ET/ST 1751p: Domestic Violence in Theological Perspective

Bangor Theological Seminary (Portland)

Spring Semester 2000

Wednesdays, 3:30 -- 6:15 p.m.

Instructor: Marvin M. Ellison

774-5212 (Portland office)

Mellison@bts.edu

A Christian moral theology must be answerable to what

women [and other survivors] have learned by struggling to lay

hold of the gift of life. . . . We must learn what we are to know

of love from immersion in the struggle for justice.

-- Beverly Wildung Harrison

"The Power of Anger in the Work of Love"

Course description: This course seeks to increase awareness of sexual and domestic violence, develop strategies of response and prevention, and strengthen cooperation between churches and community resources. A major focus is the religious and theological concerns of victims/ survivors and their questions about suffering, obedience, power, forgiveness, reconciliation, and hope. (The course is typically co-taught by a staff member from the local domestic violence project.) 3 credits

Course goals:

    1. Increase awareness of the nature and extent of domestic abuse.
    2. Increase self-awareness of clergy contributions and limitations with respect to these concerns.
    3. Examine how domestic abuse is experienced from different standpoints: abused, abuser, witness, helper.
    4. Deepen one’s understanding of how religion, including theological claims, may affect personal and social change.
    5. Learn how to assess one’s effectiveness and maintain accountability as part of a coordinated community response to abuse.

Credits: Three (3) semester credits.

Grading: Credit students will receive a letter-grade unless a student requests in writing, no later than March 1, to be evaluated on a Pass/D/Fail basis. Grading is based upon (1) class participation, including in-class presentation of a research project (30%), (2) writing assignments (35%); and (3) final research essay (35%).

Course Requirements:
  1. Class participation (30%)
    1. Regular attendance.
    2. Completion of assigned readings on schedule.
    3. Constructive participation in class discussions and in developing active listening skills.
    4. Collaborative work in a small research group focusing on one of the following topics: sexual assault and abuse, same-sex battering, impact of domestic violence on children, or elder abuse. Your research group will be responsible for facilitating a class session on your specific topic. Your research and presentation should address: (1) social analysis of the problem; (2) theological implications; and (3) pastoral and congregational resources and responses to the problem.
  2. Brief writing assignments, completed on schedule. (35%) Note: You may use e-mail to submit your writing in advance of the class session.
    1. For sessions #2 through #8, bring to class an "insight and question" (typed, double-spaced, no more than 2-3 sentences) relating to the assigned reading. Include specific text references.
    2. Completion on schedule of five (5) brief writing assignments.
  3. Research essay, approximately 12-15 pages typewritten, in which you further develop your research and reflections on your research project (see above). Your research essay should include: (1) social analysis of the problem, (2) theological implications, and (3) pastoral and congregational resources and responses. Due date: Monday, May 15 (graduating seniors) and Friday, May 19 (non-seniors).

Note: If you wish to pursue a different research topic for your final essay, you will need to negotiate the topic and bibliography with the instructor (in writing) no later than April 5.

Primary texts:

Adams, Carol J. Woman-Battering (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1994).

Basham, Beth and Sara Lisberness, (eds.), Striking Terror No More: The Church Responds to Domestic Violence (Louisville: Bridge Resources, 1997).

Fortune, Marie M. Keeping the Faith: Guidance for Christian Women Facing Abuse (San Francisco: Harper, 1987).

Fortune, Marie M. Sexual Violence: The Unmentionable Sin. Cleveland: The Pilgrim Press, 1983).

Heggen, Carolyn Holderread. Sexual Abuse in Christian Homes and Churches (Scottdale, PA: Herald Press, 1993).

NiCarthy, Ginny. Getting Free (Seattle: Seal Press, 1982, 1986).

Recommended texts:

Adams, Carol J., and Marie M. Fortune, eds. Violence Against Women and Children: A Christian Theological Sourcebook (New York: Continuum, 1995).

Kivel, Paul. Men’s Work: How to Stop the Violence that Tears Our Lives Apart (New York: Ballantine Books, 1992).

Pellauer, Mary D., Barbara Chester, and Jane Boyajian, eds. Sexual Assault and Abuse: A Handbook for Clergy and Religious Professionals (San Francisco: Harper, 1987).

Trible, Phyllis. Texts of Terror: Literary-Feminist Readings of Biblical Narratives (Philadelphia: Fortress Press, 1984).

 

Course schedule and assignments:

 

1. February 2: Introduction to Course and Colleagues

Ground rules: How will we make this an ethical classroom?

Ecological analysis of trauma.

2. February 9: Social Analysis

Reading: Carol J. Adams, Woman-Battering, Preface, Introduction, and

Chapters 1-2.

Ginny NiCarthy, Getting Free, Introduction and Section I (Making the Decision to Leave or Stay), pp. xix-70, and Ch. 24 (Emotional Abuse), pp. 285-304.

Lisa Pohlmann, Skeek Frazee, and Merril Cousin, Information Guide for Abused Women in Maine (Augusta, Maine: Maine Division, American Association of University Women, 1988, and The Maine Coalition for Family Crisis Services, 1988-1991).

Writing assignment #1 (due February 9): First, in preparation of writing, give thought to the following three questions:

    1. What was your first experience as an observer or witness of violence? What was your reaction? Do you remember any feelings?
    2. Have you ever personally experienced violence? Reflect on that experience and how it has affected you.
    3. Have you ever been violent toward anyone? What was that experience like? Did you have further contact with the one who was harmed? Under what conditions might you be capable of violent behavior?

Then, write a brief (2-4 page typed, double-spaced) paper in which you summarize your own thoughts about violence, including theological assumptions that have influenced your own thinking and feeling. Include any questions or issues that you would like to explore during this course.

3. February 16: Exploring Responses to Domestic Violence: What Helps?

Resource person: Francine Stark, Spruce Run (Bangor)

Reading: Adams, Woman-Battering, Ch. 3-5 (pp. 56-102).

Rita Nakashima Brock, "Ending Innocence and Nurturing Willfulness," in Adams and Fortune (eds.), Violence Against Women and Children, pp. 71-84.

Allison Mauel Moore, "Moral Agency of Women in a Battered Women’s Shelter," in Adams and Fortune (eds.), Violence Against Women and Children, pp. 151-71.

NiCarthy, Getting Free, Sections II and III (pp. 71-157).

Jill Davies, Safety Planning with Battered Women: Complex Lives/Difficult Choices (Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications, 1998), Ch. 5 ("Battered Women’s Decision Making and Safety Plans"), pp. 73-92.

 

February 23: Reading Week (no class)

4. March 1: Theological Issues

Reading: Adams, Woman-Battering, Chapter 6.

Marie M. Fortune, Keeping the Faith.

Carolyn Heggen, Sexual Abuse in Christian Homes and Churches, Ch. 5.

Johanna W.H. van Wijk-Bos, "Devisings of the Human Heart: The Bible and Violence," in Striking Terror No More: The Church Responds to Domestic Violence, pp. 1-7.

Writing assignment #2 (due March 1): In 2-4 pages (typed, double-spaced), identify 3-5 theological claims/messages and reflect on how these may be helpful or hurtful to battered women.

 

February 24: Reading Week (no class)

 

5. March 8: Coordinated Community Response (panel); Batterers’ Accountability

Reading: David Adams, "Treatment Models of Men Who Batter: A Profeminist Analysis," in Feminist Perspectives on Wife Abuse, ed. Kersti Yllo and Michele Bograd (Newbury Park: Sage Publications, 1990), 176-199.

Paul Kivel, Men’s Lives.

Marie M. Fortune and James Poling, "Calling to Accountability: The Church’s Response to Abusers," in Adams and Fortune (eds.), Violence Against Women and Children, pp. 451-63.

 

6. March 15: Suffering and Forgiveness; Liturgical Resources

Reading: Marie Fortune, Sexual Violence: The Unmentionable Sin, Ch. 3 (Reframing the Ethical Questions), pp. 42-98, and Ch. 10 (Religious Concerns), pp. 191-217.

Heggen, Sexual Abuse in Christian Homes and Churches, Ch. 7 and 9.

Part 3: Worship Resources, in Striking Terror No More, pp. 83-98.

Writing Assignment #3 (due March 15): Choose one of the following:

In 3-5 pages (typed, double-spaced), develop a series of liturgical resources, such as litanies, psalms, prayers, or hymns, for use in corporate worship.

or

Write a 2-4 page response to a battered woman's concerns about forgiving her

batterer.

 

7. March 22: Listening to the Stories (panel); mid-course evaluation

Reading: NiCarthy, Getting Free, Sections IV and V.

(reread) Adams, Woman-Battering, Ch. 1 (Naming).

 

8. March 29: Pastoral and Congregational Responses (panel)

Reading: Adams, Woman-Battering, Conclusion (pp. 115-121).

Marie M. Fortune, "Picking Up the Broken Pieces: Responding to Domestic Violence," in Striking Terror No More, pp. 13-19.

Fortune, Sexual Violence, Ch. 11-12.

Heggen, Sexual Abuse in Christian Homes and Churches, Ch. 8, 10, and 11.

Part 2: Suggested Workshops, in Striking Terror No More, pp. 31-81.

Writing assignment #4 (due March 29): In 2-4 pages, discuss how to introduce the topic of domestic violence to the congregation in which you either serve as pastor or are an active member. What are likely obstacles, and how could these be addressed?

9. April 5: Research project I: Sexual assault

Reading: Heggen, Sexual Assault in Christian Homes and Churches, Ch. 1-4 (Ch. 6 also recommended).

Andrea Parrot, "No Means No: Acquaintance Rape and Date Rape," in Striking Terror No More, pp. 11-12.

10. April 12: Research project II: Same-sex battering

Reading: NiCarthy, Getting Free, Ch. 23.

Kerry Lobel (ed.), Naming the Violence, esp. Barbara Hart, "Lesbian Battering: An Examination," pp. 173-189.

 

April 19: Easter Recess (no class)

 

11. April 26: Research project III: Impact of domestic violence on children

Reading: NiCarthy, Getting Free, Ch. 15.

Christine E. Gudorf, "Embodying Morality: Bodyright is the Foundation for Moral Agency," Conscience (Winter 1993/94), 16-21.

Lois Rifner, "We Won’t Let It Happen Here: Keeping Children Safe from Sexual Abuse," in Striking Terror No More, pp. 8-10.

12. May 3: Research project IV: Elder abuse

Reading: Jane A. Boyajian, "Elder Abuse: The View from the Chancel," in Sexual Assault and Abuse: A Handbook for Clergy and Religious Professionals, ed. Mary D. Pellauer, Barbara Chester, and Jane Boyajian (San Francisco: Harper, 1987), 31-45.

Thomas B. Robb, "Ageing and Ageism: Implications for the Church’s Ministry with Families," in Striking Terror No More, pp. 20-28.

 

13. May 10: Course evaluation and next steps

Writing assignment #5 (due May 10): In 3-5 pages (typed, doubled-spaced), (a) identify 3 or 4 key learnings you have acquired about domestic violence, as well as sexual abuse, and the theological and ministry issues such violence poses.; and (b) recommend changes for this course, both in terms of content and process. For example, which readings would you most want to retain for this course? Are there any readings that you would omit?

 

 

May 15: Final work due for graduating seniors.

May 19: Final work due for non-graduation students.