Thesis (M.A.)--San Jose State University, 2006. / Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 78-81).

Thesis (MFA)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2009. / Typescript. Six short films on the skipping of stones is a DVD accompanying the thesis. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Walter Metz. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 34-37).

Religion has become one of the central themes in the Ghanaian/Nigerian video film industry. The portrayal of religious elements which mirrors the religious dynamics of the audience has been attributed partly to the success and popularity of the films. The video films have also excited religious passions as well as criticisms. The heart of the debate, as the existing studies indicate, is how the various religious traditions (often, Christianity and Indigenous religions) are represented in the video films. Whereas some scholars opine that Christianity, especially Pentecostal-Charismatic Churches are frequently privileged, others contend that the religious delineation in the video films reflect experiential issues; the churches are portrayed in line with the niche, positive or otherwise, that they have created for themselves which is well known to producers and the consumers. This study examines the religious constructs in the Ghanaian/Nigerian video films phenomenon. The main focus is an investigation into audience reception of the video films, particularly among the members of Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity in Ghana and the UK. It also explores the appropriation of the religious elements in general and Pentecostal-Charismatic narratives in selected video films. An ethnographic research method, comprising mainly of textual analysis of selected video films; participant observation and qualitative interviews, was used to draw comparative insights from a cross section of members of Action Chapel International and Word Miracle International churches in Accra and London. This thesis contributes to the on-going discourse on the Ghanaian/Nigerian video films and Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity partly popularized by Birgit Meyer and Afe Adogame. Hall’s Encoding/Decoding theoretical framework is used to explore the reception while the Uses and Gratifications theory is also adopted to examine the appropriation of the religious constructs in the Ghanaian/Nigerian video films. Notwithstanding the fluid representations of various religious traditions in Ghanaian/Nigerian video films, the findings show that the reception and uses of the religious narratives in the films by the audience comprise of a synthesis of full embrace on one hand and scepticism on the other. It was found that beyond entertainment, majority of the audience who were members of Pentecostal-Charismatic Christianity focus on the religious significance of the video films. Yet, most pastors and leaders in these churches were not comfortable recommending the video films as a good partner in the religious lives of their members. As this thesis focused on only Pentecostal-Charismatic audience, further research on members of other Christian denominations or religions regarding their self-representation in the video films is recommended. This will help to establish if the reception pattern of other religious groups is complex or linked directly with the portrayal trend of one’s religion.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--New York University, 1978. / Typescript. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 345-352).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--New York University, 1978. / Typescript. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 345-352). Also issued in print.

Diss.--Hamburg. / Bibliography: p 301-304.

This thesis examines the role of Christianity in contemporary American culture using 1990s popular media as cultural artifacts. Building on theories of ideological analysis and hegemony, this project uncovers a balance between progressive and traditionalist ideologies in American culture with progressive ideologies most often superficially acknowledged and incorporated into dominant traditionalist Christian ideologies through hegemonic negotiation. An analysis of the popular Hollywood films The Last Temptation of Christ, Leap of Faith, Michael, City of Angels, Dogma and Keeping the Faith, illustrates this process by addressing Christian dominance in multicultural America, a backlash against feminism constructed through patriarchal and “family values” ideologies, and an integration of popular culture and traditionalist Christianity.

German text / Diese Forschungsarbeit untersucht anhand ausgewählter Verfilmungen wie die Passion Jesu im Prozess gesellschaftlicher Kommunikation präsentiert wird und welche Deutungen ihr gegeben werden. Bei abnehmender christlicher Sozialisation kommt der medialen Vermittlung eine zunehmende Bedeutung zu. Ausgehend von den Kontroversen um eine Darstellung des Lebens Jesu im Film soll gezeigt werden, dass die Passion Jesu als Kerngeschichte des Christentums in diesem Medium erzählt werden kann, was aus theologischer Sicht dabei zu beachten ist und welche kritische Funktion speziell der neutestamentlichen Wissenschaft dabei zukommt. Sowohl die Notwendigkeit audiovisueller Präsentation der Passion als auch deren Interpretation durch begleitende Verkündigung im sozialen Kontext werden herausgearbeitet. / This thesis uses selected films to examine how the passion of Jesus is presented within the process of social communication and which interpretation it is given. The decline of christian socialisation leads to rising importance of communication by media. Starting with the controversies about making films about the life of Jesus it will be shown, that the passion of Jesus as a central story of christianity can be told in this media, what should be observed from a theological point of view and the critical function of especially New Testament scholarship. The necessity of audiovisual presentation of the passion as well as its interpretation completed by preaching within the social context will be shown. / New Testament / M. Th. (New Testament)

German text / Diese Forschungsarbeit untersucht anhand ausgewählter Verfilmungen wie die Passion Jesu im Prozess gesellschaftlicher Kommunikation präsentiert wird und welche Deutungen ihr gegeben werden. Bei abnehmender christlicher Sozialisation kommt der medialen Vermittlung eine zunehmende Bedeutung zu. Ausgehend von den Kontroversen um eine Darstellung des Lebens Jesu im Film soll gezeigt werden, dass die Passion Jesu als Kerngeschichte des Christentums in diesem Medium erzählt werden kann, was aus theologischer Sicht dabei zu beachten ist und welche kritische Funktion speziell der neutestamentlichen Wissenschaft dabei zukommt. Sowohl die Notwendigkeit audiovisueller Präsentation der Passion als auch deren Interpretation durch begleitende Verkündigung im sozialen Kontext werden herausgearbeitet. / This thesis uses selected films to examine how the passion of Jesus is presented within the process of social communication and which interpretation it is given. The decline of christian socialisation leads to rising importance of communication by media. Starting with the controversies about making films about the life of Jesus it will be shown, that the passion of Jesus as a central story of christianity can be told in this media, what should be observed from a theological point of view and the critical function of especially New Testament scholarship. The necessity of audiovisual presentation of the passion as well as its interpretation completed by preaching within the social context will be shown. / New Testament / M. Th. (New Testament)