Liberation Theology in America

elective courses

The aim of the course Liberation Theology in America is a critical reflection on the cultural implication of the political involvement of theologians in public debate. We will start with the common opinion that it is a Marxists ideology. Exactly this “bad reputation” was the reason why Vatican violently opposed this type of theological reflection. Also the presence of this new way of approaching religious tradition in other religions will be taken into consideration particularly as a postcolonial phenomenon.

The aim of the course Liberation Theology in America is a critical reflection on the cultural implication of political involvement of theologians in public debate. We will start with the common opinion that it is a Marxists ideology. Exactly this bad reputation was the reason why Vatican violently opposed this type of theological reflection. Also the presence of this new way of approaching religious tradition in other religions will be taken in consideration particularly as a postcolonial phenomenon. For example, the pope Francis, (elected to the office on March 2013), coming from Latin America. seems to be free from these stereotypes, but it is still open if he could be considered as a representative of LTh. The difference between him and other leaders of this movement will be presented.

Also the feministic theology and native theological reflection born in Asia and Africa will be presented as examples of LTh in XXI century. The main goal of the course is to prepare students to participate actively in the public debate in a pluralistic society in which relgion is still important and unfortunately polarizing element.

1 week: Introduction to the course

2 week: Liberation Theology (LTh) and Marxism.

3 week: Why Vatican was opposed LTh

4 week: Is pope Francis a theologian of liberation

5 week: Main representatives of LTh

6 week: Feminism as an expression of LTh

7 week: Theology of liberation and colonialism

8 week: Liberation theology in other religions

9 week: Martin L. King, Abraham J. Heschel as representatives of LTh in the USA

10 week: Anthropological pauperization in Africa

12 week: Interreligious dialogue as a form of LTh.

13 week: presentations

14 week: presentations

15 week: final exam

Mysterium Liberationis. Fundamental Concepts of Liberation Theology, ed. Ignation Ellacuria Jon Sobrino, NY1993.

G. Gutierrez, A Liberation Theology, 1988.

The Cambridge Companion to Liberation Theology, Cambridge 2007.

Iveriegh, The Great Reformer. Francis and the Making of Radical Pope, 2014.

An Introduction to Third World Theologies, 2004

M. Daly, Beyond God the Father, 1985.

Faces of Jesus in Africa, 1991

Marc H. Ellis, Toward a Jewish Theology of Liberation, Waco Texas 2004.

E. Fiorenza Schuster, Bread not Stone, 1995.

Students gain in-depth and detailed knowledge (including terminology, theory and methodology) in various aspects of cultural anthropology and philosophy, particularly liberation theology. Students gain also knowledge of different aspects of presence of religion in public debate. Students learn to construct strategies of dialogue with representatives of different religions.

a) knowledge

Upon completing this course a student has an introductory theoretical knowledge of the problem of liberation theology, knows basic terminology connected with the history of religions, has an in-depth knowledge of the place and meaning of different schools and methods connected with the study of liberation theology, knows advanced methods and research tools used to describe this phenomenon, recognized the dynamics and consequences of changes in understanding of the past, understands the phenomenon of structuring the liberation theology, knows the history of religions in America understands the role of the national history in American culture, recognized the dynamics and consequences of changes in understanding of the past and is aware of the comprehensive nature of the religions not only in America but also in the world.

b) skills

Upon completing this course a student is able to research and analyze different theories, has advanced interdisciplinary analysis skills and is able to use those skills to prepare an academic article or presentation, identifies and recognizes relations between different theories and political choices, formulates research hypotheses and evidences them basing on knowledge, formulates his or her own judgments concerning liberation theology and the way how it is understood in the United States, critically analyzes and interprets various proposition concerning liberation theology, formulates critical arguments on topics related to the way how the Catholicism is understood, has an ability to prepare a debate concerning the history and the way how it is interpreted employing theoretical skills

c) social competences

Upon completing this course a student is able to cooperate and work in a group, performing and preparing the debate, is able to properly plan and undertake research, understand the importance of solid research for a citizen of a democratic country, understands and appreciates the role of collaboration for successful participation in the life in the Unites States, understands the importance of social activity and critical in the USA, demonstrates respect for different opinions and understanding of democratic debate and actively participates in it, understands the need for continuous learning in the area of history und culture, completes and improves his or her knowledge of contemporary life and social development.

Each of the lesson units is an independent whole, although they are closely related. Participants are expected not only to read the provided material, but also to actively and critically participate in the classes. Activity in the classroom, the ability to critically analyze the proposed texts and creativity in proposing additional materials will be assessed.