University students no longer have to wait till after class to delve into The Da Vinci Code with a new university course offering credits for coming to terms with Dan Brown.
Macquarie student Holly Daly who is studying a Certificate of Christian Education, says she is considering studying the subject "DeCoding the Da Vinci Code and Dan Brown', because it covers a wide range of issues rarely addressed in any depth in churches.
These included goddess religions, feminism and conspiracy theories about Christianity.
"I really want to know biblical truths so that I can answer all the questions that my non-Christian friends and future students may throw at me," Ms Daly says.
The fully accredited university subject is being provided by the Macquarie Christian Studies Institute (MCSI), based at Macquarie University, and is accredited by both the university and the Australian College of Theology.
MCSI Director, the Rev Dr Gordon Preece is part of the team of university lecturers that have gathered to ensure the truth is given an airing at the highest intellectual levels.
"For all its fantasy entertainment, The Da Vinci Code provides a valuable context for in-depth discussions on many of the key contentious issues concerning Christianity," Dr Preece says.
"It's good to attend the many talks being given at churches, but it's hard in a single presentation for people to get the chance to seriously discuss and evaluate all the issues raised."
He says The Da Vinci Code is a great platform for multi-disciplinary study because it covers so many areas.
The team presenting the subject come from disciplines including, ancient, medieval and modern history, art history, biblical studies, English literature and the philosophy of science.
Guest lecturers will include the Head of the Department of Ancient History at Macquarie University, Professor Alanna Nobbs and Director of the Centre for Apologetic Scholarship and Education (CASE) at New College, UNSW and writer of the challengingdavinci.com website, Dr Greg Clarke.
"After seeing the movie, I'm hoping most people will share the cynical response of many reviewers and audiences to its sheer unbelievability," Dr Preece says.
"But I also hope their curiosity will be aroused about the person who all the fuss is about " Jesus."
Students and the general public can also attend classes for half price without undergoing any assessment tasks.
Two of the most popular lectures are being offered as a short course and will feature Dr Clarke speaking on "Dan Brown's Postmodern Religion and the Sacred Feminine' on September 7 and 11.
Dr Preece says all the lecturers come from a Christian background, but Christianity is not a pre-requisite for taking any MCSI units, nor a factor in the marking, so he hopes students from all backgrounds will attend the course.
Unit convenor, Stuart Johnson expects students of English literature, history and popular culture are to be particularly interested.
"When studying "DeCoding the Da Vinci Code and Dan Brown', students will seek to account for the extraordinary popularity of The Da Vinci Code as well as examine its accuracy and the controversial issues raised," Mr Johnson says.
"DeCoding the Da Vinci Code and Dan Brown' will be held 6-9pm on Mondays for 13 weeks starting on August 7. Enrolments are now open.
For more details on visit www.mcsi.edu.au or call 02 98506133.
