Winter 2009/Pasadena
ST510
Watkins

ST510: INTRODUCTION TO BLACK THEOLOGY. Ralph C. Watkins.


DESCRIPTION: This course is designed to introduce students to the nature of theological study, developing a structure of divine revelation as fundamental to understanding how African Americans have developed a systematic theology in America. This course will trace the will trace the development of African American theology along with its African origins. This course will also bring Womanist thought and theology to the center of the discussion and understanding of African American/Black Theology.

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

  1. Students will create an appropriate assessment, analysis, and critique of a systematic African American/Womanist/Black theology.

  2. Students will understand the theological issues present in the African American community from their time of coming from Africa, up through slavery, Jim Crow, Civil Rights, and the present post-soul/hip hop nation.

  3. Students will appreciate the importance of interpreting culture and how that affects one's theology and can and should inform priorities for ministry.

RELEVANCE FOR MINISTRY: Application of theoretical course content to ministry situations will take place through the take-home exam questions. Basic human questions about the reality of God, the authority of Scripture, human sexuality, and the spiritual/psychical dynamics of African Americans will be addressed in this course.

COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet bi-weekly for one-hour-and-fifty-minute sessions.

REQUIRED READING:
Coleman, Will. Tribal Talk: Black Theology, Hermeneutics, and African/American Ways of Telling the Story. The Pennsylvania State University Press, 1999.

Cone, James. Risks of Faith: The Emergence of a Black Theology of Liberation, 1968-1998. Beacon Press. 1999.

Douglas, Kelly Brown. What's Faith Got to Do with It? Black Bodies/Christian Souls. Orbis Books, 2005.

Douglas, Kelly Brown. The Black Christ. Orbis Books, 1994.

Oden, Thomas. How Africa Shaped the Christian Mind: Rediscovering the African Seedbed of Western Christianity. InterVarsity Press, 2007.

Ware, Frederick L. Methodologies of Black Theology. Pilgrim Press, 2002.

West, Cornel. Prophecy Deliverance: An Afro-American Revolutionary Christianity. Westminster John Knox, 2002.

ASSIGNMENTS: Students will be given five take-home exams throughout the term (each 20% of the course grade). Answers will be evaluated on the basis of depth of theological insight, appropriateness to the practice and goals of Christian ministry, and evidence of critical reflection upon the assigned readings and course content. Students will have to evidence that they can develop and critique the canon that is referred to as a systematic African American/Womanist/Black theology.

PREREQUISITES: None.

RELATIONSHIP TO CURRICULUM: Elective. Meets requirement for African American Church Studies concentration in MDiv (multicultural studies) and the MA in Multicultural Ministries.

FINAL EXAMINATION: Take-home exam (see assignments).

This ECD is a reliable guide to the course design but is subject to modification. (10/08)