Winter 2010/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 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.
SIGNIFICANCE FOR LIFE AND 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.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
- Students will create an appropriate assessment, analysis, and critique of a
systematic African American/Womanist/Black theology.
- 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.
- Students will appreciate the importance of interpreting culture and how
that affects one's theology and can and should inform priorities for
ministry.
COURSE FORMAT: The course will meet weekly for three-hour 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 AND ASSESSMENT: Students will be given four take-home exams
throughout the term (60% 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. Students will also do a bi-weekly blog that
every student will read and comment on (40% of course grade).
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. (11/09)