This course examines the ethics of living with integrity in situations of oppression. The readings, lectures, and discussions employ a rhetorical method that demonstrates the scholarly significance of the religious landscape of the African Diaspora in the expanded theological canon. By the end of the course, students should be able to critique moral agency in a variety of African American socio-religious contexts; think creatively about the ways that African-American Christians react to the existing social order and/or act upon it; and demonstrate facility in the skills of argumentation so as to become conversant with the theological language in Black religious traditions that helps members of confessing communities to reflect on justice matters. Format: seminar. Evaluation based on regular attendance, active class participation, weekly response papers, a mid-semester book critique and a final research essay. No prerequisites. Enrollment limit: 20 (expected 15). Open to all.

Hour: CANNON