THEOREL 101

Bible and Popular Culture


Please note: this is archived course information from 2018 for THEOREL 101.

Description

This course introduces you to the various ways that biblical themes, images and characters have an enduring presence and influence within contemporary popular culture. By learning to analyse religious and biblical references found in music, film, TV, art, advertising and the media, you will discover that, even in today’s increasingly secular world, the Bible continues to both influence and be influenced by our cultural, political and religious landscapes.

Some of the cultural texts we'll be studying will include:

  • Movies such as Noah, Exodus: God and Kings, Wonder Woman, Son of God and Harry Potter
  • Music from artists such as Kanye West, Beyonce and Bob Marley
  • Politics and social media, including individuals such as Russell Brand, Winston Peters and Donald Trump
  • Influential cultural figures, including Martin Luther King Jr., Malala Yousavzai and Harvey Milk
  • TV shows such as The West Wing, Orange is the New Black and The Simpsons
  • Visual arts and advertising images that depict biblical themes and characters, including Adam and Eve
  • Literature, such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The class will interest you regardless of your knowledge of the Bible. Any student can study the Bible whether they are of the Jewish or Christian faith, another faith, or of no religious faith at all. The Bible is explored as a cultural text in this course and all we require from students is a desire to learn more about significance and influence of the Bible as a cultural text in contemporary cultures both national and global. 

View the course syllabus

Availability 2018

Semester 2

Lecturer(s)

Coordinator(s) Dr Caroline Blyth

Reading/Texts

There is no textbook for the course, but students will be required to have access to a Bible (either hard copy or online at https://www.biblegateway.com/).

Points

THEOREL 101: 15 points

Restrictions

THEOLOGY 101, 101G