2.321 20 Century Theologies of Liberation: Rationale

1
2.321 20th Century Theologies of

Liberation
Mondays, 1:30 – 4:10 pm
Office Hours: by appointment
Dr. Kristin Johnston Largen
Rationale
Typically when we hear or read the word “theology,” what is implied is
that which has come down to us through the mainstream Western
European tradition, primarily constituted by [dead] white men. Any
“other” theology is just that: appropriate and applicable for certain
segments of the population, but not universal the way traditional
theology is. This continuing misconception about the context and
content of “real” systematic theology is no longer tenable. Therefore,
this course seeks to educate future public ministers on the importance
of recognizing the influence of social location on any expression of
systematic theology, and the need to be open to the insights of
theologies done by those in very different locations from oneself. In
this way, this course addresses the following objective of the Master of
Divinity Degree as stated in the Gettysburg Catalog: “Relate their
denominational heritage to a mission context in the 21st century.”
Further, it also addresses one of the goals of the historical-theological
studies department: “Understand and evaluate the plural forms of
Christian identity, particularly the Lutheran tradition, and relate that
tradition to other ecumenical and religious perspectives.”
Course Objectives
Upon completion of this course, the students should be able to:
1) Define and describe each specific theology covered in this course
2) Relate each different theology to the practice of public ministry
3) Engage each of the required texts with depth and understanding
4) Clearly express sophisticated theological reasoning in both written
and oral communication
Strategies for achieving course objectives

Students will be expected to meet the following course
requirements:
1. Required Reading:
The students are expected to read all assigned readings
carefully. The assigned reading consists of the following
books:
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“Reflections on the Right Use of School Studies with a View to the

Love of God,” Simone Weil
[www.chosunjournal.com/weil.html]– [This essay is to be
read before the first day of class]
A Theology of Liberation, Gustavo Gutierrez
Sexism & God-Talk, Rosemary Radford Ruether
A Black Theology of Liberation, James Cone
Sisters in the Wilderness, Delores Williams
Caminemos con Jesus, Roberto Goizueta
Super, Natural Christians, Sallie McFague
2. Class Attendance & Preparation:

Students are expected to attend class regularly, listen to
lectures attentively and take notes, and actively engage in all
class discussions. Repeated absences will be reflected in the
student’s final grade.
In this class, and in this seminary, we respect the rules

of inclusivity, as stated in the academic catalog, pages
13-14. Please note that written work that does not
conform to these standards will be returned for a re-
write; and in the classroom, we will practice referring
to both human beings and God in ways that are
respectful of personhood and inclusive in terms of
gender, race and class.
3. Class Assignments:
Timely completion of all assignments is expected of all students.
Late work
may or may not be accepted, at the instructor’s discretion. A
reduction in the
grade should be expected for late work.
a) Book Evaluations
Of the books assigned, the student is required to do a short
theological analysis of four of the six required
textbooks [the student can choose which four], which
will consist of the following. First, the student will
summarize the book – the main objectives of the author,
the thesis, the structure of the chapters, etc. This should
take roughly 2 pages. Then, the student will engage a
particular argument/statement/truth claim of the author,
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and offer her/his analysis of it. This should take roughly 4

pages. The student will bring this paper to class on the
due date assigned, and will use it as a basis for group
discussions on the books. The papers then will be turned
in to the instructor, and each of these short papers will
count 10% toward the final course grade.
b) Final Theological Analysis

The final paper in the class will consist of a constructive
analysis of one of the different theologies of liberation
discussed in class as it relates to one’s public ministry. The
paper should be organized as follows. First, the student
should demonstrate a knowledge of the particular theology
under discussion by defining it and summarizing its key
characteristics. This should take roughly 3-4 pages of the
paper. The bulk of the paper, then, should be devoted to
discussing how this particular theology is relevant for one’s
public ministry; that is, how it might positively inform the
thinking and praxis of the Church today. This could include
ideas that challenge traditional Lutheran theology [or
Presbyterian, Assemblies of God, Methodist, etc.] and also
those that help us to see things in a positive new light.
This paper should be roughly 10 pages in length, with
proper footnotes/endnotes, and a bibliography. The paper
is due the final day of class, where each student will
present a summation of his/her analysis.
c) Dialog Review
One of the long-term goals of this course is to inspire
interest and enthusiasm for systematic theology that will
continue on into the student’s public ministry. One
excellent means of developing and sustaining such interest
is through the reading of quality theological journals. To
that end, one of the course requirements is a short review
of any major journal article from the past three years from
Dialog. This review should be no more than 2-3 pages,
and simply summarize the article read, including the main
points of the author, and conclude with a short response by
the student. This assignment is due on the last day of
class, but may be submitted at any point in the semester.
Evaluations
1. Book Evaluations: 40% [each book worth 10%]
2. Theological Analysis: 40%
3. Class attendance & participation: 10%
4. Dialogue Review: 10%
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Course Outline:
September 10th Class Introductions
Review of Syllabus
Introduction to the course
“Reflections on the Right Use of School Studies with a View to the
Love of God,” Simone Weil [on reserve or on-line]
September 17th Latin American Liberation

Theology
The Liberation of Theology, Juan Luis Segundo,
chapter 1, “The Hermeneutical Circle” [on reserve]
A Theology of Liberation, Gustavo Gutierrez
chapters 1, 7, & 8
September 24th Latin American Liberation

Theology
*Book Evaluation Due & discussion
A Theology of Liberation, chapters 9, 10, 11, 12
October 1st Feminist Theology

“Women’s Experience between a Rock & a Hard Place,” Serene
Jones,
in Horizons in Feminist Theology, edited by Rebecca Chopp
& Sheila Greeve Davaney [on reserve]
Beyond God the Father, Mary Daly
Introduction & chapter 1, “After the Death of God the
Father”
[on reserve]
October 8th Feminist Theology

Sexism & God-Talk, Rosemary Radford Ruether,
chapters 1, 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, &Postscript
October 15th Black Theology

A Black Theology of Liberation, James Cone, pp. 1-81
October 22nd Black Theology

A Black Theology of Liberation, James Cone
[pp. 82-142; &169]
October 29th Womanist Theology

Sisters in the Wilderness, Delores Williams
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Part 1: Sisters in the Wilderness
October 31st: LUTHER COLLOQUY
November 5th Latino/Latina Theology

Caminemos con Jesus, Roberto Goizueta
chapters 1-3
November 12th Latino/Latina Theology

Caminemos con Jesus, chapters 4-7
November 19th NO CLASS

Dr. Largen at the American Academy of Religion Meeting
November 26th Eco-Theology

Super, Natural Christians, Sallie McFague
chapters 1-5
December 3rd Final Presentations

*Final deadline for journal article
December 10th Final Presentations

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1

2.321 20th Century Theologies of

Strategies for achieving course objectives

“Reflections on the Right Use of School Studies with a View to the

2. Class Attendance & Preparation:

In this class, and in this seminary, we respect the rules

and offer her/his analysis of it. This should take roughly 4

b) Final Theological Analysis

September 17th Latin American Liberation

September 24th Latin American Liberation

October 1st Feminist Theology

October 8th Feminist Theology

October 15th Black Theology

October 22nd Black Theology

October 29th Womanist Theology

Part 1: Sisters in the Wilderness

October 31st: LUTHER COLLOQUY

November 5th Latino/Latina Theology

November 12th Latino/Latina Theology

November 19th NO CLASS

November 26th Eco-Theology

December 3rd Final Presentations

December 10th Final Presentations

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