Summer 2008/Pasadena
Two-week Intensive: July 21-August 1
ST570
Myers
ST570: WOMANIST HERMENEUTICS AND LITERATURE. William H. Myers.
DESCRIPTION: This course is a general introduction to womanist hermeneutics and
thought. Womanist scholars distinguish themselves from white feminist scholars
and black male theologians by interpreting texts and contexts through the lens
of black female experiences and sources. Major attention will be given to the
hermeneutical methodology and interdisciplinary sources womanists use to
interrogate Bible and context in addressing contemporary issues like racism,
sexism, classism, and sexuality.
LEARNING OUTCOMES: After completing this course students will know and
understand (1) the similarities and dissimilarities between womanist thought,
feminist thought, and Afrocentric thought; (2) the hermeneutical methodology
utilized by womanist scholars to interrogate texts and contexts; (3) the
interdisciplinary approach and sources of this thought; (4) the
interrelationship of racism, sexism, classism, and heterosexism.
RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Issues of race, gender, class, and sexuality are
prominent issues in our contemporary culture and the life of the church. Women
are not only a dominant group in numbers but in their life experiences.
Womanist scholarship is a major voice in confronting these issues and thus will
be helpful to all in ministry who are called to serve the church.
COURSE FORMAT: This course will meet daily for two weeks for four-hour
sessions. Class meetings will combine lectures, video tapes, discussion,
individual and/or group presentations.
REQUIRED READING:
- Douglas, K. B. Sexuality and the Black Church: A Womanist
Perspective. Orbis, 1999.
- ________. What's Faith Got to Do With It? Black Bodies/Christian
Souls. Orbis, 2005.
- hooks, bell. Where We Stand: Class Matters. Routledge, 2000.
- Mitchem, Stephanie Y. Introducing Womanist Theology. Orbis, 2002.
- Sanders, Cheryl J., ed. Living the Intersection: Womanism and
Afrocentrism in Theology. Fortress, 1995.
- Townes, E. M., ed. A Troubling in My Soul: Womanist Perspectives on Evil
& Suffering. Orbis, 1993.
- Townes, Emilie M. Breaking the Fine Rain of Death: African American
Health Issues and a Womanist Ethic of Care. Continuum, 2001.
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Brown, Teresa Fry. God Don't Like Ugly: African American Women
Handing on Spiritual Values. Abingdon, 2000.
- Collins, Patricia Hill. Black Feminist Thought: Knowledge,
Consciousness, and the Politics of Empowerment. Routledge, 2000.
- Douglas, Kelly Brown. The Black Christ. Orbis, 1994.
- Gilkes, Cheryl Townsend. If It Wasn't for the Women: Black Women's
Experience and Womanist Culture in Church and Community. Maryknoll: Orbis,
2001.
- Kirk-Duggan, Cheryl A. "Exorcising Evil": A Womanist Perspective on the
Spirituals. Orbis, 1997.
- Riggs, Marcia Y., ed. Can I Get a Witness: Prophetic Religious Voices of
African American Women: An Anthology. Orbis, 1997.
- Sanders, Cheryl J. Empowerment Ethics for a Liberated People.
Fortress, 1995.
- Weems, Renita J. I Asked for Intimacy: Stories of Blessings, Betrayals
& Birthings. LuraMedia, 1993.
ASSIGNMENTS: (1) Individual oral and written presentations, depending on class
size (30%).
(2) Womanist primary or secondary source multi-media
presentation (to be described in class) (30%).
(3) A 12-15 page research
paper utilizing womanist thought and literature to integrate Bible, race,
gender, class, or sexuality and your contemporary context (40%). Due September
5.
PREREQUISITES: None.
RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Meets requirement for African American
Church Studies concentration in MDiv (multi-cultural studies) and the MA in
Multicultural Ministries.
FINAL EXAMINATION: No.
This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (5/08)