In this section of the course we look at issues central to the study of feminism and religion from the perspective of Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Wicca, the history of religions, etc. We discuss the contributions of influential feminist thinkers, explore the effects of feminist methodologies on the study of religion, and revisit the role and status of women in the history of religions.
Readings: Carol Christ and Judith Plaskow, eds., Womanspirit Rising and Rita M. Gross, Feminism and Religion.
| Date | Topics | Readings |
|---|---|---|
| Sept 8-11 | Introduction to course; Defining Feminism What is the academic study of religion?; insider/outsider debate (i.e., academic discipline vs. personal practice); feminism as academic methodology; diversity of definitions; main objectives and central issues |
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| Sept 15-18 | Impact of Feminism on Religious Studies: A
Brief History Sexism and androcentrism, women's experience, sexual difference; theory of matriarchy; Mother Right (das mutterrecht); 'true' womanhood; the women's movement; women's bible; feminism in the 20th century; goddess spirituality and Wicca |
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| Sept 22-25 | Challenge of Feminism Androgynous perspective; cross-cultural perspectives; finding a useable and accurate past; the Hindu model; goddess mythology; revisionism in Christian feminist theology; Julian of Norwich and Christina of Markyate; is the subordination of women divinely ordained?; the Jesus movement; women leadership, i.e., apostles and prophets; feminist hermeneutics of suspicion; dualistic thinking; psychosocial history of domination |
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| Sept 29-Oct 2 | Sexism The Other Half of the Kingdom (Film) Feminist Theology; Woman Spirit Rising ; revolutionary vs. reform; strategies; rereading scripture; distinction between text and interpretation; the Qur'an; the maleness of God; Reuther's notion of god/dess; Sally McFague; Kali; Vajrayana Buddhism; Eve and Adam; 'adham; sex and gender stereotyping; brit milah (covenent of circumcision); naming ceremony; women's haggadah and seder; minyan |
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| Oct 6-13 | Rereading the Past Prepatriarchal hypothesis; neolithic horticultural societies; Chatal Huyak; credibility of theories of a female-dominated or utopian past; the creation of patriarchy; the triumph of male monotheism in the West; the goddess; Epic of Gilgamesh; Enumah Elish (Babalonian creation myth); gnosticism; Mary; Indo-Aryan culture; women's rituals; the importance of female symbols of transcendence; solidarity and resistance |
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| Oct 15-20 | Post-Patriarchy The Burning Times (Film) Inclusive language; ritual development; Women-church; emancipating Eve and Adam; Lillith; feminist spirituality; Wicca; covens; witchcraft; maiden, mother, crone; earth-centered; Buddhist feminists; eco-feminism; Gaia and God; gyn/ecology; beyond god the father; Jung |
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| Oct 22-23 | Where do we go from here? Review | **In-class TEST, Thursday, Oct. 23 (10%) |
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