CMIN 335 - Intro to Black Theology

3 Credit Hours

Prerequisite: EN 132, CMIN 260, and RELI 250. This course examines the origin of Liberation Theologies and their diverse expressions. Black Theology is considered in its global context; in its roots in Latin American and African American religious thought; and in its dialogue with other theologies such as feminist and Womanist theologies. In so doing, the course introduces students to the relevant conditions, primary issues and themes of African and African American history that contributed to the formation of religion, theological thought and moral reflection. The course will also critically examine the four basic building blocks of Black Theology that were used to construct a Black Theology of liberation in response to the question - What does it mean to be Black and Christian? The course will also examine and critically analyze the theological thoughts of first generation black theologians such as James H. Cone, J. Deotis Roberts, Gayraud Wilmore and Charles H. Long. Further, second and third generation theologians such as Jacqueline Grant, Delores Williams, Dwight N. Hopkins, Cornel West, Anthony Pinn, and Eddie Glaude will be part of the class discussion as we consider responses to the first generation’s theological positions.