RELIGION 341: Women in the Christian Tradition

Georgetown College

RELIGION 341: Women in the Christian Tradition

12:45-2:00TTR Fall20**

Dr. Sheila KlopferPhone 863-8361

ffice Pawling Hall 306

Course Description:

This course is designed to enrich the student’s understanding of the biblical, historical and theological themes and terminology relatedto women in the Christian tradition. As an introductory study, it approaches the topic from three converging disciplines: the biblical texts, theological reflections, and historical studies. These three disciplines (Scripture, Theology, and History) will be the springboard for addressing important questions regarding women: What does the Bible say about women? How are the texts to be interpreted? What Christian identity have women assumed throughout history? Particular emphasis will be invested in studying women’s role in the Bible, society, and the church. The goal of the class will be to gain a better understanding of women in light of the gospel message.

Textbooks:

Lynn Japinga, Feminism and Christianity: An Essential Guide. [FAC] Nashville: Abingdon

Press, 2004.

MacHaffie, Barbara J. Her Story: Women in Christian Tradition. [HS] 2nd Edition. Minneapolis:

Fortress Press, 2006.

Soskice, Janet Martin and Diana Lipton. Oxford Readings in Feminism: Feminism and Theology.

[FT] New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.

A New Testament or Bible (preferably several) basic translations such as NIV (or TNIV),

RSV (or NRSV), NASB (or NASU), and NAB.

Other: Materials handed out in class or placed on Moodle

Course Obectives:

The student will be able to:

1. analyze scriptures critically
2. recognize various methods of interpreting scriptures
3. discuss the status, role, writings, and experiences of women in church history
4. assess various theological developments associated with women throughout history
5. evaluate a variety of feminist theologies
6. recognize contemporary issues associated with women and the church
7. discuss the role of historical and cultural conditioning on church teachings
8. develop their own conclusions regarding the female as reflected through biblical, theological, and historical studies

Method of Instruction:

Lecture and dialogue will be the primary method of instruction. Class participation and response will be fundamental to the course’s intent. The lecture/dialogue will concentrate on the assigned reading material and class presentations. Students will be asked to write reflective briefs and essays with the intent of discussing the assigned reading and written materials in class.

Requirements of the Course:

Attend 80% of the classes

Read the assigned pages in required textbooks and additional handouts distributed throughout the

semester.

Write and read aloud reflective briefs (“Ditties”)

Weekly ditties will be used to focus the student’s attention on a particular subject matter and to stimulate class discussion. They are intended to develop critical and reflective skills, as well as scholarly writing techniques. Ditty topics and due dates will be announced in class.

Research, write, and discuss 3Essays

These papers are designed to develop critical research, reading, and writing skills in the

field of Women’s studies. The student will be required to develop a thesis that provides

focus for the paper and requires proof or further development in the body of the paper.

Students will select paper topics that correspond to the biblical, historical, and theological

studies of Women in the Christian Tradition. (5-7 pages, double spaced)

Announced and Unannounced Quizzes may be given over reading or lectures.

Extra Credit Option: Extra credit options may be available throughout the semester.

Submit all work Typewritten

Grading Policies and Procedures:

All work is due at the beginning of the class period. Late assignments will be lowered

one letter grade. Papers that are more than one week late will receive a zero.

WeightScale

100-95A

Ditties and Quizzes1/494-88A/B

3 Essays3/487-83B

82-78B/C

77-70C

69-60D

Below 60F

Students should read the section of their Georgetown College Catalog on Academic Honesty. The professor will make a disciplinary decision appropriate to the severity of any offenses and refer the matter to the Dean of Student Life. The student should be particularly aware of plagiarism. For example: Any time words are quoted directly they must be enclosed in quotation marks, and the source must be referenced. If ideas and thoughts of a particular author are re-worded by the student, no quotations are necessary, but the source must still be referenced.

Attendance:

Students are encouraged to attend all classes and required to attend 80%. Students should notify the professor of any absences. They must procure any missed information from other students. Attendance will be recorded at the beginning of the class period. Three tardies will count as one absence. One and a half points will be deducted from the final semester grade for every unexcused absence over two. More than five unexcused absences will result in an automatic failure of the course.
Schedule of Class Assignments:

All reading assignments are due on the week noted. This outline will be adjusted as needed.

Introduction and Sources of Feminist Theology

Week 1Aug 26, 28FAC: Introduction, ch 1

Week 2Sep 2, 4FAC: ch 2; FT: 11-46 “Why Feminist Theology?”

Hebrew Scriptures: God, Creation, Humanity, and Personalities

Week 3Sep 9, 11Schneiders: “The Bible and Feminism: Biblical Theology”

FAC: ch 3(Theology – Doctrine of God)

Placher: “The Acts of God: What Do We Mean by Revelation?”

Week 4Sep 16, 18FT: 109-120, 258-267

FAC: ch 4 (Human Nature and Sin)

Goldstein, “The Human Situation: A Feminine View”

Week 5Sep 23, 25FT: 123-187 (Hebrew Scriptures)

Essay #1 Roughdraft Due (include thesis sentences and Bibliography)

New Testament: Jesus, Women, and the Early Church

Week 6Sep 30, Oct 2Upton: “Feminist Theology as Biblical Hermeneutics”

FT: 188-226

Jo Shoop Lecture (Oct 2, 10:00 - 11:00 in Hall of Fame)

Essay #1 Due [Biblical]

Week 7Oct 7, 9FAC: chs 5, 6 (Christology, Soteriology)

Week 8Oct 14Fall Break – No Class

Oct 16FT: 287-301, 333-343

Week 9Oct 21, 23FAC: ch 7 (Ecclesiology)

Essay #2 Roughdraft Due (include thesis sentences and Bibliography)

Women in Church History

Week 10Oct 28, 30HS: chs 1-2 (Early and Medieval Church History)

Essay #2 Due [Historical]

Week 11Nov 4, 6HS: chs 3-4 (Reformation and Colonial America)

Week 12Nov 11, 13HS: chs 5-6 (Missions and Nineteenth Century)

Week 13Nov 18, 20HS: ch 7 (American Catholicism and Sectarianism)

Essay #3 Roughdraft Due (include thesis sentences and Bibliography)

Week 14Nov 25HS: chs 8-9 (Twentieth Century)

Susan Ross, “The Women’s Movement and Theology in the 20th Century”

Nov 27Thanksgiving No Class

Week 15Dec 2, 4FT: 91-101, 302-326, 344-364 “Feminist Theologies”

Week 16Dec 9Essay #3 Due [Theological]

Last ClassSat Dec 13 (3:00-5:00)