Chrstnity/Unity/Black Diaspor

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Using case studies, this class examines contemporary organizations with an ecumenical mandate and a Pan-African ethos working to address common systemic issues faced by black people the world over such as hunger, poverty, and access to education. For example, the Pan-African Women’s Ecumenical Empowerment Network (PAWEEN) was established in 2015 and is a part of the World Council of Church’s Programme on Ecumenical Theological Education (ETE). PAWEEN sits at the intersection of classical formal theological education and advocacy work, and focuses on agency, identity, and advocacy in its work versus charity. Its objective is to promote experience-based, historically conscious, holistic, innovative, and transformative theological education in all parts of the world, including the United States, from the Pan-African perspective. This class is important because understanding the work of organizations like PAWEEN is necessary as the majority of Christians are no longer located in the “global North.” The class is useful to students who desire an introduction to African diasporic studies and diasporic religion. The class would also be of interest to students who want to better understand the role that global governments have in transforming injustices and promoting systemic structural change critical to obtaining sustainable just communities. Course Goals To introduce students to the history of Pan-Africanism including the ideology, leadership, and strategies To introduce students to the ecumenical movement and its relationship to Pan-Africanism To explore the relationship between colonialism and social ills/poverty in the Pan-African experience To investigate the methodology of ecumenical organizations with a Pan-African ethos that seek to alleviate social ills/poverty