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with Dr. Oluwatomisin Olayinka Oredein

Tuesdays: January 13, 20, 27 and February 10, 17, 24

4-6pm Pacific | 5-7pm Mountain | 6-8pm Central | 7-9pm Eastern

From our friends at Episcopal Divinity School:

Western colonialism has marked much of the modern world in various ways, especially through (Christian) theological ideas and assertions. Outside of one having a sense of awareness of colonialism’s impact, how does one break away from this systematic and theological haunting? How does one begin to repair the social, cultural, and theological fissures colonialism has wrought? One must commune with resistance, learning the language of the affected and oppressed—and commit to them through courageous practice and re-imagination. Liberation from colonial ghosts requires learning from and practicing decolonial approaches.

This class centers voices, ideas, and responses that embody a decolonial response in their approach to Christian discourse, or how Christianity’s reach, influence, and values have been historically articulated. Such a response magnifies liberation in its commitment to resisting multiple modes of supremacy.

Course Objectives
Through this course students will:

  • Actively identify where colonialism and its residual ideas are embedded in Western Christian theological values, social ideas, and practice (including those closest to them);
  • Explore how various voices and communities have resisted and subverted colonialism’s efforts to mark and make certain identities, and;
  • Experiment with creating and articulating a decolonial theological framework grounded in liberative discourse that they believe will be helpful for their current or future church or religious organizational setting.

Content Warning:
Please be advised: Materials students will engage with in this class include and/or speak to various violences (physical, sexual, psychological, and social, etc.), misogynoir, sexism, heterosexism, racism, patriarchy, and white supremacy. These and other issues will be broached during this course. This course also centers and engages the stories and work of ethnically minoritized voices. Registration and continuation in this class communicates your willingness to thoughtfully engage said materials and conversations concerning said topics.

Course Expectations

  • Actively participate in a two-hour weekly Zoom course, engaging in discussions and activities
  • Read weekly assignment (approx. 20–40 pages, or equivalent media) and offer critically-reflective thoughts in class
  • Participate in at least 5 of the 6 classes
  • Attend at least 1 of the 2 accompanying colloquia (public virtual events with guest scholars on January 29 and February 19 - further details coming soon)
  • Complete final project crafting a decolonial theology (due March 3)

Cost structure:
Three tiers, pay what you can: $300, $150, or $75. Financial aid is available - inquire by emailing edsinfo@eds.edu.

Full details can be found here.

Enroll by January 5.

Register