Sinners: A Portal Into Black Freedom Theologies

Sinners: A Portal Into Black Freedom Theologies is a creative survey course entering into the vastness of African-American religious life through the recent, popular horror film, Sinners. The course uses Sinners as a window into learning and deepening knowledge of lesser-known Black liberatory histories, beliefs, rituals, and technologies present in the early 20th century U.S. South to present-day. The portal we open and explore through
this course intends to be a critical examination of the “maroon” theologies – why they needed to exist, the conditions under which they developed, how they shaped and used in the everyday, and their lasting legacies that inform prophetic spiritual leadership today. MDiv and MASC students.

Course Meets: August 3-14, Monday-Friday, 2-5pm PST.

This is an online, synchronous, and highly interactive course. Students will be expected to carefully complete course assignments and fully participate in class discussions and activities. Course materials will include a variety of mediums to meet a range of students’ learning styles. Course activities will also include alternative options for students to participate at levels which are most supportive.

Sinners, the film, and certain class material may be emotionally, energetically, and psychically challenging for students. As a trauma-informed class, students will be given content warnings, adequate information and time to make informed decisions about their participation, and opportunities to modify and/or opt-out of class discussions and/or activities.

Relates to the following SKSM Thresholds: 1. Life in Religious Community and Interfaith Engagement; 2. Prophetic Witness & Work; 4. Histories of Dissenting Traditions & Thea/ological Quest; 6. Thea/ology in Culture & Context; and 8. Embodied Wisdom and Beauty.

REQUIRED PREREQUISTE: ECO CORE Course.

Enrollment Max: 20.