Discover the layers and variations of meaning in the term “feminist” and explore a range of contemporary social issues using approaches from feminist biblical interpretation. This interdisciplinary unit surveys the history of feminism as a term and charts the increasing significance of feminism in Christian theological discourse since the 1980s, as well as resistance to it. It pays particular attention to the intersection of feminism with other theologies of liberation, against structures of oppression. Exploration of feminist methods, hermeneutics and approaches to reading and interpreting Scripture, lays a foundation from which you can explore the significance of feminist theologies for analysis of Christian doctrine, and the understanding Christian tradition and liturgical life. You will be equipped to examine the actual and potential contribution of feminist insights to shaping nuanced and vibrant theological perspectives.
Unit code: BS9111P
Unit status: Approved (New unit)
Points: 24.0
Unit level: Postgraduate Elective
Unit discipline: Biblical Studies
Proposing College: Pilgrim Theological College
Show when this unit is running| 1. | Analyse the argument of one or more key contributions to the literature of feminist biblical scholarship in English |
| 2. | Evaluate key principles of feminist biblical interpretation in relation to particular theological disciplines |
| 3. | Evaluate the contribution of feminist thought to theological discussion of a social issue in the contemporary context |
| 4. | Evaluate changing definitions of feminism in relation to their implications for the contemporary church |
| 5. | Formulate a response to a contemporary social question drawing on principles of feminist theology |
guided reading, seminars, lecture input
Althus-Reid, Marcella. Indecent Theology: theological perversions in sex, gender and politics. London: Routledge, 2010.
Byron, Gay L and Vanessa Lovelace, Womanist Interpretations of the Bible: Expanding the Discourse. Atlanta: SBL Press, 2016.
Copeland, M. Shawn. Enfleshing Freedom: Body, Race, and Being. Minneapolis: Fortress, 2009.
Dube, Musa. Postcolonial feminist interpretations of the Bible. St Louis, MO: Chalice Press, 2006.
Gafney Wilda. Womanist Midrash : A Reintroduction to the Women of the Torah and the Throne. First ed. Louisville Kentucky: Westminster John Knox Press, 2017.
Havea Jione. Jonah an Earth Bible Commentary. London: T & T Clark Ltd. ; Bloomsbury Publishing, 2020.
Junior, Nyasha,. An introduction to womanist Biblical Interpretation. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2015.
Lamptey, Jerusha Tanner. Divine Words Female Voices : Muslima Explorations in Comparative Feminist Theology. New York NY: Oxford University Press, 2018.
Kwok Pui-Lan. Hope Abundant: third world and indigenous women’s theology. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 2010.
Yee, Gale A. The Hebrew Bible : Feminist and Intersectional Perspectives. Baltimore Maryland Minneapolis Minnesota: Project Muse Fortress Press, 2018.
| Type | Description | Word count | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report | Report of 2000 words on reading and reflection |
2000 | 30.0 |
| Article (for Newspaper, e.g. letter to the editor) | 2 x 750 newsletter article, letter to the editor |
1500 | 30.0 |
| Essay | Research Essay |
4500 | 40.0 |
Unit approved for the University of Divinity by Prof Albert Haddad on 5 Jul, 2023
Unit record last updated: 2023-07-05 12:53:46 +1000