, if I were a student turning in my first film reflection, my label would be:
“Hollingsworth_A_TS704_FR 1”) This is to be the format used to label your MS Word document, as well as the format used to name your submission on Blackboard. NOTE: Grade deductions will be given for failing to follow these submission guidelines.
Grades for assignments will be posted on Blackboard. Grades will be assigned using the full range of letter grades (A-F), representing the following levels of performance:
A Excellent work submitted; evidence of outstanding ability to synthesize and use course knowledge; consistent evidence of creativity and originality; insightful contributions in class; consistent demonstration of integrative and critical thinking skills; regular class attendance; and respectful interaction.
B
C
Good work submitted; evidence of substantial ability to analyze and use course knowledge; evidence of creativity and originality; thoughtful contributions in class; demonstration of integrative and critical thinking skills; regular class attendance; and respectful interaction.
Acceptable work submitted; evidence of adequate ability to analyze and use course knowledge; appropriate contributions in class; attempts at integration and critique; regular class attendance; and respectful interaction.
D
F
Poor work submitted; little evidence of ability to analyze and use course knowledge; inconsistent evidence of mastery of course content; few contributions in class; no attempts at integration and critique; inconsistent class attendance; and respectful interaction.
Inadequate work submitted; insufficient evidence of ability to analyze and use course knowledge; inappropriate and/or disrespectful contributions in class; poor class attendance; or failure to complete course requirements.”
C
C-
D+
D
F
Course requirements are evaluated with percentages, which reflect letter grades:
A
A-
93-100%
90-92%
B+
B
B-
C+
88-89%
83-87%
80-82%
78-79%
73-77%
70-72%
68-69%
63-67%
0-62%
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Movie Theology 2010
Participation: Movie Watching
Participation: Course Readings
Participation: Blackboard Posts and Intensive Discussion
Participation: Course Evaluation (due Sept. 3)
Methodology Presentation
Film Reflection # 1
Film Reflection # 2
Integrative Research Project
(due Thurs. or Fri. of intensive)
(due midnight, July 11)
(due midnight, August 15)
(due midnight, August 27)
3.5%
4.0%
20.0%
2.5%
20.0%
10.0%
10.0%
30.0%
—
100.0%
Sex, Blood, and the F-Bomb: The films on the course schedule have been carefully selected for the potential they have to elicit fruitful theological reflection in dialogue with pop culture. A number of them contain violence, sexuality, and/or verbal profanity—some in more intense ways than others. During the first week of class we will discuss important methodological issues in film viewing, including the relative weight so-called “adult content” should be given when considering whether or not to engage a film. On the one hand, it is expected that all students will exhibit sensitivity, maturity, and openness in film viewing. On the other hand, it is recognized that not everyone should see all movies. What this means:
If—after careful, critical, and prayerful reflection the first week of class—you hold serious reservations about the appropriateness of your viewing movies with sex, violence, and/or swearing, you should do two things. First, when making film-watching decisions for the class, look up films’ content advisory information so as to be forewarned regarding potentially objectionable content. This information is available on imdb.com. Second, inform the instructor of your reservations so that tailored arrangements can be made for your film viewing during week six, in which the required film ( American Beauty ) contains graphic material.
Academic Integrity: Written material submitted must be the original work of the student. Academic dishonesty constitutes a serious violation of scholarship standards at Bethel and can result in denial of credit and possible dismissal from the school. Any act that involves misrepresentation regarding the student’s academic work is forbidden. Academic dishonesty includes cheating on assignments or exams, plagiarism, fabrication of research, multiple submissions of work in different courses, misrepresentation of academic records, the facilitation of academic dishonesty, and depriving others of necessary academic resources.
Plagiarism Zero Tolerance Policy: If a student is suspected of plagiarism, he or she will be called in for a discussion with the instructor. The onus will be on the student to demonstrate that the work is original.
If plagiarism is discovered, the student will fail the class and be reported to the Office of Student Life.
Course Papers: All assigned course and term papers in all degree programs (with the exception of those in Marriage and Family Studies) are to be submitted in thesis form in conformity with the most recent edition of Kate Turabian’s A Manual for Writers .
Inclusive Language: Students are expected to use inclusive language in all class assignments, including papers, online discussions, and in-class dialogues. In practice, this means avoiding exclusive masculine or
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Movie Theology 2010 feminine usage when speaking about humanity and persons. Students should also speak about nature and divinity in inclusive language, unless they intentionally want to argue for a gender.
Late Work: Late material will be downgraded at a rate of 10% for the first 24 hours late, and 5% for subsequent 24-hour time periods. As a general rule, extensions will not be granted. Rare exceptions may be made for extenuating circumstances such as family or medical crises.
Incomplete Course Work.
Students are expected to complete all course requirements on or before the last day of the quarter. The grade ‘Incomplete’ is temporary and will be granted only in unusual circumstances (such as serious illness or critical emergencies) and will not be considered for a student who is simply behind in the assignments.
Respectful Participation: When we talk about issues in theology (and film), we are often talking about things that matter deeply to people. Whether or not we agree, we can always respect the courage it takes to voice an opinion. We respect one another by giving space to speak and by not silencing another person through our responses. In learning we will all misspeak or will not say things as clearly as we could have.
Be generous with one another and give your fellow learners the benefit of the doubt.
Technology in Class: During the intensive, you are allowed to take notes on your computer, but please do not use your computer for things not directly related to class. Neither instant messaging nor texting are allowed in class. There is no recording of the class without permission from the instructor.
Accessibility: Please contact the instructor as soon as possible if disability-related accommodations are needed. Accommodations for students with documented disabilities are set up through the office of
Disability Services. Contact Kathy McGillivray, director of Disability Services, at (651) 635-8759.
Harassment Policies : Bethel Seminary is committed to providing a Christ-centered community where students, faculty, and staff can work together in an atmosphere free from all forms of harassment, exploitation, or intimidation, including racial and sexual harassment. All members of the Bethel community are expected to educate themselves about sexual and racial harassment.
Drops/Withdrawals : If you are dropping or withdrawing from a course, it is important to establish your last day of attendance. Please notify the registrar’s office and contact your instructor of your intent to drop or withdraw from a course. Students carrying financial aid, please contact the financial aid office prior to dropping or withdrawing from the course in order to be informed of the consequences of this action on financial aid. If you are in a course that uses distance education delivery (e.g. Blackboard), be sure to sign on to your Blackboard course prior to withdrawing in order to establish the last day of attendance in your course.
Disclaimer and Acknowledgement: For pedagogical purposes, this syllabus and course schedule are subject to change as determined by the professor. Elements of this syllabus have been adapted from previous syllabi created by Glen G. Scorgie and David Congdon.
Academic Course Policies: Please familiarize yourself with the catalog requirements as specified in
Academic Course Policies document found in Blackboard/Moodle. You are responsible for this information, and any academic violations, such as plagiarism, will not be tolerated.
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Movie Theology 2010
CHEDULE
UMMER
A NOTE ON DUE DATES: Each week’s assignments are due by midnight (in the student’s own time zone) on the Sunday that closes out the week. For example, the due date for week one is midnight on
Sunday, June 27. Initial Blackboard discussion posts are due on midnight of Wednesday each week; all subsequent posts are due by midnight on Sunday.
Week
1. (6/21-6/27)
2. (6/28-7/4)
3. (7/5-7/11)
4. (7/12-7/18)
Movie Watching
THEME: Introduction to Theology and Film:
Methodological Considerations in Relating
Christianity and Contemporary Culture
( No films this week )
THEME: What Makes us Human?
Surrogates
Gattaca
Big Fish
Cast Away
Nell
THEME: How do we Relate to the Other?
Elephant Man
Gran Torino
I Am Sam
Crash
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas
THEME: What is Evil?
Flight From Death: The Quest for Immortality
Star Wars
The Matrix
Hotel Rwanda
Requiem for a Dream
Assignment(s)
READ:

Syllabus (read with care please)
 Scharen, “Imagination, Pop Culture, and
Ministry”

Johnston, Ch. 1 and 3
BLACKBOARD:

Blackboard discussion week 1 on methodology

Post an introduction of yourself

Reading completion report
READ:
 Jackelén, “Techno Sapiens”

Johnston, Ch. 4

Genesis 1-2
BLACKBOARD:

Blackboard discussion week 2 on humanity

Movie watching report

Reading completion report
READ:

Yong, Theology and Down Syndrome, Ch. 2 and 6

Johnston, Ch. 6

Acts 10
BLACKBOARD:

Blackboard discussion week 3 on alterity

Post your tentative idea for an integrative research project. Comment on others’ ideas.

Movie watching report

Reading completion report
DUE: Film Reflection #1
READ:
 Ricoeur, “Original Sin: A Study in Meaning”
 Forbes, “Battling the Dark Side”

Romans 5
BLACKBOARD:

Blackboard discussion week 4 on evil

Movie watching report

Reading completion report
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Week
Break (7/19-
7/25)
5. Intensive
(7/26-7/30)
6. (8/2-8/8)
Movie Watching
THEME: What is Redemption?
Avatar (in-class viewing)
Good Will Hunting (in-class viewing)
North Country (in-class viewing)
THEME: What Makes Life Meaningful?
American Beauty
The Philosopher Kings
Crimes and Misdemeanors
The Pursuit of Happyness
Dead Poets Society
7. (8/9-8/15) THEME: A Time to Kill?
Million Dollar Baby
Unforgiven
Dead Man Walking
The Brave One
The Messenger: The Story of Joan of Arc
8. (8/16-8/22) THEME: What is Love?
Titanic
Amelie
Schindler’s List
Life is Beautiful
Precious
Hollingsworth
Movie Theology 2010
Assignment(s)
DUE: Methodology presentation (Thursday or
Friday of intensive)
READ:
 Davis, “Live Free and Die”

Johnston, Ch. 7

Ecclesiastes 1-2
BLACKBOARD:

Blackboard discussion week 6 on the meaning of life

Movie watching report

Reading completion report
READ:
 Deacy and Ortiz, Ch. 5, “A Time to Kill?”

Johnston, Ch. 8

Matthew 5:38-48; Revelation 19:11-16
BLACKBOARD:

Blackboard discussion week 7 on violence

Movie watching report

Reading completion report
DUE: Film Reflection #2
READ:
 Marsh, Ch. 4, “What Films Do To People
(II): Titanic ”
 Oord, “The Love Racket”

Johnston, Ch. 9

1 Corinthians 13
BLACKBOARD:

Blackboard discussion week 8 on love

Movie watching report

Reading completion report
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Week
9. (8/23-8/27)
Movie Watching
THEME: What is to Come?
Children of Men
The Road
I am Legend
What Dreams May Come
The Book of Eli
Hollingsworth
Movie Theology 2010
Assignment(s)
READ:
 Deacy and Ortiz, Ch. 8, “Heaven, Hell, and the Sweet Hereafter”

Johnston, Ch. 10

Matthew 24
BLACKBOARD:

Blackboard discussion week 9 on eschatology and apocalypse

Movie watching report

Reading completion report
DUE: Integrative Research Project (Midnight,
August 27)
DUE: Course Evaluation (Sept. 3)
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