The course of study aims to introduce students to a critical understanding of the impact that globalization has had on Christianity in relation to the "social question". In particular, we want to provide: 1) knowledge of the main topics proposed (the transformation of the concept and experience of "mission"; the debate on poverty and on development of peoples; Christian churches and international cooperation) and the related historiographical debate ; 2) the ability to contextualise, analyze and critically interpret the proposed sources; 3) the tools necessary for the study of the history of contemporary Christianity in connection with other disciplines and fields of research (sociology of religion; history of theology; contemporary history) and useful for acquiring good expository skills.
scheda docente
materiale didattico
LGBT believers and queer theologies in Christian churches from the 1960s to today
The sexual experience and conjugal life have represented the terrain on which the Christian churches have opposed the greatest resistance to the social and cultural transformations from the late modern age to the most recent processes of secularization. The question of the relationship between Christian faith and homosexuality, especially in the contemporary age, has triggered a lot of short circuits between the official positions of the Churches and those experiences that have favored the visibility and acceptance of LGBT believers signed by a new pastoral sensitivity and a theological thought attentive to accepting the requests coming from the social sciences and from the movements that claim full civil rights for homosexual people. In some Christian churches, at an official level, homosexuality was considered unnatural and out of the norm, an obstacle to the natural function of generation and to marriage. But the agency of LGBT Christian groups certifies the possibility of reconciliation with the institution and comes to the attention of the historian as a new religious subjectivity.
The course of study will address the topic by proposing a three-phase path: a) to offer a historical overview of the positions taken by the Christian Churches in the twentieth century on a global level on the question of homosexuality, in particular the Catholic and Protestant Churches; b) to analyze some pastoral experiences of groups and movements formed by LGBT Christians since the 1960s, especially in the United States, France and Italy, with the support of recent sociological studies; c) to follow the evolution of the so-called "queer theology", starting from the studies on the relationship between faith and homosexuality up to the most recent contributions.
2. F. TORCHIANI, «Il vizio innominabile». Chiesa e omosessualità nel Novecento, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino 2021
3. M. MENNINI, Credenti LGBT+. Diritti, fede e chiese cristiane nell’Italia contemporanea, Carocci, Roma 2023
Non-attending students are invited to agree on the program with the professor.
Mutuazione: 20710660 CRISTIANESIMO E GLOBALIZZAZIONE in Storia e società LM-84 MENNINI MATTEO
Programma
LGBT believers and queer theologies in Christian churches from the 1960s to today
The sexual experience and conjugal life have represented the terrain on which the Christian churches have opposed the greatest resistance to the social and cultural transformations from the late modern age to the most recent processes of secularization. The question of the relationship between Christian faith and homosexuality, especially in the contemporary age, has triggered a lot of short circuits between the official positions of the Churches and those experiences that have favored the visibility and acceptance of LGBT believers signed by a new pastoral sensitivity and a theological thought attentive to accepting the requests coming from the social sciences and from the movements that claim full civil rights for homosexual people. In some Christian churches, at an official level, homosexuality was considered unnatural and out of the norm, an obstacle to the natural function of generation and to marriage. But the agency of LGBT Christian groups certifies the possibility of reconciliation with the institution and comes to the attention of the historian as a new religious subjectivity.
The course of study will address the topic by proposing a three-phase path: a) to offer a historical overview of the positions taken by the Christian Churches in the twentieth century on a global level on the question of homosexuality, in particular the Catholic and Protestant Churches; b) to analyze some pastoral experiences of groups and movements formed by LGBT Christians since the 1960s, especially in the United States, France and Italy, with the support of recent sociological studies; c) to follow the evolution of the so-called "queer theology", starting from the studies on the relationship between faith and homosexuality up to the most recent contributions.
Testi Adottati
1. Dossier of historical documents and articles proposed by the professor2. F. TORCHIANI, «Il vizio innominabile». Chiesa e omosessualità nel Novecento, Bollati Boringhieri, Torino 2021
3. M. MENNINI, Credenti LGBT+. Diritti, fede e chiese cristiane nell’Italia contemporanea, Carocci, Roma 2023
Non-attending students are invited to agree on the program with the professor.
Modalità Erogazione
The lesson is based on the study of the documents proposed by the professor, starting from the critical interpretation of historical essays and the knowledge of the related historiographical discussions. Practical research exercises are favored. Students have the ability to customize the program by submitting an optional essay on a specific topic.Modalità Valutazione
A final oral exam is scheduled. During the lessons there are procedures for assessing the skills through the interaction between teacher and students and the optional presentation of a paper.