Ecofeminist Theologies & Spiritualities Dr. Anne Daniell Spring 2021 Email
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Ecofeminist Theologies & Spiritualities Dr. Anne Daniell Spring 2021 Email: [email protected] RELS-V265 – 01 & -02 Office Hours by appointment Dates of Course: January 20 – May 13 Location: Monroe Bobet 101 Class Meeting Time: MWF 1:30 – 2:20 (01) & 2:30 – 3:20 (02) Terms of Use: A student's continued enrollment in this course signifies acknowledgment of, and agreement with, the statements, disclaimers, policies, and procedures outlined in this syllabus and in the Canvas environment. This syllabus is a dynamic document. Elements of the course (e.g., dates & topics covered, but not policies) may be changed at the discretion of the professor. Most synchronous students will come to one (1) in-person lecture per week and attend the other lecture synchronously via Zoom. Group A will come to class in person on Mondays; Group B on Wednesdays. Everyone will participate in either in-person, online synchronous, or Canvas discussions on (most) Fridays. Students not on campus this semester (online-only) will access both lectures online and will participate in Friday discussions sometimes via Zoom and sometimes by posting on Canvas. (See Discussion Fridays.) Course Overview: This course introduces students to the ecofeminist and ecowomanist movements of the mid-late twentieth century to the present day, examining how they’ve influenced constructive theology. The course looks at the ecofeminist claim that patriarchal institutions and “other worldly” concepts of the divine mutually reinforce one another, maintaining a hierarchical worldview that subjugates both women and nature. After key writings at the intersection of ecofeminism and theological studies, the course proceeds with perspectives from a diversity of social locations. The course concludes with a brief discussion of how non- binary identities pose challenges to some of the initial assumptions of ecofeminism. Course Learning Objectives: After becoming familiar with the historical progression of the feminist movement in the United States, students will learn how certain ideas within feminism and environmentalism have coalesced to create ecofeminism. Students will then be exposed to how various types of ecofeminism and ecowomanism have shaped contemporary theological studies. Students will assess whether different images and concepts of the divine function to connect or disconnect people from an ecological worldview, hence promoting or discouraging ecological ways of living. Expectations of Workload According to Loyola University’s Credit Hour Policy http://academicaffairs.loyno.edu/credit- hour-policy, students should spend approximately 6,300 minutes (105 hours) per 3-credit course. For this course, that translates to 100 minutes each week in the classroom (two 50-minute lectures); 50 minutes each week (Fridays) in small-group discussion or completing the Canvas Discussion, and 300 minutes (5 hours) each week in class preparation (reading; listening; doing written assignments). While preparation-study time will vary from student to student, the indicated 5 hours (300 minutes) of course-engagement time per week will help you to assess whether you are spending sufficient time engaged in work for this course. Your quiz, exam, and discussion grades are likely to reflect the amount of time you put into the class. Skills and Competencies for Successful Completion of Assignments As a hybrid/hyflex course, a substantial amount of coursework will require online attendance or online work. Thus, students must have basic computer and Canvas skills to successfully complete this class. For example, students must be able to access course announcements, assignments, grades, and feedback on Canvas. For help with Canvas, visit the Canvas Student Guide page and Canvas video tutorials, or contact Loyola's Online Learning Team (OLT) by sending an email to [email protected]. Assigned Materials All assigned materials (readings, videos, quizzes, tests, etc.) will be found on Canvas. As a general rule, assigned readings, videos, etc. should be completed before coming to class on the date for which they are listed on the syllabus. You will have a much easier time understanding lecture materials and you will be better prepared to participate in discussions and ask relevant questions if you have engaged with the assigned materials before coming to class. You will be much better prepared for quizzes and exams if you keep up with assigned materials. Instructor’s Feedback Plan on Assignments Assignments, tests & quizzes will be graded 1 – 2 weeks after submission. If, after two weeks, you have not seen your grade, feel free to email the professor to inquire about your grade. Discussion Fridays: Fridays are reserved for in-person or synchronous on-line (“live”) discussions and/or for posting on the Canvas Discussion board. On a few Fridays there will be quizzes and tests on Canvas. Friday participation is required. On those Fridays when you are not assigned to take part in an in-person or Zoom discussion, you are still required to take part in Canvas Discussion board. All students are required to participate in at least 5 discussion boards, and students will choose which discussion boards to participate in. Most students will end up taking part in 3 in-person or live synchronous discussions, and they will post in 5 discussion boards, for a total of 8 discussions. However, non-synchronous students are required to do all 8 discussion boards. On any Friday when you are not taking part in a discussion board or a live Zoom discussion, and you are not doing a quiz or test, you are still required to read and study the assigned materials, since they will be tested on in the midterm, quizzes and final exams. Discussion prompts will appear on Canvas no later than class-time Friday (usually by Thursday evening), and student posts are due by Sunday at the end of the day (11:59 PM). Canvas discussion posts should be proofread and edited for full points. A ½ point will be deducted for each day that a post is late. Do not wait until the last minute to take part in discussion posts. Grading Policy A A- B+ B B- C+ C C- D+ D F 94 - 90- 87 - 83 - 80 - 77 - 73 - 70 - 67 - 60 - 0 - 100 93 89 86 82 79 76 72 69 66 59 Assessment Categories Weeks/Days due Percentage *Participation 35% total small-group discussions & ongoing 24% participation in Canvas Discussion Board. 8 discussions @ 3 pts. each: --3 in-person or online “live” --5 Canvas discussion posts Intro. statement due: Fri. 1/22 4% Presentation: short presentations to due: Sat. 2/19, 11:59 PM 7% be turned in and then shared with the class; professor will ask a few presentation dates: students to talk about their presentations in class. Mon. 2/22 & Wed. 2/24 Attendance ongoing Excellent attendance works to your Will typically be taken at the benefit if you have a border-line beginning of class. final grade. Quizzes & Exams 65% total Quiz 1 (Syllabus) due: Sun. 1/24 11:59 PM 5% Midterm due: Sun. 2/28 11:59 PM 20% Quiz 2 due: Sun. 3/28 11:59 PM 15% Final Exam - Cumulative Finals Week 25% TOTAL 100% Course Schedule Class 1 Introduction & Syllabus – Group B in person Wed. 1/20 Class 2 Quiz 1 – on Syllabus/Requirements (5 pts.) – Canvas Fri. 1/22 Due: end of day Sunday (up to two attempts) Introductory Paragraph (4 pts.) due @ end-of-day Friday Class 3 Lecture 1 – Group A in person Mon. 1/25 Feminism & an ecological worldview, part 1 Ynestra King, “The Ecology of Feminism & the Feminism of Ecology” read: 1st ½ of article. Class 4 Lecture 2 – Group B in person Wed. 1/27 Feminism & an ecological worldview, part 2 Ynestra King, “The Ecology of Feminism & the Feminism of Ecology” read: 2nd ½ of article; Susan Griffin, “Women and Nature” (excerpt) Class 5 1st small-group OR Canvas Discussion – Group A Fri. 1/29 on Susan Griffin, “Women and Nature” (excerpt) Class 6 Lecture 3 – Group A in person Mon. 2/1 Sherry Ortner theory, part 1: “Is Female to Male as Nature is to Culture?” Class 7 Lecture 4 – Group B in person Wed. 2/3 Sherry Ortner theory, part 2: “Is Female to Male as Nature is to Culture?” *discussion of topics for short presentations; make choice by 2/8 Class 8 2nd small-group OR Canvas Discussion – Group B Fri. 2/5 on Sherry Ortner theory & Susan Griffin excerpt Class 9 Lecture 5 – Group A in person Mon. 2/8 History of U.S. Feminism (overview) US Feminism “waves”; Waves of Feminism; “The Personal is Political” *choose topic for short presentation – due 2/19 Class 10 Lecture 6 – Group B in person Wed. 2/10 Combahee River Collective; Audre Lorde excerpt Class 11 3rd small-group OR Canvas Discussion – online students for live discussion Fri. 2/12 on Audre Lorde excerpt & Combahee River Collective Class 12 TBD: If we have class; all will attend via Zoom. Mon. 2/15 kinds/types of feminism, part 1 Tues. 2/16 Mardi Gras – Holiday Class 13 Lecture 7 – Group B in person Wed. 2/17 kinds/types of feminism, part 2; Kimberle Crenshaw on intersectionality Class 14 4th small-group or Canvas Discussion – Group A Fri. 2/19 on A. Walker’s Womanism & Delores Williams Youtube Class 15 Lecture 8 – Group A in person–Early Ecofeminist Activism (anti-militarism) Mon. 2/22 Inspirational Activists: Ecofeminism & the Peace Movement *Go over submitted student presentations. *Presentation topics: Petra Kelly; Women’s Pentagon Action protest Grace Paley; Greenham Common; Women and Life on Earth (other topics ok; need to get approved) Class 16 Lecture 9 – Group B in person – Go over submitted presentations. Wed. 2/24 Inspirational Activists: *Go over submitted student presentations. *Presentation topics: Vandana Shiva (and Chipko); Wangari Maathai Winona LaDuke; Alice Walker; Rachel Carson (other topics ok; need to get approved) Class 17 Test/Midterm on Canvas Fri.