BC/NT610:AFRICAN AMERICAN BIBLICAL INTERPRETATION
ASHLAND THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
Fall Quarter, 2013
October 11-12, November 15-16, December 13-14, 2011
Fridays & Saturdays (6:00p.m.-9:00pm.//8:00a.m.- 4:00p.m.) Cleveland--McCreary Center
William H. Myers, Ph. D.
email” [email protected]
phone 216-431-5468 (o)//216-267-4543 (h)
fax 216-431-6240
I. Course Description
The course will examine the historical roots of hermeneutical ideologies and methodologies that
marginalize the presence and influence of Africa and those of African descent upon the Bible and biblical
interpretation. In addition, the course will explore the distinctive of Afrocentric hermeneutics and the
contributions it makes to biblical interpretation in general.
II. Student Learning Outcomes
As a result of taking this course, students will develop competencies in the following areas:
1. Understand the development, scope, methodology and application of Afrocentric hermeneutics
2. Understand the similarities, dissimilarities and critiques of other hermeneutical methodologies such as
Eurocentric, feminist and womanist
3. Understand its interdisciplinary approach and sources
4. Understand the significance and importance of social location on the interpretive process
5. Apply this methodology to a selected biblical text.
6. Compare and contrast this non-traditional reading strategy to traditional reading strategies.
7. Critique this methodology from the perspective of other voices, for example womanist
8.. Demonstrate how the application of this methodology to biblical texts can speak differently to one's
context and/or a broader global context
9.. Not assessed in this course.
III. Teaching Strategies for Student Learning
The very nature of this course is to introduce the student to a variety of voices of voices and approaches to
this methodology. Therefore, lecture style will be very limited in this course. It will be treated like a
graduate seminar in which students are expected to read the assignments, reflect on the material, engage one
another in assigned groups and report on the material in class. The course will also include when possible
other multi-media presentations. Whereas most assignments will be oral, some will be written. The very
nature of this course is designed to immerse the student in the biblical texts and interpretive perspectives
from a wide array of African American voices that are socially located differently.
IV. Course Requirements
A. Tesxtbooks (Requirwd)
Blount, Brian K.., Gen. ed. True to our Native Land: An African American Commentary on the New
Testament Minneapolis: Fortress, 2007 (available May1,2007)
Brown, Michael J. Blackening of the Bible: The Aims of African American Biblical Scholarship.
Harrisburg: Trinity Press Internatiional,2004.
Callahan, Allen D.. The Talking Book African Americans and the Bible. New Haven: Yale Univ. Press,
2006
Felder, Cain Hope, ed. Stony the Road We Trod: African American Biblical Interpretation.
Minneapolis: Fortress, 1991.
Recommended textbooks
Bailey, Randall C. , ed., Yet with a Steady Beat: Contemporary Afrocentric Biblical Interpretation.
Semeia Studies. Atlanta: Society of Biblical Literature, 2003.
Bailey, Randall C. and Jacquelyn Grant, eds. The Recovery of Black Presence: An Interdisciplinary
Exploration. Nashville: Abingdon, 1995.
Blount, Brian K. Go Preach! Mark’s Kingdom Message and the Black Church Today. Maryknoll,
New York: Orbis, 1998.
__________. Then the Whisper Put On Flesh: New Testament Ethics in an African American
Context. Nashville: Abingdon, 2001.
Byron, Gay L. Symbolic Blackness and Ethnic Difference in Early Christian Literature. New york:
Routledge, 2002
**Copher, Charles. Black Biblical Studies. Chicago: Black Light Fellowship, 1993 (Order: 312-5630081)
Roberts, J. Deotis. Africentric Christianity: A Theological Appraisal for Ministry. Valley Forge:
Judson Press, 2000.
Sadler, Jr., Rodney S. Can a Cushite Change His Skin? : An Examination of Race, Ethnicity, and
Othering in the Hebrew Bible. New York: T& T Clark, 2005.
**Sanders, Cheryl J., ed. Living the Intersection: Womanism and Afrocentrism in Theology.
Minneapolis: Fortress, 1995.
Waters, Kenneth L., Sr. Afrocentric Sermons: The Beauty of Blackness in the Bible. Valley Forge:
Judson Press, 1993.
**Weems, Renita J. Just A Sister Away: A Womanist Vision of Woman’s Relationships in the Bible.
San Diego: LuraMedia, 1988.
B. Attendance
According to the student handbook, attendance at all class sessions is expected unless the
professor has been notified in advance. Any student missing the equivalent of six class hours will be
required to do additional work, receive a lower grade or withdraw from the class; this is at the discretion of
the professor.
1.
2.
3.
C. Assignments/Assessment of Student Learning
A ten-fifteen page well-documented Afrocentric biblical hermeneutics research paper
from one of the four categories of contemporary Afrocentric biblical research, or practical
ministry project describing how youwould implement such a project in your ministerial
context. Either academic or professional research project must come from one of the
Afrocentric contemporary categories.
Individual or group (depend on class size) presentations on the four different Arocentric
methodological approaches.
An individual class presentation that either compares/contrast and/or critiques your
Arocentric biblical interpretation for your project to some other interpretive perspective
(e.g., Eurocentricl, femenist, womanist, Native American, Hispanic )presentation on your
chosenmajor project biblical text.
D. Calculation of Grade and Connection of Learning Outcomes
Assignments
1. Major research project
2. Afrocentric methodologies
class presentations
3. Afrocentric compare/contrast,
critique class presentations
Learning Outcomes
Percent of Final Grade
5,6,7,8
1,3,4
50%
2,5,6,7
25%
25%
V. Course Schedule
Week #
Date(s)
1
October 11-12, 2013
Lecture/Topic
Framing the Perspective
2
November 15-16, 2013
Critiquing the Perspective
Assignments
2 , See outline in
attachment for readings
3, ditto
3
December 13-14, 2013
Applying the Perspective
1, ditto
VI Other Course Instructions
Please bring a modern version of the Bible to class (e.g., NIV, ESV, NRSV)
VII. Recommendations for Lifelong Learning
There are an enormous number of books, articles, videos, seminars being produced by Afr4ican
American scholars today. See the McCreary Center website for video lectures and courses,
links, course offerings, seminars, etc. See the Sam DeWitt Proctor Institure and the American
Academy of Religion for numerous African American scholar presentations, both national and
global.
.
VIII. Seminary Guidelines
A. ATS Academic Integrity Policy
Ashland Theological Seminary seeks to model servant leadership derived from biblical standards
of honesty and integrity. We desire to encourage, develop, and sustain men and women of
character who will exemplify these biblical qualities in their ministry to the church and the world.
As members of the seminary community, students are expected to hold themselves to the highest
standards of academic, personal, and social integrity. All students, therefore, are expected to abide
by the academic integrity standards outlined in the Student Handbook.
B. Writing Assistance
If you need assistance with writing projects for your coursework, contact the ATS Writing Center.
The center provides free sessions with a peer consultant who can help you with all of your
concerns about academic writing. Contact the center if you have a question about how to complete
your assignment, if you have documentation questions, or if you would like to have your paper
evaluated for areas needing improvement. The ATS Writing Center can be reached at 419-2895162 or by e-mail at [email protected].
C. Students with Disabilities
For students who have specific physical, psychiatric or learning disabilities and require
accommodations, please let the professor know early in the quarter (preferably the first week) so
that your learning needs can be appropriately met. In order to receive accommodations,
documentation concerning your disability must be on file with Classroom Support Services, 105
Amstutz Hall, Ashland University, 419-289-5953. Please contact them with any questions you
may have.
D. ATS Grading Scale
Grade
Percent
Description
A
97-100
Superior achievement of course objectives, diligence and originality, high degree
of freedom from error, outstanding evidence of ability to utilize course
knowledge, initiative expressed in preparing and completing assignments,
positive contributions verbalized in class.
A92-96
B+
89-91
B
86-88
BC+
C
83-85
80-82
77-79
CD+
D
74-76
71-73
68-70
DF
65-67
Below 65
Good work submitted, commendable achievement of course objectives, some
aspects of the course met with excellence, substantial evidence of ability to utilize
course material, positive contributions verbalized in class, consistency and
thoroughness of work completed.
Acceptable work completed, satisfactory achievement of course objectives,
demonstrating at least some ability to utilize course knowledge, satisfactory class
contribution.
Passing but minimal work, marginal achievement of course objectives, poor
performance in comprehension of work submitted, inadequate class contributions.
Unacceptable work resulting in failure to receive class credit, inadequacy of work
submitted or of performance and attendance in class.
IX. Selected Bibliography
See the rather extensive bibliography in the required readings and recommended readings.
TENTATIVE SCHEDULE
SESSION ONE
(October 11-12, 2013)
DAY ONE: FRAMING THE PERSPECTIVE
Lectures: The Hermeneutical Dilemma: Method or Methods
What/Why Afro/Africentrism?
Readings: Myers, chapter 2, in Stony
Felder, Ch. 6 in Stony
Video: Paving the Stony Road
DAY TWO: THE HISTORICAL BACKDROP—“Where Have We Come From?”
Lectures: “Aunt Hagar’s Children”—“Where Have You Come From?”
“ The de-Africanization of the Bible”
Readings: Callahan, The Talking Book
SESSION TWO
(November 15-16, 2013)
DAY ONE: AFROCENTRIC/AFRICENTRIC HIS-STORY: “Where Are We Now?”
Lecture: “The Blackening of the Bible & More—The deAfricanization and Re0Africanization of
the Bible””
Video: “Searcing for the Lost Ark”
Readings: Brown, The Blackening of the Bible
DAY TWO: CRITIQUING THE PERSPECTIVE: AFROCENTRISM & WOMANISM
Lecture: The Role of Hermeneutics in the Oppression of Women from Genesis to Revelation
Readings: Weems, chapter 3 in Stony
Martin, chapter 10 in Stony
Sanders, entire (In recommended list-optional)
SESSION THREE
(December 13-14, 2013)
DAY ONE: AFROCENTRISM, THE CULTURE & THE CHURCH
Lectures: Jesus Christ & the Poor: The Bible, the Poor & the Black Church
Martin’s Dream, the Black Family’s Nightmare & the Call to Ministry
Video: “ All of God’s Children”
Readings: Blount, appropriate sections
DAY TWO: WHERE ARE WE GOING?
Lectures: “Aunt Hagar’s Children”—“Where Are You Going?”
Video:
“ Ancient Africa and the Bible”
Reports: Student presentations