Content

This unit provides an opportunity for students to explore philosophical, theological, and biblical issues, as well as aspects of spirituality and cultural hermeneutics through exposure to the medium of film. The course will introduce some of the key tools appropriate to the interpretation of visual representation, drawing on insights from film studies. Five ‘core’ films will be watched and be the basis for seminar reflection and further reading. Students will be prepared to engage in their own independent research on film(s) of their choice. As well as providing a general framework for interpreting the relationship between Christian faith and film, students will be encouraged to develop a more in depth understanding of either the religious, theological, biblical, pastoral, spiritual or missiological aspects of film as a specific manifestation of the visual arts.

Unit code: AR9089P

Unit status: Archived (New unit)

Points: 24.0

Unit level: Postgraduate Elective

Unit discipline: Religious Studies

Delivery Mode: Online

Proposing College: Pilgrim Theological College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Provide a critical review of the key elements of film analysis in relation to selected examples of contemporary filmmaking

2.

Identify and reflect upon the explicit and implicit presence of biblical and theological themes, motifs, allusions, and treatments in at least two examples of contemporary film making.

3.

Integrate their prior theological learning into the study of film, and articulate the nature of this integration explicitly in both oral and written environments

4.

Develop independent research and critical theological reflection on a selected film

Pedagogy

Introductory lectures; worked examples; seminar discussion; seminar presentation

Indicative Bibliography

  • Blizek, William L., ed. The Continuum Companion to Religion and Film. London: Continuum, 2009.
  • Chatman, Seymour. Story and Discourse: Narrative Structure in Fiction and Film. Ithaca / London: Cornell University Press, 1978.
  • Christianson, Eric S., Peter Francis, and William R. Telford, eds. Cinema Divinité: Religion, Theology and the Bible in Film. London: SCM, 2005.
  • Copier, Laura and Caroline Vander Stichele, eds. Close Encounters Between Bible and Film: An Interdisciplinary Engagement. Semeia Studies 87. Atlanta: SBL, 2017.
  • Deacy, Christopher and Gayle Williams Ortiz. Theology and Film: Challenging the Sacred/Secular Divide. Oxford: Blackwell, 2008.
  • Johnston, Robert K. Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids MI: Baker Academic, 2006.
  • Johnston, Robert K., ed. Reframing Theology and Film: New Focus for an Emerging Discipline. Grand Rapids MI: Baker Academic, 2007.
  • Lyden, John C., ed. The Routledge Companion to Religion and Film. London: Routledge, 2009.
  • Lyden, John C. Film as Religion: Myths, Morals, Rituals. New York: New York University Press, 2003.
  • Marsh, Clive and Gayle Ortiz, eds. Explorations in Theology and Film: Movies and Meaning. Malden MA: Blackwells, 1998.
  • Walsh, Richard. Finding St. Paul in Film. New York: T & T Clark International, 2005.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Seminar or Tutorial

Seminar presentation on a chosen film, or group of films based on independent research. (3000 words / 45 minutes seminar presentation)

0 50.0
Essay

Critical analysis of film from ‘core list’ drawing on insights of film studies and identifying key biblical/theological/spiritual themes. (3000 words)

0 50.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 1 Nov, 2017

Unit record last updated: 2022-10-27 12:31:48 +1100