Email: jeeshan.gazi@rutc.ac.uk
Tel: 0208 6078 339
Office room: 2E7
Workshop time (if you need extra help): Tuesday at 2.00 to 3.10 pm
Lessons times:
IRS1
IRS2
IRS5
With Jeeshan:
With Jeeshan:
With Jeeshan:
Mon: 2.00 (2C12)
Mon: 3.20 (2E6)
Mon: 10.20 (1E8)
Tues: 3.25 (2C12)
Wed: 11.50 (2E6)
Fri: 3.20 (2E6)
With Alison:
With Adrian:
With Alison:
Wed: 10.20 (2E9)
Tue: 2.00 (2E6)
Wed: 9.00 (1E8)
Fri: 9.00 (2E9)
Thu: 9.00 (2E6)
Thu: 10.20 (2E6)
There are four modules we will be studying on this course:
MODULES 1 & 2: The Nature and Purpose of Religious Art
Here you will look at traditional Christian art, comparing it to the art of other religions,
debating freedom of speech and looking at how contemporary art uses religious imagery
today.
MODULE 3: Religion, Art and Pop Culture
This is split into two sections: Fiction and Humour.
For ‘Humour’ we will look at things like The Simpsons and Futurama, as well as
scripture, to look at the relationship between religion and humour.
For ‘Fiction’ you will read and study two pieces of fiction: ‘Franny and Zooey’ by JD
Salinger (a short prose novel) and ‘Watchmen’ by Alan Moore (a graphic novel).
VERY IMPORTANT: YOU NEED TO READ THESE TWO BOOKS FOR
‘RELIGION, ART AND POPCULTURE’ (MODULE 3) OF THE COURSE
There should be three copies of each novel in the college library.
Though buying them should cost less than £20 and you can sell them back to
the college book shop (though not at full price) at the end of the year.
You will have to read and
complete ‘Franny and Zooey’
for a homework due in at the
first half term
(2ND NOVEMBER).
So get this novel and read it
ASAP.
‘Watchmen’ will have to be read
and the homework handed in
first lesson after xmas.
We will study both books in
class in January.
MODULE 4: Cyber Religion and TV Religion
Again, this is split into two sections: cyber religion and TV religion.
For ‘cyber religion’ you will look at virtual religion (interactive sites like Second Life) as
well as looking at the breadth of religious websites and communication online.
For ‘TV religion’ we will look at how British broadcasting of religion has changed and
will focus on the televangelists of America.
As with the ‘Philosophy of Religion’ course that you will be studying with either Adrian or
Allison, the written exam for ‘Religion, Art and the Media’ will be sat in either May or June
2010.
There is no coursework for either course, but you will have to answer four essay length
questions in each exam.
This is why hand written homework is extremely important, we need to help guide your
writing and make sure you are up to standard.
Lack of completion of homework will result in your removal from the course.
ALL RESOURCES USED IN CLASS CAN BE FOUND AT:
WWW.RICHMOND-PHILOSOPHY.NET OR ON BLACKBOARD
The sources of authority in religion are the things that
Q. What
we faith
mean or
bybelief
‘sources
of religious
authority’?
provide
or do
build
in religious
worshippers.
THE SOURCES OF RELIGIOUS AUTHORITY
RELIGIOUS ART
The communication of theological concepts through
visual imagery.
SCRIPTURE
The holy texts of a religion. Primary scripture are holy
books like the Bible and Qu’ran. Secondary scripture are
guidance notes like the Catechisms (for Catholics), and
the Hadiths (for Muslims).
TRADITION
These are the customs and practices of a faith. Tradition
is enforced by the organisational aspect of a religion:
church leaders / imams etc,
RELIGIOUS
EXPERIENCE
Religious experience is private and subjective. They are
said to take several forms, such as visions (e.g. the
burning bush), mystical experiences (e.g. St. Teresa’s
spiritual marriage), and conversion (which is usually the
result of any of the previous types).
REASON
Reason is the opposite of ‘blind’ faith, it is when a
believer takes a rational approach to his or her faith to
gain a further understanding of their faith, e.g. through
debate and logical argumentation.
RELIGIOUS ART ENGAGING WITH SCRIPTURE
ILLUMINATED
MANUSCRIPTS
STAINED GLASS
WINDOWS
RELIGIOUS ART ENGAGING WITH TRADITION
SYMBOLS
FESTIVAL:
THE DAY OF THE DEAD
RELIGIOUS ART INDUCING RELIGIOUS EXPERIENCE
ICONS
RELIGIOUS ART ENGAGING WITH REASON