1 Ecofeminist Theologies & Spiritualities Rels-V265, 001
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1 ECOFEMINIST THEOLOGIES & SPIRITUALITIES RELS-V265, 001 & 002, Bobet 101 Dr. Anne Daniell [email protected] Office: Bobet 440 For other appt. times, Office hours: Thurs. 10 AM - Noon please e-mail professor. Course Overview This course introduces the ecofeminist and ecowomanist movements of the late twentieth century to the present day, looking specifically at how they have influenced constructive theology. The course examines ecofeminism’s claim patriarchal institutions and “other worldly” concepts of the divine mutually reinforce one another, maintaining a hierarchical worldview that subjugates both women and nature. After analyzing works at the intersection of ecofeminism and theological studies, the course proceeds with perspectives from diverse social locations, including various geographical and religious contexts. The course concludes with an introduction to non-binary gender theory and the challenges it poses to ecofeminism. Assigned reading, websites & videos will all be posted on Bb Course Material & Bb Streaming Video. Types of Assignments & Grading, based on a 100-point grading scale: 5% Attendance (see below) 5% Participation (see below) 10% Presentation or Discussion Leader (see below) 10% Writing Assignments (averaged) 10% Test 1 15% Test 2 20% Test 3 25% Test 4/Final Exam (cumulative) A = 95 – 100 pts. A- = 90 – 94 pts. B+ = 88 – 89 pts. B = 83 – 87 pts. B- = 80 – 82 pts. C+ = 78 – 79 pts. C = 73 – 77 pts. C- = 70 – 72 pts. D+ = 68 – 69 pts. D = 60 – 67 pts. F = 0 – 59 pts. Attendance: Attendance is expected and accounts for 5% of the final grade. Students absent more than four (4) times during the semester will lose the entirety of their attendance points. Students absent 20% or more (8+) of class periods cannot get higher than B range as a final grade; students absent 30% or more (12+) of class periods cannot get higher than C range as a final grade; students absent 40% (17+) or more of class periods cannot get higher than D range as a final grade. If a student misses more than half of the class periods they will fail. Participation: Active listening and bringing relevant readings (or notes from those readings) to class count towards the participation grade. Note that it is very distracting when students are having conversations with one another, or are doing things other than participating in class. Also note that professor can tell when students are engaged in social media. A student’s participation grade will be lowered if the professor notices they are making a habit of engaging in non-class related electronic media, using head-phones, or frequently having conversations with others during class. If there is a medical reason you need to use headphones during class time, please submit a letter from your doctor or the OAE (Office of Accessible Education). Responsive writings: Occasional response papers (to videos, readings or scriptures) will be averaged to comprise the Writing Assignment grade (10% of final grade). There will be between 1 - 4 response-writings during the semester, and at the end or the semester these will be averaged. E.g., if there ends up being only one writing assignment, then it will be worth the entire 10 points. Thus it is important to take each writing assignment seriously, since you do not know for sure how many others will be assigned. 2 Laptops/electronic devices: Students who take hand-written notes during class are typically more successful on tests and in class discussions. Note that professor can tell when students are engaged in social media, etc., and a student’s participation grade will be lowered if the professor notices this. It is not the professor’s responsibility to call students out on this. Thus, if you are concerned that taking notes on a computer is being mistaken for social media use, please talk to professor in person; arrangements will be made for you to email notes to professor or something to that effect. How students will be informed of grades, participation & course progress: Attendance, participation, and grades are recorded in professor’s grade-book. Students may consult with professor at pre- arranged times (email to arrange) to discuss how they are doing. Exams and assignments will be returned (or commented upon on Bb) approximately 2 weeks after being turned in. Midterm grades & final grades will be posted on LORA. Note: Reading assignments should be done before date on which they are assigned. At times we will look carefully at sections of assigned readings. Thus, it is good practice to bring relevant readings and notes with you to class. Sequence ofd Topics and Assignments: Approximate Dates* *We are likely to get behind schedule from time to time. Students should check Bb Announcements at least once a week to stay up to date with schedule changes. Mon. Introduction; Syllabus Jan. 7 Wed. Feminism & Ecology: What are they & why are they connected? Jan. 9 In-class: Griffin, Susan, “Women and Nature” and Walker, Alice, “Color Purple” excerpts” Bb: King, Ynestra, “The Ecology of Feminism & the Feminism of Ecology” Fri. Ortner’s theory: Patriarchy, Nature & Women’s “intermediacy” Jan. 11 Bb: Ortner, Sherry, “Is Female to Male as Nature is to Culture?” Mon. finish Ortner’s theory: Patriarchy, Nature & Women’s “intermediacy” Jan. 14 Bb: Ortner, Sherry, “Is Female to Male as Nature is to Culture?” Wed. Feminism: history & theories (part 1) Jan. 16 Bb: Warren, Karen, “Feminism & Ecology: Making Connections” Fri. Feminism: history & theories (part 2) Jan. 18 Bb: Warren, Karen, “Feminism & Ecology: Making Connections” (finish) Bb: Walker, Alice, “Womanism” (excerpt) Mon. MLK Day: No class Jan. 21 Wed. Review for 1st Test on ecofeminist theory, Ortner’s theory, types of feminism & womanism Jan. 23 Feminism & Theology Bb: Morton, Nelle, “Preaching the Word” (in-class discussion) Fri. Test 1 (in class) Jan. 25 Mon. Feminism & Theology Jan. 28 Bb: Daly, Mary, “The Women’s Movement: An Exodus Community” 3 Wed. Feminism & Thealogy Jan. 30 Bb: Christ, Carol, “Why Women Need the Goddess” Fri. Feminism & Thealogy Feb. 1 Bb: Riane Eisler, “Neolithic Goddess Cultures” Mon. Womanism & Theology: What is womanist theology? Feb. 4 Bb: Delores Williams, “Womanist Theology” Wed. Feminist Hermeneutics: feminist hermeneutics of suspicion Feb. 6 In-class: What is “hermeneutics of suspicion” & “feminist hermeneutics of suspicion”? Fri. Feminist Hermeneutics: 1st example of a feminist hermeneutics of suspicion Feb. 8 Bible: Genesis 1; Bb: “Trible Article 1” Mon. Feminist Hermeneutics: 2nd example of a feminist hermeneutics of suspicion Feb. 11 Bb: Genesis 2; Bb: “Trible Article 1” & “Trible Article 2” Wed. Catch up: Trible’s hermeneutics of Gen. 1 & Gen. 2 Feb. 13 begin womanist & Latin American hermeneutics Fri. Latin Am. feminist hermeneutics: Hagar story Feb. 15 Bb: Elsa Tamez, “The Woman who Complicated History” Mon. Womanist Hermeneutics: Hagar story Feb. 18 Bb: Renita Weems, “A Maid, A Mistress and No Mercy” Wed. Womanist Hermeneutics: Women in the New Testament Feb. 20 Bb: Renita Weems, “Certain Women” Fri. Catch Up; Presentation on Plagiarism (possible) Feb. 22 Discuss what will be on Test 2. DUE Sunday Test 2 on-line: feminist and womanist biblical hermeneutics Feb. 24, 11:59 PM Open notes. This should take approx. two hours once you have begun test. Mon. Ecofeminist Constructive Theology: Source Feb. 25 Bb: Nicene Creed & El Shaddai Wed. Ecofeminist Constructive Theology: Source, Grace & Faith Feb. 27 Bb: Elizabeth Johnson, “Images: Mother, Wisdom, Spirit” Fri. Ecofeminist constructions in theology: Word/Wisdom (part 1) Mar. 1 Bb: Wisdom Texts March 4 - 8 Mardi Gras Break: No class Mon. Ecofeminist constructions in theology: Word/Wisdom (part 2) Mar. 11 Bb: Wisdom Texts; Gospel of John; Colossians hymn Wed. Ecofeminist constructions in theology: Christ & Jesus Mar. 13 Bb: Ivone Gebara (article TBA) 4 Fri. Spirit Mar. 15 Bb: Karen Baker-Fletcher, excerpts on Spirit Mon. Spirit Mar. 18 Bb: Chung, Hyun-Kyung, “Welcome the Spirit: Hear Her Cries” Wed. Spirit & Trinity Mar. 20 Bb: finish “Welcome the Spirit” & Bb: Elizabeth Johnson (on Trinity) Fri. Catch Up. Discuss what will be on Test 3. Mar. 22 Due 11:59 PM Test 3 on-line: Constructive Ecofeminist & Ecowomanist Theology Sun. Mar. 24 Open notes. This should take approx. two hours once you have begun test. Mon. Ecofeminism & Environmental Justice (part 1) Mar. 25 In-class: lecture, website & short videos Wed. Ecofeminism & Environmental Justice (part 2) Mar. 27 Bb: videos & website (TBA); Terry Tempest Williams, “Clan of one-breasted women” In-class: sections from Rachel’s Daughters, DVD-003287 Fri. Discussion Groups: Ecofeminism & Environmental Justice Mar. 29 Student-led small-group discussions on “Clan of one-breasted Women” (meet in library) DUE 10 PM Response Paper to Rachel’s Daughters, DVD-003287 Sun. Mar. 31 Finish watching DVD & respond to Bb Course Material: Assignments Mon. Discussion Groups: Ecofeminism & Environmental Justice April 1 Student-led small-group discussions on Rachel’s Daughters (meet in library) Wed. Ecofeminism & Hinduism (part 1) April 3 Bb: Aruna Gnadanason, “Indian Ecofeminism” (article) Fri. Ecofeminism & Hinduism (part 2) April 5 Bb: Vandana Shiva (article TBA) and in-class video clip Mon. Student presentations on Hindu/Indian ecofeminism April 8 (3 – 4 presentations) Wed. Ecofeminism & Indigenous Women April 10 Bb: Canas, Mercedes, “In Us Life Grows” (article) Bb: “Ecofeminist Appropriations of Indigenous Feminism” (web article) Fri. Student presentations: Indigenous women environmental