Dr. Teresa Berger
Duke Divinity School
660 3464
Spring 2000
Tuesdays, 2:30-5:00
The course is designed as an introduction to Feminist theologies as
they have emerged, in the last two decades, from the (so-called) Third World. The course seeks to locate these theologies in the
context of three particular ecclesial developments of the 20th century: the
emergence of a global Christian women’s network through the Ecumenical Movement, the
emergence of Feminist theologies in the First World, and the emergence of Liberation
Theologies in the Third World.
Students will enter into the world of Third World Feminist
theologies in this context. The course will begin with the three developments mentioned
above, i.e., the emergence of a global Ecumenical women’s network, of First World
Feminist theologies, and of (initially dominantly male) Liberation Theologies from the
Third World. In a second part, the course will introduce both different continental
emphases (Latin American, African, Asian), and a more sustained concentration on some
countries in particular, which have produced their own “indigenous” forms of
Third World Feminist theologies.
Course outline:
Jan 18 Introduction to
the Course: Sessions, Readings, Requirements. In
the second half of his session, Andy Keck, our electronic services librarian, will
familiarize us with the use of Course Info.
Jan 25 Setting the
Stage: The Ecumenical Movement, First World
Feminist Theology/s, and (Latin American) Liberation Theology Reading: Feminist Theology from the Third World, 23-46. Feminist Theology in Different Contexts, 74-80.
Feb 1 The
Historical Background
Reading:
Tamez, “Quetzalcóatl Challenges the Christian Bible,” 5-20 (on
reserve).
Feb 8 Women in
Indigenous Communities
Reading: articles by Enrique Dussel and
Julia Esquivel, in:
Concilium 1990/6 (on reserve).
Feb 15 The Emergence
of Latin American Feminist Theology Film: “In Women’s Hands” (Chile)
Reading: Feminist Theology in Different
Contexts, 3-16.
Feminist Theology from the Third World,
47-59.
Feb 22
A Feminist Theology from Latin America Reading: Aquino, Our Cry for Life, 1-149.
Reading:
Feminist Theology from the Third World, 183-242.
Mar 7 Feminist
Spirituality
Reading:
Feminist Theology from the Third World, 303-338.
Aquino, Our Cry for Life, 149-160, 178-186.
Africa
Mar
21 Historical Background
Reading: Feminist Theology in Different
Contexts, 26-34. Kanyoro article, in The Will
to Arise, 87-100 (the book is on reserve).
(excerpts from “The Dancing
Church”)
Mar 28 Film: “With These Hands: How Women Feed
Africa” (33 min.)
Reading: Feminist Theology from the Third
World, 139-148, 261-268.
Kanyoro article, in Women’s Visions, 18-28 (the book is on reserve).
Apr 4 South
Africa
Films: “South Africa Belongs to
Us” (35 min.) and “You Have Struck a Rock” (28 min.).
Reading:
Feminist Theology from the Third World,
150-167, 283-298.
Reading: Feminist Theology in Different
Contexts, 101-115. Feminist Theology from the
Third World, 60-62, 63-75, 105-137, 244-250,
251-260, 351-360, 392-394.
Film: “Gentle but Radical.” Interview: “Faces
on Faith.”
Reading: Chung Hyun Kyung, Struggle to be
the Sun Again, 22-114.
Apr 25 Conclusions...
Requirements:
1. Each
student will be required to maintain full and
regular attendance at all sessions. In
addition, informed participation will be
expected. Such participation carries the
assumption that students will complete the reading assignments according to the schedule
outlined on the syllabus. If a student misses
a class, a written report of 1-3 pages on the readings for the missed session will be due
at the next class meeting.
2. A
written review and critique of one of the assigned readings will be required of each
student during the semester. This paper (3-5
pages, single-spaced; 1500-2000 words) will be the basis of discussion during one of the
Tuesday group sessions. The presentation
itself should provide the student’s analysis of the read text as well as questions
for class discussion.
3. A
final paper (15 pages, double-spaced) is due Tuesday, April 11 at class time. The paper’s topic is left to the choice and
responsibility of the student, but has to be related to the overall subject of the course. The paper will provide a theological analysis of the chosen topic and should reflect substantial
use of library resources, as appropriate. Students
from the Graduate School of Religion will write a more substantial (i.e. 25 pp.) research
paper on a topic of their choice.
Grading:
Grades for the course will be determined according to the following
formula:
Participation:
20%
Class Presentation: 30%
Final Paper:
50%
Things you should know:
Inclusive language is encouraged in accordance with the Divinity
School’s “Guidelines on Inclusive Language.” In your presentations and
papers, inclusive language will be required.
My office is in the Old Building on the top floor, # 310. Regular office hours are announced on my office
door. You may also contact me by phone: 660 3464 with the option of leaving voicemail, or
by e-mail: tberger@mail.duke.edu.
Atlas of the Third World (New York: Facts on File, 1992)
Encyclopedia of the Third World (New York: Facts on File, 1992)
D.B. Barrett (ed.), World Christian Encyclopedia. A Compa-rative Study of Churches and
Religions in the Modern World. Ad 1900-2000 (Oxford: OUP, 1982). Expected Second Edition
in Three Volumes.
Inheriting our Mothers’ Gardens. Feminist Theology in Third
World Perspective (Philadelphia: Westminster, 1988).
V. Fabella et al. (eds.), With Passion and Compassion: Third World Women
Doing Theology (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1988). U.
King (ed.), Feminist Theology from the Third World: A Reader (Maryknoll, NY: Orbis, 1994).
J.S. Pobee (ed.), Culture,
Women And Theology. Delhi: ISPCK, 1994.
O. Ortega (ed.), Women’s Visions: Theological Reflection,
Celebration, Action. Geneva: WCC Publications,
1995. L. Dornisch, Paul and Third World Women Theologians.
Collegeville: Liturgical Press, 1999.
This course has a website at Duke’s CourseInfo site (http://courseinfo.duke.edu). Note especially that we have a chatroom there, as
well as the possibility to access various links to other sites. You can also post
discussion papers online. Check out the rich resources available to you early on in the
semester!
A site of fundamental importance for the subject matter of this course is “International Gender Studies Resource” at http://globetrotter.berkeley.edu/GlobalGender/ The site features research materials, bibliographies both by geographical area and by discipline and emphasis, as well as filmographies on issues pertaining to women and gender in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Arab World, and among minority cultures in North America and Europe.