Institute of Pastoral Studies

Peter Gilmour

IPS, Loyola Univ.
6525 N. Sheridan Rd.
Chicago, IL
U.S.A., 60626

(773) 508-6016
1-800-424-1238
fax: (773) 508-2319
pgilmou@luc.edu
http://homepages.
luc.edu/~pgilmou

Richard Ascough

Queen's
Theological College
Kingston, Ontario
Canada, K7L 3N6

(613) 533-6000 x78066
fax: (613) 533-6879 rsa@post.queensu.ca
http://post.
queensu.ca/~rsa

This course will undertake an investigation of celluloid stories of Jesus. Four films about Jesus and numerous film clips will be viewed together and discussed in class. Both socio-rhetorical reading of the Gospels arising from current biblical scholarship and readings of the films arising from narrative theology will be emphasized. The various dimensions of each film’s presentation, what it tells us about Jesus, what it tells us about those who made the film, and about those who watch the film will be explored. Participants will consider their own stories of Jesus and various stories from other cultures in light of these cinematic presentations.

Course participants will become familiar with emerging Christologies from contemporary cinema, will learn how contemporary biblical scholarship enhances or diminished these current stories of Jesus, and will appreciate narrative as a unique language of truth. Additionally, course participants will be introduced both to cinematic resources and to approaches helpful in a variety of ministerial settings, from parish adult education groups to formal school settings.

Note: The instructors reserve the right to change any aspect of the course at any point before or during the course.

Required Readings (before the week of classes)

Robert Phillip Kolker, Film, Form, and Culture (New York: McGraw Hill, 1998). Be sure to also use the accompanying CD-ROM.

Marcus Borg, Meeting Jesus Again for the First Time: The Historical Jesus and the Heart of Contemporary Faith (San Francisco: Harper Collins, 1994).

Kevin Brandt, Story as a Way of Knowing (Kansas City, MO: Sheed and Ward, 1997)

Suggested Films to View Before the Week of Classes

• King of Kings, Nicholas Ray, 1961; 170 min.

• Greatest Story Ever Told, George Stevens, 1965; 199 min.

• Godspell, David Greene, 1973; 103 min.

• Jesus of Nazareth, Franco Zeffirelli, 1977; 382 min.

• Monty Python’s Life of Brian, Terry Jones, 1979; 94 min.

• Gospel According to St. Matthew, Pier Pasolini, 1966; 136 min.

• Jesus Christ, Superstar, Norman Jewison, 1973; 108 min.

• Last Temptation of Christ, Martin Scorese, 1988; 163 min.

• The Miracle Maker, S. Sokolov and D. Hayes, 2000; 87 min.

• Jesus of Montreal, Denys Arcand, 1989; 119 min.

• Full participation in class discussions.

• A paper of 10 – 12 pages, double-spaced, on one of the following topics:

  Using the theme established in the class, "on reversing the hermeneutical flow," select one of the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew; Mark; Luke) and read it in its entirety, preferably in one sitting. Using the various films from the course as a lens through which to view this Gospel, how has your reading of the text changed, expanded, altered, deepened, etc.

  Select a specific ministerial situation and create a learning program built around Jesus in film. Describe the program, identify your audience, state your learning objectives for the participants, select the films to be used, the rationale for your choices and how you will specifically proceed with each film, i.e., input from teacher (yourself), follow up activities, other appropriate strategies.

  The paper is due no later than July 28, 2001.
  Please submit two copies of your paper, one copy to each instructor.

For bibliography and web resources please see http://post.queensu.ca/~rsa/realreel.htm.

General course resources can be found at http://post.queensu.ca/~rsa/resources.htm.