MODULE DESCRIPTION
1. Module Title: QF517
2. Module Code: Gendered Approaches to Faith
3. Aims: This module aims to:
 to demonstrate and engage the diversity within contemporary feminist and masculinist theologies,
drawing on theologies from around the globe and from different philosophical traditions.
 to show how gendered approaches to theology impact on readings of biblical texts.
 to consider implications of gender for Christian mission and ministry.
 to stimulate both academic and personal responses from the students to the challenges represented
by the course to their own perceptions of faith.
4. Summary:
This course will introduce and consider both Christian feminist theologies as they have arisen historically in the past
several decades, and male/masculine responses to feminism, and the development of distinctive perspectives on faith
from both feminist and masculine gendered approaches. The course will offer an introduction to the historical and
social contexts which gave rise to feminism and later masculine responses, and identify key methodological principles
(notions of patriarchy, gender, different theoretical approaches to feminism and masculinities, etc.). The course will then
proceed by examining major topics in Christian theology, exploring a variety of approaches to these topics from
feminist and masculinist perspectives. The following key areas will be considered: the Bible, religious language and
models of God, sin and salvation, Christology, the Church and Christian ministry, the nature and practice of spirituality.
5. Special Features: None.
MODULE ADMINISTRATION AND ORGANISATION
6. Module Leader/Coordinator: Nicola Slee
7. External Examiner: tbc
8. Subject Area responsible for the module: Theology
9. Subject Assessment Board that considers the module results: Theology
10. Programme Assessment Board(s) that considers the programme results: Single Honours
Programme Assessment Board
11. Module Size: Single
12. CATS Points: 10
13. ECTS Credits: 5
14. Number of Weeks: 9
15. Total Student Study Hours: 100
Incorporating:
Total contact hours: 31
(Made up from
Seminars: 15
Directed Learning:
20
Self-directed time:
49
Tutorials: 1
Small group sessions: 15)
16. Availability/where delivered: The Queen’s Foundation
17. Programmes for which this module is mandatory: None
18. Programmes for which this module is optional: B.A. in Theology
19. Specific Pre-requisites: None
TEACHING, LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT
20. Intended Learning Outcomes:
A.
Subject Specific Knowledge and Understanding
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Identify, reflect upon and apply insights from key issues in Christian feminist theology and in critical
masculinity studies (A1, A2, A6)
2. Evaluate the contributions of a range of feminist and masculinist theologians to contemporary
theology and the practice of Christian ministry (A4, A6)
B.
Subject Specific Skills and Competences
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Demonstrate the ability to read a selected biblical text (or texts) through a gendered hermeneutics
lens (B5)
2. Make reflective use of course content in the development of their own ministerial and pastoral
practic (B6)
C.Generic Transferable Skills
On successful completion of this module, students should have some or all of the following
skills:
Communication:
1. Show the ability to communicate Christian theology with awareness of gender issues through, for
example, leadership of worship and preaching (C1, C2, C3)
Working with Others:
2. Show pastoral sensitivity to how gender is a factor in all interpersonal and structural relationships
within the life of the church, and demonstrate the ability to relate sensitively to men and women
with insight into gender issues (C3, C6)
21. Professional/Subject Benchmarks and Standards relating to this module:
QAA benchmarks for Theology & Religious Studies
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/academicinfrastructure/benchmark/statements/Theolo
gy.pdf
5.4 (i,ii,iii,iv,v); 5.6 (i,ii,iii,iv); 5.8 (i,iv,x)
Church of England Ministry Division (2006) Shaping the Future London: Church House Publishing
22. Indicative Content:
1.
Introduction to course and to feminist theologies : Context and key concepts
2.
Rethinking masculinity: Introduction to male responses to feminist theology
3.
Texts of Terror or Emancipatory Discourse? The Bible in Feminist Perspective
4.
Re-reading the Bible as gendered people: Biblical case studies
5.
What Language Shall I Borrow? Religious Language and Models of God
6.
In Search of a Round Table: Eccelesiology in Feminist Perspective
7.
Deadly Innocence? Sin and salvation in gendered perspectives
8.
Can a Male Saviour Save Women? Christology in gendered perspective
9.
Group presentations, conclusions and evaluation
23. Teaching and Learning Methods:
A key aim of the course will be to demonstrate, by the use of both male and female tutors, the dialogue that
is possible between feminist and masculine approaches to faith, and to work through a dialogical,
conversational method of interaction between the co-tutors of the course and the student body.
23.a) Disability Equality Duty – Are there any elements of the module that could limit access to
potential students?
Reasonable adjustments will be made for those individuals with special requirements, based on their
personal circumstances.
24. Method of Assessment:
Component 1: 20 %
A 10 minute group presentation in the final class, based on reading and relating to key concepts engaged in
the course.
This will assess intended learning outcomes: A1, A2, B1 and B2
Component 2: 80%
A 2,500 word written assignment
This will assess intended learning outcomes: A1, A2, B1 and B2
Students will pass the module if they marginally fail (35%-39%) no more than one component,
provided they obtain an overall mark of at least 40%
24.a) Alternative method of assessment offered for students with disabilities (if appropriate):
Where appropriate, having sought relevant advice, reasonable adjustments will be made.
25. Method of Reassessment:
The maximum mark for reassessed work is 40%
MODULE RESOURCES
26. Indicative Essential Reading:
Mark Pryce, Finding a Voice: Men, Women and the Community of the Church. (London: SCM, 1996)
Nicola Slee, Faith and Feminism: An Introduction to Christian Feminist Theology (DLT, 2003)
Catherine Clark Kroeger & Mary J Evans (eds.) The IVP Women’s Bible Commentary (IVP, 2002)
Carol A Newsome & Sharon H Ringe (eds.) The Women's Bible Commentary (SPCK, 1992)
A list of appropriate URLs will be included in the Module Handbook
27. Indicative Recommended Reading:
A) Feminist theologies
Zoë Bennett Moore, Introducing Feminist Perspectives on Pastoral Theology (Sheffield Academic Press, 2002)
Lisa Isherwood & Dorothea McEwan, Introducing Feminist Theology (Sheffield Academic Press, 1993)
Lisa Isherwood & Dorothea McEwan (eds.), An A to Z of Feminist Theology (Sheffield Academic Press, 1996)
Catherine Maury LaCugna, Freeing Theology: The Essentials of Theology in Feminist Perspective (Harper, 1993)
Susan Frank Parsons (ed.) The Cambridge Companion to Feminist Theology (CUP, 2002)
Lucy Reid, She Changes Everything (Continuum, 2006)
Susan A Ross & Mary Catherine Hilkert, ‘Feminist Theology: A Review of the Literature’, Theological Studies 56/2
(1995), 327-52 (available via Ebsco).
Janet Martin Soskice & Janet Martin Lipton (eds.) Feminism and Theology: A Reader (Oxford University Press,
2003)
Elaine Storkey & Margaret Hebblethwaite, Conversations on Christian Feminism: Speaking Heart to Heart
(Fount/HarperCollins, 1999)
Natalie K Watson, Feminist Theology (Eerdmans, 2003)
B) Masculine responses
Roy McCloughry, Men and Masculinity: From Power to Love (London: Hodder & Stoughton, 1992)
Roy McCloughry and Roger Murphy, Men Without Masks. (Cambridge: Grove Books, )
James Nelson, The Intimate Connection: Male Sexuality, Masculine Spirituality (London: SPCK, 1992)
Richard Rohr, Adam’s Return. (New York: Cross Roads, 2004.)
James and Evelyn Whitehead, “Re-Imagining the Masculine.” The Way 32 (2), pp.113-122.
Brian Wren, What Language Shall I Borrow? God-Talk in Worship: A Male Response to Feminist Theology
(London: SCM, 1989)
A list of appropriate URLs will be included in the Module Handbook
28. Required Equipment: None