Women and the Reformations

Catalog description

Women were deeply immersed in and affected by the Reformations of the sixteenth century and contributed in the shaping of their respective traditions. In this class, we will examine women's theological voices and their reactions to the new developments in theology and spirituality - and thereby critically assess the reality of the Reformations' impact with attention to gender factors. The contributions of women from different geographical contexts and factions (Lutheran, Calvinist, Anabaptist, Catholic) are interpreted in light of their published works and with interdisciplinary approaches (theology/history/ gender study). This 4000-level seminar, open to MA students, is designed to foster methodological innovation by re-interpreting a significant component of Christian tradition, by including women's works in the corpus of Christian theology, and by doing theological work with historical materials.