Youth, Culture and Mission

THL354

This subject explores the cultures in which young people are immersed and the impact these have on communication and religious self-understanding. Consideration is given to the way that Christian mission may be enacted within this context. The subject also examines ways of communicating the gospel to the post-Christian mindset by analysing popular culture.

Duration

One Semester

Semester 1 every odd year

8

Elective

On site at St Francis College Milton; or Externally – log in to listen and participate or view the lecture via video later.

THL115, THL120 and THL238 (recommended)

Prescribed Texts

Assessments

Content

This subject will cover the following topics:

• What is culture?

• The factors that impact youth culture: individualism, consumerism, digital technology, economic inequality, friends and family

• Reading cultures: movies, television and the net, music and art, print media

• The gospel as a transformative force in culture

• Learning to speak within culture as an authentic, proximal and intelligible witness

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this subject, students should:

• be able to critically review and analyse contemporary issues impacting on Australian culture with particular reference to youth;

• be able to demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge of how immersion in a digital world influences young people;

• be able to analyse and critically evaluate key features of popular culture;

• be able to articulate the relevance of popular culture and communicate this in ministry settings;

• be able to contextualize and communicate an appropriate missional response to a particular cultural group in Australia; and

• be able to demonstrate self-guided learning, including advanced research, writing and communication skills.