RELG 3315
Clayton Crockett Spring
Semester 2005
Email: ClaytonC@uca.edu
Office Hours: MWF 9-10, 11:30-1,
Office: Harrin 128 TT
10:45-12:00
Phone: 450-5506
Religion and Culture: Postmodern Theology
“There is a religious dimension to all culture. In order to appreciate the
far-reaching implications of religion, it is necessary to move beyond its
manifest forms to examine the more subtle and complex ways in which it
influences personal, social and cultural development. Religion is often most
intriguing and influential where it is least obvious.”
Mark
C. Taylor, The Moment of Complexity
Course Description: This course examines the development of postmodern
theology. We will explore the emerge of contemporary Continental French
philosophy in the 20th century. In addition, we will relate some of
these ideas, which in the
Course Goals: Students will become aware of the importance
of philosophical and religious debates over the nature of postmodernism, and
their implications for contemporary culture. The course will stress theoretical
tools of interpretation over basic assimilation of information. Students will
gain skills of critical thinking, interpretation, and application of important
developments, controversies and debates.
Course Overview: The course will focus on contemporary
sources and debates, while also taking account of historical development and
context. First we will focus on Continental philosophy, and the genesis of
postmodern thought. We will begin by using Caputo’s book, which introduces the
philosophies of Kierkegaard, Heidegger and Derrida in an accessible way. Then
we will directly engage Derrida, by viewing a film and reading a brief but
difficult essay. Next, we will turn to theology, and read a creative
contemporary work by a feminist process theologian, Catherine Keller. Then we
will look at Mark C. Taylor’s philosophy of religion and culture as applied to
money and economic markets. Finally, we will briefly take up Charles Winquist’s
notion of theological thinking as a desiring theology.
Required Texts:
John D. Caputo, Radical Hermeneutics
Jacques Derrida, On the Name
Catherine Keller, The Face of the Deep
Mark C. Taylor, Confidence
Games
Charles E. Winquist,
Desiring Theology
Course
Requirements:
20% Participation. Students are required to attend class and participate in discussions.
Anyone who misses more than eight classes will automatically fail the course. Students will read and discuss primary and secondary sources dealing with contemporary philosophy and theology. Each student will turn in a one-page written response to each class day’s scheduled reading assignment. These papers will be read but not individually graded, although they will help determine the quality and quantity of participation in the class.
60% Response Papers. Students will write three 4-5 page papers, focusing on a central theme of Caputo, Keller and Taylor, respectively. Each paper is due on the date assigned on the course syllabus, and late papers will not be accepted without prior permission. These papers should combine descriptive analysis and critical evaluation. Papers should have a narrow focus; a thesis and theme that undergoes development and draws a significant conclusion. Possible themes will be suggested in class. Each response paper is worth 20% of the final grade.
20% Seminar Paper/Project. Students will compose and turn in a semester research project. This
project may consist of a paper (approximately 10 pages), but it may also make
use of other media that explores and assesses the cultural and religious
significance of postmodern theology. This project may consist of an expansion
of one of the shorter response papers, but should include at least one outside
source in addition to the books read in class. The final project is due in the
instructor’s office or mailbox by the end of the day scheduled for the final
exam.
Participation: 20%
3 Essays: 60% (20% each)
Research Project: 20%
Total: 100%
Grade scale:
A = 90-100%
B = 80-89%
C = 70-79%
D = 60-69%
F = below 60%
Each student is expected to do his or her own work. Any form of academic dishonesty or plagiarism may result in anything from an "F" for the particular assignment, to an "F" for the course, to expulsion from the university (see Student Handbook).
The
Students are responsible to familiarize themselves with the policies listed in the Student Handbook. Special attention should be given to the Sexual Harassment and Academic Policies.
Th. 1/13 Introduction to the Course; Syllabus. First
Text: What “Everybody Knows.”
Tu. 1/18 Philosophy and the Modern World:
Descartes-Nietzsche.
Th. 1/20 What is Postmodernism? Introduction to
Radical Hermeneutics
Read Caputo, Introduction.
Tu.
1/25 Kierkegaard and Repetition
Read Caputo, Chapter I. One page
paper due.
Th. 1/27
Heidegger, Being and Time
Read Caputo, Chapter III. One page
paper due.
Tu. 2/1 Heidegger
after Being and Time
Read Caputo, Chapter IV. One page
paper due.
Th. 2/3
Derrida on Heidegger
Read Caputo, Chapter VI. One page
paper due.
Tu. 2/8
Heidegger/Derrida
Read Caputo, Chapter VII. One page
paper due.
Th. 2/10
Religious Implications
Read Caputo, Chapter X. One page
paper due.
Tu. 2/15
Introduction to Derrida: Derrida
4-5 page response paper on Caputo due.
Th. 2/17
Derrida and the Name
Read “Khora,” part I, pp.89-104. One
page paper due.
Tu. 2/22
Khora, cont.
Read “Khora,” part II-III,
pp.104-119. One page paper due.
Th. 2/24
Khora and God?
Read “Khora,” part IV, pp.119-127.
One page paper due.
Tu. 3/1
Introduction to Keller: Becoming God
Read Keller, Pre/face, Chapter 1.
Th. 3/3
Creation and Orthodoxy
Read Keller, Chapters 2-3. One page
paper due.
Tu. 3/7
Monsters
Read Keller, Chapters 4-5. One page
paper due.
Th. 3/9
Surfacing
Read Keller, Chapters 9-10. One page
paper due.
Tu. 3/15 – Th. 3/17 No Class: Spring Break.
Tu. 3/22
Darkness and Void
Read Keller, Chapters 11-12. One
page paper due.
Th. 3/24
Deep Foam
Read Keller, Chapters 13-14. One page
paper due.
Tu. 3/29 Introduction
to
Read
4-5 page response paper on Keller
due.
Th. 3/31
Paper Trails
Read
Tu. 4/5
Marketing
Read
Th. 4/7
Figuring Capital
Read
Tu. 4/12
Money Matters
Read
Th. 4/14
Specters of Capital
Read
Tu. 4/19
Rustling Religion
Read
Th.
4/21 Desiring Theology
Read Winquist, Preface, Chapter 1.
4-5 page response paper on
Tu. 4/26
Desiring Community
Read Winquist, Chapters 2, 10. One
page paper due.
Th. 4/28
Conclusions.
FINAL
SEMINAR PAPER/PROJECT DUE Tuesday, May 3 by 4:30pm.