DESCRIPTION: This course will provide an introduction to feminist theology, including contextualized feminist perspectives such as womanist, mujerista, Asian American and those outside North America and Europe. The course will consider traditional Christian doctrine through the lens of feminist theologies, evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of feminist method and theology.

LEARNING OUTCOMES: Students will (1) become acquainted with a variety of feminist theologies and their contribution to systematic theology; (2) develop an awareness of diverse perspectives, learning to evaluate and critique these theologically and personally; (3) gain an appreciation of feminist theology and how it can shape their own theological reflection and ministries.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: In order to work responsibly in various ministry contexts, the views of women must be considered and addressed. This course will aid students in discovering the issues at stake and how to reflect on these with integrity and sensitivity. An ability to engage diverse views is a valuable skill for anyone participating in ministry and study.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet weekly for three-hour sessions of lecture, discussion (small and large group), and student presentations.

REQUIRED READING:

Greene-McCreight, Kathryn. Feminist Reconstructions of Christian Doctrine: Narrative Analysis and Appraisal. Oxford University Press, 2000.

Jones, Serene. Feminist Theology and Christian Theology: Cartographies of Grace. Fortress, 2000.

LaCugna, Catherine Mowry, ed. Freeing Theology: The Essentials of Theology in Feminist Perspective. HarperCollins, 1993.

Young, Pamela Dickey. Feminist Theology/Christian Theology: In Search of Method. Fortress, 1990.

One of the following contextualized feminist theologies (or other title approved by professor):

Chung, Hyun Kyung. Struggle to Be the Sun Again: Introducing Asian Women's Theology. SCM, 1991.

Isasi-Díaz, Ada María. Mujerista Theology: A Theology for the Twenty-first Century. Orbis, 1996.

Williams, Delores S. Sisters in the Wilderness: The Challenge of Womanist God-Talk. Orbis, 1993.

Course Reader containing selected chapters and articles.

Christ, Carol P., and Judith Plaskow, eds. Womanspirit Rising: A Feminist Reader in Religion. 2nd ed. Harper & Row, 1992.

Johnson, E. A. She Who Is: The Mystery of God in Feminist Theological Discourse. Crossroad, 1992.

King, Ursula, ed. Feminist Theology from the Third World. Orbis, 1994.

Loades, Ann, ed. Feminist Theology: A Reader. SPCK, 1990.

Martin, Francis. The Feminist Questions: Feminist Theology in the Light of Christian Tradition. T&T Clark, 1994.

Parsons, Susan Frank, ed. The Cambridge Companion to Feminist Theology. CUP, 2002.

Ruether, Rosemary Radford. Sexism and God-Talk: Towards a Feminist Theology. SCM Press, 1983.

Schüssler Fiorenza, Elisabeth. In Memory of Her: A Feminist Theological Reconstruction of Christian Origins. 2nd ed. SCM Press, 1994.