SYLLABUS

Religion/Philosophy 325
Theology on Film
Th 1:00-5:00 PM
Classroom: N316
Office: N321
email: gcaichele@gmail.com
WWW page: http:http://home.comcast.net/~gcaichele/

Definition and Limits of This Course:

This is an upper level course on inter-relationships between philosophical and religious thought and recent cinema. Our object is twofold: 1) Reflection on the significance of narrative, and particularly its relevance to contemporary motion pictures; and 2) The portrayal of theologically or philosophically significant events or concepts in recent movies.

Our concern is to develop sensitivity to the different ways in which stories can be told, the way the telling reflects different conceptual structures, what happens when a story is "translated" (from print or oral tradition) into film/videotape, what sorts of stories can be told in various media (oral, print, movies), and the theological and philosophical significance of stories in human life.

This course has as prerequisite any one previous college course in either philosophy or religion. No special background in philosophy, theology, or film studies is required; however, students will be expected to be able to read, write, and discuss relevant material at an advanced level. The course will be taught in seminar fashion, and each student will be responsible for active participation in general discussion.

Required Texts:

• S. Chatman, Story and Discourse
• G. Aichele, The Limits of Story (online)
• G. Aichele, "Matthew's Gospel According to Pasolini" (online)
• Bible: the gospel of Matthew

Resource:

A lot of valuable information about movies, directors, writers, actors, etc. can be found on the World Wide Web. One source of valuable information about nearly any movie ever made, including all those below, and with links to many further pages, is the Internet Movie Database at http://www.imdb.com/.

Other (non-movie) WWW links that may be of use to you can be found at http://home.comcast.net/~gcaichele/other/links.htm.

Course (Grade) Requirements:

• Active participation in discussion of films viewed and weekly reading assignments: 50% of final grade.
• Average of (14) weekly grades on brief written response statements (details below): 50% of final grade.
• Grade improvement option: see below for details.
• There will be no exams.

Schedule of Films and Reading Assignments:

Each week several questions will be assigned to the class. These questions will relate to the reading assignment and/or the film viewed that week. A short (2-3 page maximum) written response to each set of questions will be due no later than 1:00 PM of the following Tuesday. Except for the first week, you are expected to have completed the reading assignment prior to class.

NOTE: this class meets once a week. and you can't participate (50% of your grade) if you're not there! Normally class will end by 4:00 PM, but some movies run longer than others, and you should be prepared to stay somewhat later than that if necessary. Late papers will not be accepted without prior arrangement. More than 5 typing, spelling, and/or grammatical errors (on any paper) will result in a lowered grade!

8/29
Introduction: What is Theology? and How to Watch (or Not Watch) a Film.
Read Chatman, 9-42.

9/5
2001: A Space Odyssey.
Read: Chatman, 43-63.
Vote for Final Film (nominations).

9/12
Big Fish.
Read: Chatman, 63-95.
Vote for Final Film (round 1).

9/19
The Gospel According to St. Matthew.
Read: online Aichele article.
Vote for Final Film (round 2).

9/26
Easy Rider.
Read Chatman, 96-126.

10/3
Local Hero.
Read Chatman, 126-145.

Part 2: God and World.

10/17
Pleasantville.
Read: Aichele, 3-44.

10/24
Blade Runner.
Read Chatman, 146-161.

10/31
Chocolat.
Read Chatman, 161-173.

11/7
Matewan.
Read: Aichele, 45-84.

11/14
Do the Right Thing.
Read Chatman, 173-195.

11/21
Bend It Like Beckham.
Read Chatman, 196-226.

11/28
Down and Out in Beverly Hills.
Read Chatman, 226-267.

12/5
Lost in Translation.
Read Aichele, 85-117.

OPTIONAL PAPERS DUE, December 11 by 12 noon.

"FINAL EXAM," scheduled exam time. This will be a film to be chosen by the class. No paper will be required for this film; however, your attendance will count toward your participation grade. The last required written assignment (on the film, Lost in Translation) is due no later than the scheduled final exam period.

OPTIONAL RESEARCH PAPER:

Students wishing to write an optional research paper must negotiate the topic with the instructor no later than November 12. Topic may be any one of the following:

1. Detailed analysis of a single film (not a film shown for this course -- for example, Dogma or Michael) in terms of theological aspects.
2. Analysis of several films by a single director (for example, the "Star Wars" series, or the films of Peter Jackson) in terms of theological aspects.
3. Analysis of the views of a particular theologian or philosopher (for example, Paul Tillich or Albert Camus) on narrative, the arts, and especially the cinema.
4. Analysis of the representation of a philosophical or religious movement (for example, existentialism or Judaism, but also any social movement with appropriate implications, such as feminism, communism, colonialism, etc.) in one or more films.
5. Other possible topics, subject to my approval -- I am willing to discuss any ideas that you may have.

I would prefer that you choose your topic (subject to my approval), but I will be happy to make recommendations or to discuss rough drafts with you. A grade of either A or B on this paper will raise the overall average for either your written response papers or for your class participation, whichever is lower, by one letter grade (for example, a B- average will become an A-). A grade less than B- on this paper will have no effect on your grade average.

The paper should be 15-20 pages long (word-processed only, double spaced), including bibliography and footnotes. Failure to note direct or indirect quotations will be regarded as plagiarism. Due date: December 11, noon – absolutely no exceptions!