Films have the capability of doing more than just entertaining us; they provide a literal lens for us to see more intimately the world in which we live. They are an important means of cultural communication, highlighting shared human struggles and providing a space for us to pause and reflect on our place and purpose in the world. In some cases they even inspire a call to action, creating social impact.

As authors Robert K. Johnston and Catherine M. Barsotti note in their book Finding God in the Movies, film also has the power to stimulate or communicate theological reflection in the viewer. When we watch a film, we might listen for its message and then compare and contrast it with the message of the Word of God. What truth can we draw from the film or where is truth being misrepresented? How might we engage others in a conversation around spiritual truth drawing from examples in the film? In this series of courses, participants will discover how films can be part of our toolbox to engage with others in two-way meaningful conversations about the discourses of society, with a focus on the search for Truth.

This second course in the series focuses on moving beyond us and them and highlighting narratives that perpetuate differences that lead to divisive discourse and taking sides, relating to race; culture and ethnicity; gender; religion; politics; economic status; age, ageism, and generational differences; educational level; unhealthy competition; pandemic-related divisions (vaccine/anti-vaxxer, mask/anti-masker), as well as narratives that counter the assumptions behind the divisions of humanity and honor our oneness, true human nature and inherent nobility. We’ll be looking at the example of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá and how He envisioned moving towards greater unity and embracing the Oneness of Humankind.

Note: The first course in the series focused on race and gender. The teachings of Baháʼu'lláh, Founder of the Bahá'í Faith, emphasize both the oneness of humankind and the equality of women and men, noting that all have a purpose in contributing to the advancement of society. Yet, we find that in the world’s current adolescence women and people of color continue to face barriers in their attempt to make their rightful contributions. The films reviewed in the course highlight the history of social practices that have continued to result in oppression, create awareness of our implicit biases, promote racial amity and gender parity and help to heal and transform our hearts and minds. Through this powerful form of visual storytelling, we are given the opportunity to learn about one other’s lived experiences and overcome our prejudices, leading to the formation of genuine bonds of friendship, engagement in meaningful conversations and unifying together as agents of change, walking a path of service towards a more socially just society.

Mark Sisson, Guest Lecturer

Mark Sisson studied Liberal Studies at San Diego State University then completed a degree in Television Broadcasting at San Francisco State University. In 1979, while on a four month teaching trip across the South Pacific, he attended the first National Youth Conference of the New Hebrides and was interviewed by Radio New Hebrides.

In July 1981 Mark spoke at the first Continental Youth Conference of the Seven Year Plan held in Kansas City, Missouri. In 1989 he completed a Masters of Fine Arts in Film & Television Directing at the University of California and he then moved to Papua New Guinea in 1989. He worked for the Papua New Guinean Ministry of Education and was director of Educational Television until 2000. He produced a documentary while in Papua New Guinea which was shown at the Second Bahá’í World Congress held in New York City in 1992.

In 2003 Mark began working for the Southwestern Community College District in Chula Vista, California, as a Professor of film, television and video production. In 2015 he was appointed as a Continental Counselor by the Universal House of Justice, and in 2018 he participated in a conference at the World Centre for Counselors sharing his experiences in San Diego. In 2020 he completed his term as Counselor.