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Building an Inclusive Christianity: Listening to the Voices of Women*
Fall 2012
What measures can be taken to build an inclusive Christianity for the 21st century? One answer is to listen attentively to the voices of women. Since Christianity has been overwhelmingly shaped by male experience, it is imperative that we become familiar with the neglected voices of women in the tradition. Their inclusion will lead to a more honest and rich understating of the Christian faith. The focus of this course is the careful, critical reading of primary texts by and about women from the Bible to the 21st century, with a focus on the Middle Ages. It will also cover select secondary sources related to the historical context and interpretive challenges of each text. A secondary theme of the course is the role of the affections (often associated with women) in Christian spirituality.
Tuesdays from 9:00-5:00 on 9/11, 9/25, 10/30, 11/13, 12/4, 12/18 (Make-up day if needed)
Syllabus:
Goals
- Understand how historical, geographic and gender issues affect theology/spirituality;
- Become confident in negotiating the challenges of reading and interpreting texts by/about women from a variety of historical periods;
- Become familiar with the major themes and developments of women’s spiritual literature throughout the Christian tradition;
- Discern differences and similarities between male and female authors;
- Assess the value of, and individual commitment to, an inclusive Christianity in a variety of ministerial settings;
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Explore the explicit and subtle ways in which various groups in the church are marginalized;
Required Texts
Dreyer, Elizabeth. Making Sense of God: A Woman’s Perspective. Cinncinati, OH: Franciscan
Media, 2008.
A volume of your choice on women in the Bible.
Shawn Madigan, ed. Mystics, Visionaries & Prophets: A Historical Anthology of
Women’s Spiritual Writings. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1998. 0-8006-3145-5.
Hildegard of Bingen, Symphonia. Introduction, translations and commentary by Barbara
Newman. 2nd ed. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1998.
Julian of Norwich. Showings. Mahwah and New York: Paulist Press, 1978.
Mary Gordon. Joan of Arc. New York: Lipper/Viking Press. 2000.
Teresa of Avila. Interior Castle. Mahwah and New York: Paulist Press, 1979.
Select journal articles.
Books:
Dreyer, Elizabeth. Making Sense of God: A Woman’s Perspective. Cinncinati, OH: Franciscan Media, 2008. Buy now
A volume of your choice on women in the Bible.
Shawn Madigan, ed. Mystics, Visionaries & Prophets: A Historical Anthology of Women’s Spiritual Writings. Minneapolis: Fortress, 1998. 0-8006-3145-5. Buy now
Hildegard of Bingen, Symphonia. Introduction, translations and commentary by Barbara Newman. 2nd ed. Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 1998. Buy now
Julian of Norwich. Showings. Mahwah and New York: Paulist Press, 1978. Buy now
Mary Gordon. Joan of Arc. New York: Lipper/Viking Press. 2000. Buy now
Teresa of Avila. Interior Castle. Mahwah and New York: Paulist Press, 1979. Buy now