|
RELS 237 |
Assistant
Professor
of New
Testament
Department
(613) 533-6000
fax: (613) 533-6879
of
Religious
Studies
Theological Hall
Kingston, ON
Canada, K7L 3N6
x78066
| Course Description |
Film has become an increasingly important medium for reflecting and constructing culture. This course will explore how religion is portrayed in film, noting particularly the depiction of religious belief, practices, practitioners, and institutions, and the use of religious symbols and metaphors. Using the medium of film we will also explore important questions about religious values, human rights, and the competing ideologies of the contemporary world. Since the majority of films used will be "popular" films (although some art films will be included) students will explore how films reflect and shape world-views and how a religious vision is expressed through the medium of film. Students will move beyond viewing films as mere entertainment to understanding them as multi-layered texts that use audio, visual, and other referents. The course will concentrate on the power of images in particular, as they pertain to conveying aspects of religion.