The course aims to apply LGBTQ+ ideology to various religions and explore the reimagining of gender in theology.
According to the course description, students will delve into questions such as, "Can God be an ally in queer worldmaking? Is God queer? What does queerness have to do with Judaism, Christianity, or Islam?" The course will introduce foundational concepts in queer and trans studies, focusing on queer Jewish, Christian, and Islamic theologies.
The curriculum will involve analyzing the ways in which contemporary artists, activists, and scholars are using theology to reimagine gender and experiment with new relational forms. Students will engage with a range of genres, including memoirs, letters, scriptural interpretations, and a novel. The course does not assume any prior knowledge of the readings or topics discussed, nor does it require familiarity with academic theology or queer theory.
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Starting in the fall of 2023, the course will be taught by Olivia Bustion, who obtained her Master of Divinity degree from the University of Chicago in 2014 and is currently pursuing a doctoral program in theology at the institution.
July 28, 2023
The announcement of the course has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that it is disrespectful to reduce God to human categories and that it represents a misguided attempt to reshape God in the image of progressive ideology. Joseph Flores, a student co-president of a Christian ministry organization at the University of Chicago, expressed his disapproval, stating, "The Christian God is without gender, without sex. To think of Him in such human terms and reduce Him to these categories is deeply disrespectful."
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This course is not the first to generate controversy at the University of Chicago. Last year, a class titled "Problem of Whiteness" drew criticism from conservative students. The course, which examined the concept of whiteness through an anthropological lens and drew from critical race theory, was labeled by some as an example of anti-White sentiment on campus.
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Daniel Schmidt, a self-described right-wing college activist, spoke out against the course, claiming that he was unfairly labeled a "cyberterrorist" and accused of encouraging hostile behavior towards the professor teaching the class. Schmidt believes that conservative voices are often silenced by the media and universities, stating, "They expect us to sit down and shut up."
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Fox News Digital reached out to the University of Chicago for comment but did not receive an immediate response.
In addition to the "Queering God" course, the University of Chicago plans to offer other courses in upcoming semesters that explore various cultural and social topics, including "The Global Black Panther Party," "Religion in Anime and Japanese Pop Culture," and "Climate Justice."
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