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This module introduces students to Liberation Theology: a diverse tradition of thought that explores what it means for Christ to bring liberation from sin as manifest in the injustices of the world. Students will reflect on how liberation theologians have responded to a range of key issues facing our society, and ask where and how Christ is present in the liberation struggles of today.
Week 1
What is Liberation Theology?
This week will introduce students to liberation theology as a field of study, reflecting on some key ideas that inform the work of liberation theologians throughout the world.
Week 2
Liberation theology and migration
In this session, we will discuss what liberation theology has to say about borders and migration, and ask: just what does liberation for migrants mean? And how does this line up with contemporary approaches to border policing?
Week 3
Liberation theology and the environmental crisis
This session focuses on climate change as a challenge for liberation, and asks how liberation theology can inform eco theology and the Christian response to the environmental crisis.
Week 4
Liberation theology and transness
Transness challenges many of our societal preconceptions around what it is to be a body, and therein touches on a range of other issues addressed by movements such as Disability theology, feminist theology, and Black theology. Noting the embryonic state of the field, this week asks: what would a theology of trans liberation look like?
Week 5
Liberation theology and penal abolition
States exercise coercive control over their citizens through a variety of repressive apparatus– not least the penal system. This session asks, what does liberation theology have to say about criminalisation, and the institutions around it? What does liberation look like for those caught up in the institutions around it? And does a Christian vision of liberation require or suggest any alternatives?
Dr Nicolete Burbach is the Social and Environmental Justice Lead at the London Jesuit Centre. Her PhD thesis looked at Pope Francis’ hermeneutics of uncertainty, and her research focuses on resourcing Pope Francis to think through issues of alienation and disagreement, with a particular focus on navigating the difficulties around trans inclusion in the Church. Previously, she has taught modules on postmodern theology and Catholic Social Teaching, both at Durham University.
