In
this course we will explore the ways in which women of color in the
U.S., Jewish women and women living in the two-thirds world are
revolutionizing how theology is done by boldly, uncompromisingly,
unabashedly constructing theologies that reflect their real-life
experiences of oppression and survival.
In the words of Asian theologians Mary Jane Mananzan and Lee
Sun Ai, "The emerging spirituality of women promises to be
vibrant, liberating, and colorful.
Its directions and tendencies seem to open up to greater
possibilities of life and freedom, and therefore to more and more
opportunities to be truly, intensely, and wholly alive!"
The goal is for students and teacher, as a result of
immersing themselves in some of the most exciting, too-often
overlooked theological texts of our time and engaging together in
deep conversation about these texts, to emerge at course's end more
wholly and holy alive.
Required
Texts: (see booklist)
Week
One: September 10:
Introductions, overview of class syllabus, discussion
on what theology
is and the different processes by which it is created
Week
Two: September
17:
Struggle to be the Sun
Again
Week
Three: September 24:
Daughters of Anowa,
pp. 1-108
Week
Four: October 1:
Daughters of Anowa, pp.
109-218
Week
Five:
October 8:
Standing Again at
Sinai, pp. vii-120
Week
Six:
October 15:
Standing Again at Sinai,
pp. 121-238
Thursday,
October 17: Required
Lecture:
Judith Plaskow, "Just Sex: Rethinking
Religious Sexual Ethics" 7pm,
Charter Oak Cultural Center 21
Charter Oak Avenue, Hartford 860.249.1207
Week
Seven: October 22:
Mujerista Theology,
pp. 1-102
Week
Eight: October 29:
Mujerista Theology,
pp. 105-205
Sunday,
November 3:
Tanat
L'Vat Yiftach: A Ritual
Commemorating Jephthah's Daughter, Charter
Oak Cultural Center, 3
pm
Week
Nine: November 5:
Sisters in the
Wilderness, pp. 1-107
Friday
and Saturday, November 8 and 9:
A
Room of One's Own
performed by Anne-Lynn Kettles at the Charter Oak Cultural Center, 8
pm
Week
Ten: November 12:
Sisters in the
Wilderness, pp. 108-239
Week:
Eleven: November
19:
Readings provided by the instructor
Week:
Twelve: November
26:
Readings provided by the instructor
Week:
Thirteen: December
3:
Readings provided by the instructor
Final
Paper Due:
A five to ten page reflection paper on the semester's work and
how your own theology may have been impacted.
In
addition to doing the reading before each class session, each
student is required to prepare and hand in a page or two of 3-5
questions or comments about aspects of the reading for that week
that she or he feels are important.
Each student is also required to lead one class discussion
which should include the following elements:
1)
A synopsis of the political, cultural and religious context
in which the theologian finds herself
2)
An overview of the material read
3)
Prepared questions for class discussion
4)
Preparation of a one-page bibliography of related works
As
discussion leader you should facilitate the conversation and allow
for and encourage full class participation. The
final paper should be viewed as an opportunity to synthesize the
semester's material and to reflect, in a personal way, on its impact
on your own life and theology.
If there has been no impact, this too is worthy of
exploration in this paper. The synthesis should be concise, critical and rich;
the reflection thoughtful and reflective of a real grappling
with the texts.
Class
Participation: Regular
class attendance and participation are essential to the learning
process. Since we are a
community of learners, I ask that anyone who must be absent from a
class please call me in advance to let me know. My
home and office numbers are on the first page of this syllabus.
You are very important.
Our class will be diminished without you.
Grading:
Discussion Leadership 30%
Final Reflection Paper
25%
Weekly Written Question/Comments
25%
Class Attendance/Participation 20%
