St. Joseph’s College
www.stjosephscollege.ca
CHRTC 341
Contemporary Film and Christian Values
Spring
Instructor Name: Dr. Bryan Clarke
Office: HUB 169C
Telephone: 587-785-4344 (cell)
E-mail: [email protected]
Course Time: May 9th to June 15th
Course Location: Online
Office Hours: By appointment
eClass: U of Alberta Online
Course Prerequisite: None
Community Service Learning component: None
Past or Representative Evaluative Course Material: N/A
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Contemporary film and Christian values is an analysis and discussion of various
Hollywood and foreign films, including a presentation of the elements of film. The
analysis of various films stems from the perspective of theology (theological reflection),
that is, the anthropological, Christological, ecclesiological, pastoral and spiritual aspects
found in film, i.e., the relationship between the individual and community, God and
humanity, the Church and society, love and hate, good and evil, truth and falsehood,
beauty and sin. This course will enable the student to be open to the study of how film
reflects or does not reflect the values of western society and/or the Church and will
further allow her/him to critique both the theological themes and cinematography of the
required films.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
To bring the student to a greater appreciation of film as a medium for the way the
human person, the community, and the divine are interpreted; the role film plays within
our society and Church; to analyze the elements of film and to develop the skills/lenses
required to review movies; to help form a critical mind through the employment of the
“movie review.”
WEEKLY THEMES (from textbook)
Affirming our humanity, beauty, imagination and creativity, choosing life, embracing
our vocation, reconciliation within families, racial reconciliation, forgiveness,
community and friendship, faith, faith and doubt, living our faith, images of the Saviour,
renewing the church.
DISCLAIMER
This course is not about how to make a movie or to produce a film. The
instructor has no experience in the filmmaking industry or in the following
areas: scriptwriting, directing, acting, editing, production or sound design.
The focus is theological reflection. Due to the online nature of the course (6
weeks goes fast) see introductory videos and the documents on E-Class to
aide with effective online learning as to the importance of regular
engagement with E-Class.
Online Courses and Learning:
In most cases, students taking this course have never taken an online course before.
Don’t worry about that. Previous experience shows that most students pick up the
online methodology quickly.
You need to be aware that this course is not self-directed learning, nor is it independent
study. Like any university class that you have taken there is a timetable for this class. As
a Spring Session course, we will go through one module with several parts each week
(envision one module as 2 sets of Tuesday and Thursday classes). You need to keep up
with that schedule as assignments will be due at end of each module. Also you must
actively participate in the online discussion portion of the course on a regular, ongoing,
and persistent basis. It is like an electronic check on your attendance.
COURSE REQUIREMENTS
20 points Reflective Essay – The Stories that Shape Us
60 points Film Reviews —write a review of three films (20 points each) from course
listing or as agreed upon with instructor. The last review will be due the final day of class
and be a synthesis of what you have learned (See Assignments Outline on E-Class also
video lecture).
20 points Group Forum Participation – be sure to participate in your group forum, and
module project work. Guidelines will be given as to posting protocol – typically 2-3
posts per the 6 modules.
Technology Issues:
This course uses the University of Alberta’s eClass learning system. It is to be accessed at
the upper right hand corner of the University’s main web page. You can access this
course from any computer connected to the Internet anywhere in the world. The eClass
site for this course will open on May 9th, course finishes June 17th and will close by end
of June.
Disclaimer - Finding Movies
In using a movie for a film review it is expected that students will do this in an ethical
manner. Many movies can be found on Netflix, Shomi, or YouTube, some might have a
small cost, others are free at the local library. If you have DVD or BlueRay movies that
you have access to and would like to review, please email ahead of time for approval.
Approval is based on whether movie will be applicable to the course themes listed in the
Class Schedule.
Participation and Late Assignments
Participation in the discussion forum of the various films is imperative as there will be a
variety of projects, group discussions, reflections and assignments, for each Module as
well as mini-lectures applicable to your reviews and assignments. Late reviews will not
be accepted unless an extension is granted by special permission. You must have written
permission to have an extension granted (Email). Assignments must be uploaded to EClass by the time requested. If your paper is late without email permission for an
extension, you will receive a penalty of 15% on the first day it is late and 5% per day
after.
Other “Stuff”:
Your assignments will have detailed instructions and evaluation rubrics. All assignments
and tests in this course are to be submitted digitally. No paper assignments or tests will
be accepted. Students in this section of the course must be proficient at electronic
submissions of papers and tests. Students will quickly become skilled at using the eClass
system for all work in this course. Please feel free to request a meeting with the
instructor in person by email.
Required and Recommended Texts:
Required
Barsotti, C.M. & Johnston, R.K. (2004) Finding God in the movies: 33 films of reel
faith. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.
Note: There are textbooks (11 copies as of April) available in the bookstore but this book
can also be purchased on Amazon, or for a substantial savings on Kindle ($12.99) with
the available free app. The first part of the book is also available on Google Books for
free.
Recommended
Higgens, G. (2003). How movies helped save my soul. Lake Mary, FL: Relevant Books.
Johnston, Robert. (2007) Reel Spirituality: Theology and Film in Dialogue. Grand
Rapids: Baker Academic. ISBN 0-8010-3187-7
**This text is suggested for those who want to dig deeper and do further exploration of
the topics. This work is used and summarized in some of the short video lectures.
Nichols, Bill. (2010). Engaging Cinema: An Introduction to Film Studies. New York: W.
W. Norton & Company. ISBN-10: 0393934918 ISBN-13: 978-03939349151
For those looking at further work in film studies
Stone, H., & Duke, J. (2013). How to think theologically. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress
Press.
Due Dates for Assignments:
(20%) May 16th Reflective Essay – The Stories that are Shaping You – Personal Lens
(20%) May 23rd (Review 1) Lenses – Scriptural Narrative, and Literary (Plots)
(20%) June 2nd (Review 2) Lenses – Film, Filmmaker, Viewer, and Worldview
(20%) June 17th (Review 3) Synthesis from scripture, story, plots, personal, film,
filmmaker, viewer and worldview. Creativity is encouraged to bring all lenses together.
(20%) Participation in Group Forums and Module Projects
FILMS
Along with any film that is in your textbook, the following films will be accepted for
analysis: The Hunger Games, Rudy, The Godfather, The Mission, Amazing Grace, Liar
Liar, Cinderella Man, Les Miserables, The Count of Monte Cristo, The Flying Scotsman,
Blindness, City of God, Life is Beautiful, The Rite, The Blind Side, Pan’s Labyrinth, Into
The Wild, Psycho, The Fountain, The Motorcycle Diaries, Dead Man Walking, Maria
Full of Grace, Matrix, Moulin Rouge, Mother Teresa, The Lives of Others, The Life of Pi,
Shawshank Redemption, 2081, The Hobbit, Superman, Calvary, Inside Out, Zootopia,
Star Wars, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings Trilogy, X-Men, and current Marvel movies.
(Any other film must be approved by the instructor).
**Notice this is a diverse listing as course seeks to engage a wide scope of movie and is
not restricted to what is sometimes labelled a “Christian” movie. If you are highly
sensitive to movie content it is suggested you look at IMDB site first.
NOTE: As mentioned above, with permission students may also do a review on one of
our textbook movie listings (Barsotti and Johnston) but it is not suggested to do more
than one movie from the textbook for the Reviews. It is encouraged to step out and
explore some new ground.
Required Notes
“Policy about course outlines can be found in Section 23.4(2) of the University
Calendar.”
Academic Integrity
“The University of Alberta is committed to the highest standards of academic integrity
and honesty. Students are expected to be familiar with these standards regarding
academic honesty and to uphold the policies of the University in this respect. Students
are particularly urged to familiarize themselves with the provisions of the Code of
Student Behaviour (online at
http://www.governance.ualberta.ca/en/CodesofConductandResidenceCommunityStan
dards/CodeofStudentBehaviour.aspx ) and avoid any behaviour that could potentially
result in suspicions of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation of facts and/or
participation in an offence. Academic dishonesty is a serious offence and can result in
suspension or expulsion from the University.”
Learning and working environment
The Faculty of Arts is committed to ensuring that all students, faculty and staff are able
to work and study in an environment that is safe and free from discrimination and
harassment. It does not tolerate behaviour that undermines that environment. The
department urges anyone who feels that this policy is being violated to:
• Discuss the matter with the person whose behaviour is causing concern; or
• If that discussion is unsatisfactory, or there is concern that direct discussion is
inappropriate or threatening, discuss it with the Chair of the Department.
For additional advice or assistance regarding this policy you may contact the student
ombudservice: (http://www.ombudservice.ualberta.ca/ ). Information about the
University of Alberta Discrimination and Harassment Policy and Procedures is
described in UAPPOL at
https://policiesonline.ualberta.ca/PoliciesProcedures/Pages/DispPol.aspx?PID=110 .
Academic Honesty:
All students should consult the information provided by the Office of Judicial Affairs
regarding avoiding cheating and plagiarism in particular and academic dishonesty in
general (see the Academic Integrity Undergraduate Handbook and Information for
Students). If in doubt about what is permitted in this class, ask the instructor.
An instructor or coordinator who is convinced that a student has handed in work that he
or she could not possibly reproduce without outside assistance is obliged, out of
consideration of fairness to other students, to report the case to the Associate Dean of
the Faculty. See the Academic Discipline Process .
Recording of Lectures:
Audio or video recording of lectures, labs, seminars or any other teaching environment
by students is allowed only with the prior written consent of the instructor or as a part of
an approved accommodation plan. Recorded material is to be used solely for personal
study, and is not to be used or distributed for any other purpose without prior written
consent from the content author(s).
Attendance, Absences, and Missed Grade Components:
Regular attendance is essential for optimal performance in any course. In cases of
potentially excusable absences due to illness or domestic affliction, notify your
instructor by e-mail within two days. Regarding absences that may be excusable and
procedures for addressing course components missed as a result, consult sections
23.3(1) and 23.5.6 of the University Calendar. Be aware that unexcused absences will
result in partial or total loss of the grade for the “attendance and participation”
component(s) of a course, as well as for any assignments that are not handed-in or
completed as a result.
Student Accessibility Services:
If you have special needs that could affect your performance in this class, please let me
know during the first week of the term so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
If you are not already registered with Student Accessibility Services, contact their office
immediately ( 2-800 SUB; Email [email protected]; Email; phone 780-492-3381;
WEB www.ssds.ualberta.ca ).
Grading
Marks for assignments, tests, and exams are given in percentages, to which letter grades
are also assigned, according to the table below. The percentage mark resulting from the
entire term work and examination then produces the final letter grade for the course.
Descriptor
Excellent
Good
Satisfactory
Poor Minimal Pass
Failure
Letter Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
F or F4
Grade Point Value
4.0
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0.0