Content

This unit examines depictions of Jesus in film, including a growing number of non-western films, and seeks to examine the cinematic reimagining of traditional images of Christ. It will also consider how modern theological and biblical scholarship has informed the development of such images, our appreciation/understanding of these films, and their reception within the cultural landscape.

Unit code: CT3019W

Unit status: Approved (New unit)

Points: 18.0

Unit level: Undergraduate Level 3

Unit discipline: Systematic Theology

Delivery Mode: Face to Face

Proposing College: Whitley College

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Learning outcomes

1.

Critically engage with film as a dynamic tool for theological reflection and social commentary.

2.

Articulate how films may offer expression to their understanding of their Christology

3.

Identify the social, cultural and theological sources that inform cinematic expressions of Christ.

4.

Critique the biblical, theological and cultural motifs that inform their interpretaions of the images of Christ presented in film.

Unit sequence

One foundation in Field D and one foundation in field in Field C

Pedagogy

This unit encourages students to engage with theoretical & cinematic soucres, applying them to the students Christological frameworks. They are prompted to reflect weekly upon their readings/viewings, and to develop a link between their viewing and their theological frameworks. Through content delivery, theological reflection methods, specific film studies, discussion groups and assessment tools, learning opportunities will be offered.

Indicative Bibliography

  • Baugh, L. Imaging the Divine: Jesus and Christ – Figures in Film. Lanham: Maryland, Rowman & Littlefield, 1997
  • Mitchell, Jolyon, and S. Brent Plate, eds. The Religion and Film Reader. New York: Routledge, 2007.
  • Lyden, John C. Film as Religion: Myths, Morals and Rituals. New York: New York University Press, 2003.
  • Anker, Roy. Catching Light: Looking for God in the Movies. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2004.
  • Ferrell, William K. Literature and Film as Modern Mythology. Westport: Praeger, 2000.
  • Fraser, Peter. Images of the Passion: The Sacramental Mode in Film. Trowbridge: Flicks Books, 1998.
  • Stone, Bryan P., Faith and Film. St. Louis: Chalice Press, 2000.
  • Tatum, W. Barnes. Jesus at the Movies: A Guide to the First Hundred Years. California: Poleridge Press, 1997.
  • Brinkman, Martien E. Jesus Incognito: The Hidden Christ in Western Art Since 1960. Amsterdam: Rodopi, 2013.
  • Kärkkäinen, Veli-Matti. Christology: A Global Introduction. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2003.

Assessment

Type Description Word count Weight (%)
Report

Report (1500 words)

1500 30.0
Essay

Essay (2,500 words)

2500 50.0
Critical Review

Critical Review (1000 words)

1000 20.0
Approvals

Unit approved for the University of Divinity by John Capper on 27 Sep, 2019

Unit record last updated: 2019-11-11 10:10:42 +1100