MCCCD Program Description

Religion and Film

Course: REL200

First Term: 2011 Spring

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Academic
Load Formula: S

Description: A course examining the relationships between religion and film, with particular attention to representations of religious beliefs, institutions, and practices in film and their reception by various audiences.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Identify basic elements of traditional film study, including the technical components of a film and past and contemporary film genres. (I, II, III) 2. Explore specific interests of religious studies in film analysis. (IV) 3. Analyze significant roles of religion in film narrative. (V) 4. Explore relationships between film style and aesthetics and religious imagery. (VI) 5. Describe cultural and religious contexts of film production and reception. (VII) 6. Examine audience reception and interpretation of films with religious motifs. (VIII) 7. Discuss film as potential site of religious experience. (IX)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Technical Components of Film A. Screenplay B. Cinematography C. Acting D. Mise-en-sc?ne E. Directing F. Editing II. Film Genres A. Comedy B. Drama C. Western D. Action/Adventure E. Mystery F. Horror /Sci-Fi III. Film Theory Approaches A. Formalism B. Psychoanalytic C. Marxist D. Sociological/Anthropological E. Cultural studies F. Gender theory IV. Religious Studies Interest in Film A. Film as documentary or ethnography B. Film as site of theological and/or philosophical reflection C. Film as site of religious/spiritual biography D. Film as site of mythmaking or remaking E. Film as site of religious experience F. Film as reflection of trends in religious identities and practice G. Film as a religious consumer good H. Film as site of religious critique or critique of religion I. Film as site of secularization V. Religion and Narrative A. Role of religion in story and plotting B. Role of religion in character formation and dynamics C. Role of religion in theme VI. Religion and Style A. Religious imagery and aesthetic choices B. Religious influence on audio-visual dimensions 1. Mise-en-sc?ne 2. Cinematography 3. Editing 4. Sound VII. Religion and Context of Film Production/Reception A. Historical contexts B. Religious contexts C. Economic contexts D. Social contexts E. Role of above contexts in religious representational practices VIII. Religion, Film, and Audience Reception A. Reviews B. Film criticism C. Fan activities D. Box office receipts E. Government documents F. Church campaigns and lobbying efforts IX. Film and Religious Experience A. Site of proselytization / conversion B. Site of mystical / transcendent experience C. Site of contemplation D. Filmic and religious experience compared with institutional knowledge and doctrine

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: 12/11/2007

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.