WOMEN AND RELIGION

 

Fall 2005	Office: Platner 118 Office hours: Office phone: 907-4200 x 4423    mgottschall@whittier.edu web page: http://web.whittier.edu/academic/Religion/gottschall_webpage.html
T/Th 3:00-4:20  Sci  104

“The tradition of God the Father, the tradition that men rule, is the order faced by all women who have inherited the paternalistic, monotheistic religious tradition of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.  This tradition is now being contested on a daily basis as women move into the public workforce beside men, and expect recognition, respect, and power.” Elizabeth Fernea, In Search of Islamic Feminism

Overview:   This course examines the rapid changes that are taking place within the monotheistic traditions of Judaism, Christianity and Islam as a result of feminist scholarship, theology, and ritual practices.  It will spend some time employing a feminist critique of patriarchal religion, but will focus largely on the innovations and inroads that are being made by believing women who intend that their scriptures and practices reflect the active presence and contributions of women to religious traditions.

Required Books:

                        LI: Abdul-Ghafur. Living Islam OutLoud:  American Muslim Women Speak                                 WV:  Christ and Plaskow (eds), Weaving the Visions    

                        Diamant, Anita.  The Red Tent

                        DOA: Haddad and Esposito.  Daughters of Abraham

                        Mernissi, Fatima.  The Veil and the Male Elite

Required readings on Websites:

·         Bible: http://www.usccb.org/nab/bible

·         Images: http://www.arthistory.sbc.edu/imageswomen/

·         Ordination: http://instituteforfeminismandreligion.org/news.html

·         Ord 2:  http://www.womensordination.org/pages/pressWOCin%20Media2

·         Mishnah:  www.brandeis.edu/projects/fse/judaism/juda-lit/juda-lit-wegner.pdf

·         Magazine: www.azizamagazine.com               

Purpose and Scope of Class:

The class will provide (1) an introductory look at the three monotheistic religious worldviews through the particular lens of gender, (2) an analysis of the social and political significance of gender bias in these religious beliefs and practices, and (3) a demonstration of some of the ways in which feminist thought is revising and transforming religious thought and practice.

We will make use of a rich body of material, including a broad range of sacred texts by and about women, feminist historiography, feminist theological reflection,  personal narratives, and fiction.  The course proceeds from a revisionist model in a field of study that has until recently been blind to gender, and that has overlooked the contributions and experience of women.  It will focus on the breadth and diversity of the cultural expressions of sexism in religion as well as the commonalties that link women's religious experience and their vision.

We will look at the ways in which women's bodies, women's moral agency and women's capacity for leadership have been defined and appropriated by male dominated religious institutions...only to be reclaimed and redefined by women themselves.  As we move through the materials, our discussion will take shape around the following conceptual issues:

The religious construction of women:

·         Religious definitions of women:  How have sacred texts, myths and theologies constructed the relationships between man, woman and the divine?

·         Religious practices:  How have religious laws, customs and rituals constructed the social and spiritual lives of women?

Women’s religious experience:

·         Resilience:  How have women appropriated or excelled within religious structures?       

·         Rebellion:  How have women (re)claimed  and (re)named their access to the sacred? 

Feminist transformation of religious traditions:

·         Feminist theologies and visions

Course proceedings and requirements:

1.  Your participation:  The success of this class will depend on your interaction with the readings.  It will not be a lecture-heavy class; it will include discussion of the readings and the ideas found therein.  Therefore, you are expected to attend class  and be ready to discuss the assigned readings.

2.  Attendance:  Excessive absences will result in a lowering of your final grade. 

3.  Assignments and evaluation:

--  Four response papers: Four ( 2-3 page) response papers to a particular set of readings. Limit summary of the materials to one paragraph, followed by your analysis and/or response to the readings.   Use the paper as an opportunity to explore your own thoughts about what you have read.  They are graded based on your ability to engage with the ideas in the text.  Your emotional responses are important, but please note that this is not a journal exercise.  Also, explore broad themes rather than single authors.

·         Paper #1:  On Gender in the Garden of Eden

·         Paper #2:  On Women’s Ordination

·         Paper #3:  On The Veil and the Male Elite

·         Paper #4:  On Muslim American women’s issues

--  Midterm exam will ask you to comment on the Red Tent in relation to the issues discussed in the Jewish feminist theological readings.

--  Final exam will be comprehensive.

--  Participation:  You will be evaluated on your ability and willingness to contribute meaningfully to class discussions.  We may also have reading quizzes which will be included in this category.

4.  Extra credit for evening programs:  (dates subject to change)

• Brubaker:  October 6
• Faculty Research Program:  Single sex households in Morocco, October 21
• Women’s Ordination:  November 10

5.  Grading:  Your grades will be assigned according to the following scale: 

            Response papers          50 pts x 4                    200

            Midterm exam                                                 100

Final                                                                150

Participation (including quizzes)                     50

Course schedule

Topics/issues                                              Readings due