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Postcolonial Theology

Module description

In this option module you will explore postcolonial theologies and be introduced to their areas of tension and accord with feminist and liberation theologies. You will also investigate Christianity’s historical relationship with empire which has shaped recent and contemporary understandings of non-western traditions and interpretative frameworks. 

Module aims - intentions of the module

This module will provide an introduction to postcolonialism and the part it has variously played in the Christian tradition, interpretation of the Bible, sex, gender and Christologies. It will explore how Christianity’s historical relationship with empire has shaped recent and contemporary understandings of non-western traditions and interpretative frameworks. We will also examine in detail texts from, amongst others, Kwok Pui-lan, R.S. Sugirtharajah and Fernando F. Segovia.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate detailed knowledge of some of the major developments, questions and figures in postcolonial theology;
• 2. assess the strengths and weaknesses of postcolonial theology;
• 3. demonstrate awareness of the similarities and differences between postcolonial theology and other postmodern theologies;
• 4. make theological links between different areas of the module;

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. give fair accounts of the positions of others, based on detailed analysis of texts;
• 6. use existing knowledge to assess the cogency and coherence of the arguments of others;
• 7. develop and present a coherent argument with appropriate use of evidence and awareness of a range of alternative views;

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 8. undertake a short piece of research on a specified topic with limited guidance;
• 9. evaluate, organise and present complex material;
• 10. demonstrate consistency and rigour in method and argument;
• 11. exercise substantial autonomy in the management of their own learning;
• 12. communicate clearly in written and oral forms;
• 13. participate appropriately in a learning group.

Syllabus plan

The course will be arranged around the following central topics

Introduction to postcolonialism

Empire and the Christian Tradition

Postcolonialism and the Bible

Postcolonial theology, sex and gender

Postcolonial Christologies

We will also examine in detail texts from, amongst others, Kwok Pui-lan, R.S. Sugirtharajah and Fernando F. Segovia.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Brett, Mark (2008), Decolonizing God: The Bible in Tides of Empire, Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press 
Keller, Catherine, Michael Nausner and Mayra Rivera (eds.) (2004), Postcolonial Theologies: Divinity and Empire, St. Louis, MO: Chalice Press
Kwok Pui-lan (2005), Postcolonial Imagination and Feminist Theology, Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press
Kwok Pui-lan, Don H. Compier and Joerg Rieger (eds.) (2007), Empire and the Christian Tradition: New Readings of Classical Theologians, Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press
Moore, Stephen D. (2006), Empire and Apocalypse: Postcolonialism and the New Testament, Sheffield: Sheffield Phoenix Press
Rieger, Joerg (2007), Christ and Empire: From Paul to Postcolonial Times, Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press
Said, Edward (1978), Orientalism, London: Routledge and Kegan Paul
Segovia, Fernando F. and R.S. Sugirtharajah (eds.) (2009), A Postcolonial Commentary on the New Testament Writings, London: T&T Clark
Sugirtharajah, R.S. (ed.) (1998), The Postcolonial Bible, Sheffield: Sheffield Academic Press
Sugirtharajah, R.S. (2002), Postcolonial Criticism and Biblical Interpretation, Oxford: Oxford University Press
Sugirtharajah, R.S. (2003), Postcolonial Reconfigurations: An Alternative Way of Reading the Bible and Doing Theology, London: SCM Press
Sugirtharajah, R.S. (ed.) (2006), The Postcolonial Biblical Reader, Oxford: Blackwell

Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources

• ELE – https://vle.exeter.ac.uk/course/view.php?id=2150