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MINS414 Christian Theology and the Arts (Advanced)

An exploration of the role of the arts in expressing, shaping, nourishing and critiquing Christian faith and theology.

Paper title Christian Theology and the Arts (Advanced)
Paper code MINS414
Subject Ministry
EFTS 0.1667
Points 20 points
Teaching period 1st Non standard period (13 February 2023 - 21 June 2023) (Distance learning)
Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) $1,206.91
International Tuition Fees Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website.

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Restriction
PAST 322
Eligibility
Any student can study Theology, whether they are of the Christian faith, another faith or of no religious faith at all. Theology is an examination of the scriptures, history, content and relevance of the Christian faith, but it presupposes or requires no Christian commitment from students. All it requires is an inquiring mind and an interest in those skills that can be gained through the study of any subject in the Humanities.
Contact

Academic Liaison: Professor Murray Rae - email murray.rae@otago.ac.nz

Teaching staff

Dr Adrienne Dengerink Chaplin

Paper Structure

This paper will cover 6 topics:

  • The emergence of ‘art’ and its divorce from religion.
  • Modern art and the quest for the spiritual.
  • Religious references in contemporary art.
  • Protestantism, iconoclasm and ‘neo-Calvinist’ aesthetics.
  • Art, affective experience and embodied meaning.
  • Art in society, socially engaged art, art and church.

Assessment:

  • Classroom Participation
  • One Essay
Teaching Arrangements

The paper will be taught as a five-day compulsory intensive block course in Dunedin from Monday 13 February to Friday 17 February.

Textbooks

There is no textbook for this paper.

Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Interdisciplinary Perspective, Global Perspective, Cultural Understanding, Critical Thinking Information Literacy, Research Skills, Self-Motivation.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.
Learning Outcomes

In order to pass this course, students at 400 level must demonstrate that they have achieved all of the following learning outcomes.

  • Be able to identify different strands of Christian thinking about the relation between faith and art and understand some of their underlying theological and philosophical presuppositions and assumptions.
  • Develop a hermeneutical framework for the interpretation of art including its religious dimensions.
  • Understand the central role of the body and the senses in the making and receiving of art.
  • Develop awareness of art’s role in society, including socially engaged art and art in church.
  • Develop critical tools to analyse key concepts in debates about art and spirituality.

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Timetable

1st Non standard period (13 February 2023 - 21 June 2023)

Location
Dunedin
Teaching method
This paper is taught through Distance Learning
Learning management system
Blackboard

Workshop

Stream Days Times Weeks
Attend
A1 Monday 13:00-16:50 7
Tuesday 09:00-16:50 7
Wednesday 09:00-16:50 7
Thursday 09:00-16:50 7
Friday 09:00-11:50 7