TL4301 The Image of God in the Christian Tradition
Fall Semester,
2003
Thursdays
Professor: Dr. Javier (Jay) Alanís
E-mail: revjay3@juno.com
Course Description:
This course will examine the history of the Imago Dei (image of God) concept from the time of its Jewish origins to its development as a subversive notion by the early church community and beyond through the post-modern era. The concept will be examined as a source of resistance to dominant ideologies and as a hermeneutical key for self-understanding and ethical deliberation among marginalized communities, including the Native American, Hispanic/Latino/a, African-American, Feminist, Gay/Lesbian and others. Particular focus will be given to the way marginalized communities express their resistance to imposed definitions and seek self-definition through liturgical, confessional, prose and poetic expression, and other popular practices of liberation.
Course Goals:
(1) To survey the concept of the Imago Dei (image of God) from a diversity of viewpoints
(2) To examine how marginalized communities of faith interpret this concept as a hermeneutical key for their self-understanding and for a counter-narrative that affirms their sense of uniqueness as part of the creation of God
(3) To examine how marginalized communities ritualize their self-understanding in their attempt to affirm their human dignity as part of the image of God
(4) To examine the ethical and pastoral implications that emerge from such self-understandings
(5) To inquire into the interplay between theology and ethics (how we understand and talk about God and the relational aspects that emerge from this understanding) and cultural and theological anthropology (the understanding of one’s self as cultural, spiritual, social, sexual, and gender-socialized creatures)
Format:
Our conversation will be facilitated through common readings. Each person will be responsible for reading the assigned text prior to class. The following questions guide the required reading:
Since this is a conversation-oriented class, and since we only meet once a week, regular attendance is expected. More than two unexcused absences will result in a failure of the class. If one cannot make class, please contact the professor. I encourage the use of e-mail.
Course Requirements:
The following work is required of all students:
(1) Each student will be expected to lead a discussion on a required text. Students will pick a day to lead the reading assignments using the format of a five-page critique of the book or articles and use the focus questions for class discussion. You can use the questions listed above, select several passages of the text that can be explored by the class, or employ other creative and informed means for the class to have conversation about the text. This may involve visual media such as a power point presentation or the use of film that conveys the ideas of the author or the student.
(2) Each student will write or develop a final paper that may be a liturgical project or ritual supported by an ethical and/or pastoral argument that affirms the human dignity of the marginalized community within the context of ministry in the parish. The final paper/project/ritual/argument should incorporate and integrate the required reading and offer additional research on the topic. Each student should choose a community she/he is not familiar with or in the alternative, a community she/he expects or desires to serve in ministry. Please consult the professor for approval of the final project or for assistance in source materials.
Methodology:
A variety of methods will be employed in this course. There will be lectures, discussion of readings, films, and the final paper/project presentation by the students. The professor will engage the students with a critical lens of the reading material.
Expectations:
A high degree of mutual respect in the conversation and dialogue among the students and the professor will be maintained at all times. Interruptions in the presentation of an argument or perspective are discouraged; that is, please allow the person to finish her or his argument or critique before offering a counter-argument or perspective. This will allow all of us to follow the train of thought of the student or professor in her/his analysis.
Grading:
(1) Regular attendance and participation in class discussions: 25% of the grade.
(2) Leading of class discussion on an assigned text and written critique: 25%.
(3) The final paper/project and presentation: 50%.
Required
Anzaldúa, Gloria, Borderlands/La Frontera: The New Mestiza
Burgess, John P. ed. In Whose Image? Faith, Science, and the New Genetics
Douglas, Kelly Brown, The Black Christ
Elizondo, Virgil, Guadalupe, Mother of the New Creation
Glaser, Chris, Coming Out as Sacrament
Graham, Larry Kent, Discovering Images of God
Kidwell, Noley, & Tinker, A Native American Theology
Articles:
Aponte, Edwin David, “Coritos as Active Symbol in Latino Protestant Popular Religion,” in Journal of Hispanic Latino Theology, Vol. 2:3 (1995), 57-66.
Hilkert, Mary Catherine, “Cry Beloved Image, Rethinking the Image of God,” in In The Embrace of God, Feminist Approaches to Theological Anthropology, ed. Ann O’Hara Graff, 190-205.
Isasi-Diaz,
“On Human Dignity”
Recommended
Required
Recommended
Soelle, To Love and To Work, Chapters 1-4
Required
Video: “The Woman Clothed with the Sun”
Required
Articles: Hilkert, “Cry Beloved Image, Rethinking the Image of God”
Isasi-Díaz: “Elements of a Mujerista Anthropology”
Video: Isasi-Díaz
Recommended
Required
Video: The Native Americans: The Nations of the Northeast
Recommended
Peelman, Achiel. Christ Is a Native American
Rivera, Luis. A Violent Evangelism: The Political and
Religious Conquest of the
Treat,
James, ed. Native and Christian: Indigenous Voices on Religious Identity in
the
Required
Film: The Color Purple
Recommended
Cone, James. God of the Oppressed
Battle, Michael. Reconciliation: The Ubuntu Theology of Desmond Tutu
Required
Recommended
Howe, Leroy. The Image of God: A Theology of Pastoral Care and Counseling
Switzer, David K. Pastoral Care
of Gays, Lesbians, and Their Families
Boykin, Keith. One
Longres, John F. Men of
Color: A Context for Service to
Homosexually Active Men
Required
Recommended
Wink, Walter, ed. Homosexuality and Christian Faith
Required
González, Alabadle! Hispanic Christian Worship, Hispanic Creed, 115.
Video (Liturgy as artistic expression of the divine encounter): Fiesta