Introduction to Feminist & Womanist Theologies
Fall 2016
ILIFF SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY
Instructor: Professor Michele Watkins
Email: mwatkins@iliff.edu Phone: (303) 228-8618
Office Hours: Thursdays 9:00 am- 12:00 pm (By Appointment Only)
Course Description : The goal of this course it to introduce students to several significant dimensions, continuities, and differences found in feminist and womanist theological discourse. This course seeks to integrate theories on gender, race, class, and sexuality in ways that patriarchy has influenced women and men’s identity formation. Specific attention will be given to the ways that theological doctrine has been utilized in feminist and womanist discourses in order to make sense of this formation in order to construct a more liberative schema that advances the flourishing of creation.
Course Objectives
1) to become familiar with the logic of sexism in our society through readings feminist discourse and hearing into speech women’s experiences of domination based on gender and race
2) to become aware of black feminist as well as womanist critique that begins at the intersection of not just gender but also of intersecting sites of gender, race, class and sexuality to just name few over-lapping sites,
3) to become familiar with how patriarchal theological perspectives support oppressive views of certain groups of peoples,
4) to become familiar with the similarities and distinctions between feminist and womanist theological methodology
5) to develop new and constructive ways of articulating and envisioning a more nuanced and liberative theology rooted in theory and praxis .
Course Texts
Each student is responsible for locating the articles or chapters for presentations through the DU or ILIFF Taylor Library.
Course Requirements
Clarifying discussion questions : identifies a particular idea, concept, or aspect of the author’s point of view that you would like to know more about (not just for the sake of knowing) but so that you might grasp more fully the author’s proposal
Critical discussion questions : reflects your understanding of what the author has written and wants you to believe (thesis, argument, truth of a specific narrative, etc) but goes a step further to interrogate an aspect of the author’s proposal to determine whether it is worthy of agreement.
Discussion questions based on the weekly assigned reading should be posted online in the Canvas Discussion Forum no later than each Wednesday at Noon/12:00 p.m. (MT).
Be prepared to share your critical discussion questions at the beginning of each class with at least a 5 to 7 sentence rationale for how you arrived to the question and why it is important to you.
Students will sign up on the first day of class to present 2 oral presentations (1
for an article/chapter and 1 for a book), each accompanied by a 3 to 5 double-spaced written summary of the presentation for the instructor (with correct referencing of the sources, using footnotes).
The purpose of this exercise is to acquaint the student with the literature of feminist and womanist traditions and for the student to share that knowledge with the class. In no more than 15 minutes, the student will provide a short bibliographical and historical introduction to the author and context (5 min.), a summary of the gist of the text (5 min.), and major questions that arise from sections worth highlighting (5 min.).
The 15 minutes will be timed strictly (practicing the presentation beforehand is
therefore essential). For many of the student colleagues, this will be a first introduction to the text and author, and that should be taken into account.
In the form of a final analysis paper based on a cogent literature review and two qualitative interviews.
The final interview project is an examination of one focused topic that has shaped the lives of women (i.e. What is the “lived experience” of women’s relationship to men and their God images? ) Students will choose two women of their choice and conduct a structured interview with each with questions related to this focused topic. With the informed consent of each interviewee, their answers are to then be placed in conversation with all the assigned readings as well as relevant literature specific to the focused topic chosen.
The final paper should offer clear, logical, and convincing analysis of that issue then offer a feminist or womanist theological analysis in response to this issue.
Timeline for Project
Due: November 17, 2016 (NO EXTENSIONS OR LATE PAPERS WILL BE ACCEPTED) Please plan ahead.
COURSE SCHEDULE
Week 1 Introduction to the Course
Sept 15
Week 2 Topic: Feminism, Womanism and Intersectionality
Sept 22 Assigned Readings for Class Discussion:
Week 3 Topic: The Blessing & Curse of Theological Doctrine
Sept 29 Assigned Readings for Class Discussion:
Week 4 Topic: “Feminism is to Womanism as Purple is to Lavender”
Oct 6 Assigned Readings for Class Discussion:
Week 5 Topic: Black Feminism & Womanism
Oct 13 Class & Professor Consultation- Final Project Topics & Interview Questions
Week 6 Topic: Black Feminism & Womanism
Oct 20 Assigned Readings for Class Discussion
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