Camden College of Arts and Science Department of Philosophy and Religion

1.  READING ASSIGNMENTS AND CLASS PARTICIPATION.

Although I will be giving some lectures, the success of the course will depend on our exchanging ideas, sharing personal reactions, raising questions and developing sensitivity to the issues at hand.  This goal demands that you read the assignments and think about them before they are discussed in class.  Much of the material in the class is controversial.   You can agree or disagree with any of it, but your opinions should be well thought-out.

In addition to classroom participation, I will expect you to participate in one of three e-mail discussion groups.   This year's class is much larger than it was in the past, and sometimes it is hard for everyone to speak each class.   You will be subscribed to one of three e-mail discussion groups.   Please try to make some contribution at least every week or two.   There are special no rules for the discussion.  It is a place to make comments that you may not have had a chance to say in class.

Group 1---Last names A to F
[you can send messages by using your normal e-mail program at this address:   women-religion@yahoogroups.com]

Group 2---Last names G to Ra
[you can send messages by using your normal e-mail program at this address:   women-religion2@yahoogroups.com]

Group 3---Last names Ri to Z
[you can send messages by using your normal e-mail program at this address:   women-religion3@yahoogroups.com]

I expect your regular attendence in class.  After 4 absences, additional cuts will result in a gradual lowering of your final grade.

2.  WRITING ASSIGNMENTS

a.  3 response papers [2-3 pages each]--  Each paper will represent your reaction to some topic from the readings or class discussions.  It should represent your personal impressions or related experiences, reflections, meditations, discussions, questions, insights, emotional responses, or any other kind of intelligible analysis.  You can look at these assignments as long journal entries if you like.  I will be looking for serious reflection, not mechanical summaries of facts.   One should be done by the end of the third week, one by the end of the 7th week, and one by the last week.

b.  2 midrash [1-2 pages] on Biblical stories or laws--  Midrash is a creative interpretation of that explains or expands a Biblical text.  It is an opportunity to imagine the inner thoughts of characters, the motivation of the author, etc.  We experiment with this in class.  Sample midrash are available on-line.   Midrash are due when the Biblical text you have chosen to work with is discussed in class.    Following your midrash, explain briefly what issues in the text you are trying to address with your midrash.

c.  Research interview with a child --   DUE November 5

d.  Report and analysis [2-3 pages] of a religious serviceor ritual you observe during the semester, from a woman's point of view.  Should include interview with one female participant, if possible.  [alternative:  create your own feminist ritual and analyze it] DUE November 12

e.  Critical Book Review or Term project [subject to approval]  DUE December 5

GRADES:        15%     Class participation
                        20%     Self-evaluation
                        65%     Written work
 

BOOKS:

Carol Christ and Judith Plaskow, Womanspirit Rising:  A Feminist Reader in Religion (WR)
 

Other readings can be found in one of two places:

    1.  on-line readings linked to course web page -- (on-line)  NOTE: You must have a Rutgers computer [clam] account to access these readings.   Whether or not you use this account for e-mail, you must at least open the account so that you have a Rutgers username and password.  Please remember that if you access the on-line readings from off-campus, you must include "@clam" when after your username to get into the system.

If you do not yet have a Rutgers computer account, you can set it up by going to:   https://clam.rutgers.edu/cgi-bin/rats.cgi

    2.  Library electronic reserve in IRIS -- (reserve)  To use the links to Library electronic reserves, you must be using a Rutgers campus computer terminal or "authenticate" yourself if you are accessing the course webpage from another site.   See the Library for information on authenticating yourself.
 
 

WEEK	TOPIC	ASSIGNMENT
1-2	What is Religion? What is Feminism?	Write: 1 page or less--"Why I am (or am not) a feminist" Central Terms for the Study of Women and Religion Gross, "Feminism and Religion" "Southern Baptists Declare Wife Should 'Submit' to        Her Husband" Christ, Plaskow, "Introduction:  Womanspirit Rising"        WR
3	Woman's Experience & Woman's Place	Saiving, "The Human Situation:  A  Feminine View,"         WR [Study Questions] Washbourn, "Women's Experience" Washbourn, "My Body, My World"
4	Menstruation and Women's Initiations:   Women in Primitive Religion	Washbourn, "Becoming Woman:  Menstruation as       Spiritual Challenge," WR Delaney, "Tabooed Woman" [electronic reserve]  "Puberty Rite for Girls is Bitter Issue Across Africa " "Woman's Plea for Asylum Puts Tribal Ritual on Trial" "Nubian Clitoral Excision Ritual  & The Brahmin's       Wife" "How the Vagina was Tamed" websites:  Female Genital Circumcision Female Circumcision Comes to America  Female Circumcision: Rite of Passage Or Violation of Rights?
4-5	Women and Goddesses in Ancient Religion The Origins of Patriarchy and Monotheism	Stone, "When God was a Woman," WR Collins, "A Tale of Two Deities," Ochs, "Characteristics of Matriarchal Religions" Gross, "Has It Always Been that Way?"  Write:  Find out some information about one ancient goddess and the qualities associated with her. Web sites:  History of Goddess Women in the Ancient World "Dark Goddesses" "Eternal Goddess"
	Goddess Worship Today	Starhawk, "Witchcraft and Women's Culture," WR Christ, "Why Women Need the Goddess," WR Morton, "The Dilemma of Celebration," WR Morton, "The Goddess as Metaphoric Image"--electronic library reserve Budapest, "Self-Blessing Ritual," WR Prayers to a Goddess  Write:  A Sample Prayer to a Goddess Guided meditation:  "The Way of the Goddess"  Film: Web sites: Starhawk Z Budapest Witches Web Witchvox WICCA--very useful local Pagan and Wiccan links: "Church of the Three Witches" "The Broom Closet"--Philadelphia area pagans
		Feminist Translations of the Bible
	Women's Status in the Hebrew Bible:  The Patriarchs on-line Bible	Bird,  "Images of Women in the Old Testament's Historical Writings" What is Midrash?  Patriarchal stories: (Bring Bible to class)     Abraham and Sarah--Genesis 16:1-18:15      Lot and his Daughters--Genesis 19      Abraham and Isaac--Genesis 21-22       Midrash on Genesis 22      Isaac and Rebeccah--Genesis 24:1-24:67      Jacob and Leah--Genesis 29:1-30:24       Midrash on Genesis 29       Midrash on Genesis 29---2
	Women's Status in the Hebrew Bible: Biblical Narratives about Women	Dinah--Genesis 34:1-34:31 Midrash on Dinah Judah and Tamar--Genesis 38:1-38:31 Miriam--Numbers 12:1-16 Midrash on Miriam Deborah--Judges 4 Samson and Delilah--Judges 16:1-16:31 Rape of the Concubine--Judges 19:1-19:30 Jephthah--Judges 11:29-40 Hannah 1 Samuel 1-2:10 Ruth  Esther
	Women's Status in the Hebrew Bible: Biblical Laws Dealing with Women	Bird, "Images of Women in the Old Testament Laws"  Revelation at Sinai: Exodus 19:10-15; 21:7-22:18   Purification after childbirth:  Leviticus 12:1-12:8   Bodily emissions:  Leviticus 15:19-15:32   Sexual offenses: Leviticus 18; 20:10-20:21;       Numbers 5:11-5:31;  Deuteronomy 22:13-22:30   Religious vows:   Levitiucus 27:1-27:8;        Numbers 30:1-30:16   Dress code:  Deuteronomy 22:5;    Marriage and divorce: Deuteronomy 24:1-24:5;        25:5-25:12
	Women's Status in the Hebrew Bible: Female Images, Symbols, and Metaphors	Bird, "Images of Women in Proverbs"   Woman in the Wisdom Literature:       Proverbs 3:13-3:20; 5:1-5:23; 7:1-9:18; 31:10-31    Israel as a Woman:  Isaiah 62:3-62:5; 66:10-        66:13;  Hosea 2:1-2:23;    Ezekiel 16:1-16:63; 23:1-23:49; Jeremiah 2:2;       3:6-10; 13:26-27   Goddess Worship in the Bible    Female Images for God in the Bible    Images of Women in the Apocrypha
	The Creation of Woman	Bird, "Images of Women in the Creation Stories"    Genesis 1-3    Rabbinical Midrash on Eve    Trible, "Eve and Adam:  Genesis 2-3 Reread," WR    Rivlin, "Lilith,"    Midrash on Lilith and Adam    Plaskow, "The Coming of Lilith", WR, pp. 206-207    "A Female Centered View of Creation" Class questions for God, Adam, Eve, and the snake
	Women in Traditional Judaism	Tamar Frankiel, "Women's Mitzvot and Feminine       Reality"   Alexandra Wright, "Judaism" [electronic reserve]  Rita Gross, "The Jewish Man" Web site:  Orthodox Jewish Women Jewish Feminist Resources
	New Jewish Rituals for Women and Girls---SKIP	Janowitz, "Sabbath Prayers for Women," WR  Plaskow, "Bringing a Daughter into the Covenant,"         WR  Cantor, "Jewish Women's Haggadah," WR  Charmé, "Naming Ceremonies"
	Jesus and His Ministry	Swidler, "Jesus was a Feminist" Jesus' Relationship with Women Additional selections from the New Testament:           [Bring Bible to class] Birth of Jesus:  Matthew 1:18-1:25 Teachings on Marriage, Divorce and Adultery:       Matthew 5:27-5:32;         19:3-19:9 Marriage at Cana:  John 2:1-2:11 Female images:  Luke 13:34; John 16:20-22 Women at the Crucifixion and Resurrection:       Matthew 27:55-28:20; Luke 24:1-26 Web site:  Christian Feminism
	Paul and Women	Parvey, "The Theology and Leadership of Women in         the New Testament" --[electronic reserve] Parvey, "Paul and Women" Fiorenza, "Women in the Early Christian Movement,"         WR "Paul (and Peter) on Women" Selections from the New Testament:    1.  Role of Women in the Church:         1 Corinthians 11:2-11:16; 14:33-14:35         1 Timothy 2:8-2:15; 5:3-5:16    2.  Relations between husbands and wives:         1 Corinthians 7:1-7:40         Ephesians 5:21-6:9         Colossians 3:18-3:25         1 Peter 3:1-3:7         Titus 2:3-2:5    3.  Galatians 3:27-3:28
	Gnostics and Church Fathers--SKIP	"What Became of God the Mother," WR 107-117 Writings of the Church Fathers
	Mary, the Christian Goddess	History of Doctrines about Mary "Handmaid or Feminist"
	Witches--SKIP	article on witches "Malleus Malificarum," Film:  The Burning Times
	Women in Islam	Smith, "Islam" [electronic reserve] Web site:Women and Islam Links on women and Islam Muslim Women's League
	Women and the Clergy	Women's Ordination Overview FEMALE LEADERSHIP IN ISLAM Baber, "The Ordination of Women," --[electronic reserve] "Time for Women in the Priesthood" "Why Catholicism Can't Allow Women Priests" Film:  Nuns
	The Contemporary Scene and Feminist Reform	Daly, "After the Death of God,"  WR Collins, "Reflections on the Meaning of Herstory," WR Plaskow, "The Coming of Lilith:  Toward a Feminist       Theology," WR Daly, "Why Speak About God?" WR Carter, "Sexuality, Love, and Justice" -- [electronic reserve]

Old Assignments:

FOR TUESDAY, SEPT. 10th:

We will discuss the readings in section #1 below.  You should have finished all of them. I have subscribed all of you to an e-mail discussion group.  You should have received an e-mail informing you about this.
If you have not, please contact me with your preferred e-mail address.

If you have not yet purchased the Womanspirit Rising book and need help finding it, please let me know.

FOR THURSDAY, SEPT. 12th:  Read Washbourn, "Women's
                         Experience" & "My Body, My World" [on-line readings]

FOR TUESDAY, SEPT. 17th:  Send comments about any aspect of the Washbourn articles to your e-mail group.

Read article by Valerie Saiving in Womanspirit Rising

For Thursday, September 19:   Final comments about Washbourn and Saiving articles.   Please read Delaney article, which is on electronic reserve at the Library.
http://www.libraries.rutgers.edu/
Click IRIS, the click Reserve Desk, then fill in my name

First response paper due Tuesday, September 24.
More details to follow.

For Tuesday, September 24:  Your first response paper is due.   You may follow the instructions below in the section on "Response Papers," or you may write a response to the following issue:

The readings so far have dealt with various ways in which feminist scholars of religion have discussed the relevance of gender to religion and spirituality.   Rita Gross wrote: "One's sex implies nothing inevitable about one's reproductive decisions, one's economic and social roles, or even one's psychological traits and tendencies."  Penelope Washbourn wrote:  "The meaning of life and death, the question of a transcendent dimension, the experience of grace become most real on the visceral level, and most particularly so in the experience of my female sexuality."   Valerie Saiving wrote: "The individual's sense of being male or female, which plays such an important part in the young child's struggle for self-definition, can never be finally separated from his total orientation to life."  Based on your own understanding, experience and analysis of these positions, discuss what you regard as the relevance of female identity and experience for religion.  Consider to what degree, if any, these positions are compatible or incompatible with each other.

FOR CLASS DISCUSSION:
Read Delaney article, if you already haven't, plus the 4 short articles that follow it on the syllabus.

Vagina Monologues

For Thursday, Se[ptember 26:

Female circumcision

For Tuesday, October 1:    We will see and interpret an animated African folk-tale.  We will then begin discussion of Goddesses in the ancient world.  Read articles by Stone and Collins, at least.

For Thursday, October 3:

Send an e-mail with your reaction to Professor Charme's interpretation of the African folk tale we viewed in class Tuesday.

Finish reading the four articles on Goddesses in ancient religion below.

The instructions for the interview with a child are now working.
Start thinking about it.

For Tuesday, October 8:   We will finish discussion of articles by Carol Ochs on Matriarchal Religion and Rita Gross on the Goddess hypothesis.

For Thursday, Oct. 10:  1 page report on a goddess from the part of the world where your ancestors come from.   Also, read articles by Starhawk and Christ on the goddess.

October 15:  We will finish the issue of Goddess worship.  Finish the readings by Morton, Budapest, and browse the Goddess websites.
Write a sample goddess prayer, following the instructions.

For October 17:  Read article on "Midrash" and the first 3 Genesis stories listed in this unit.    EVERYONE should be prepared to offer one question or comment about an issue related to women in each story.
Start reading the Bird article for background.

For October 22:  Finish reading patriarchal stories in Genesis.
Think about what questions, thoughts, feelings, etc. regarding the central characters are not mentioned.

Your second response paper should deal with the issue of ancient and/or modern goddess worship.    You may discuss whatever  you like, but my suggestion is that you consider the question of the different values and worldview that are associated with Goddess worship.   What aspects of the traditional image of God are inadequate from the point of view of Goddess advocates?  How valid is this critique?  What do you find the most important advantages or disadvantages of Goddess theology?   Can you understand the spiritual advantages or appeal of this symbol for some women?
DUE:  OCTOBER 22

Thursday, October 31:  Read the passages in the unit below on women's status in Biblical law as well as the explanatory article.  Also read the passages on "Israel as a woman" from the writings of the Hebrew prophets.

Your interview with a child is due on Tuesday, Nov. 5

FOR TUESDAY, NOV. 5

First, I'd like everyone to send their midrash to their e-mail group.   That will at least give you a sample of what other people in the class have done.

Second, please send any observations you have had on the Biblical material on laws affecting women to your e-mail groups.

Third, I'd like each of you to choose one [or part of one] of the passages from the section on "Israel as a Woman" [Isaiah, Hosea, Ezekiel, Jeremiah] and rewrite the passage using a different metaphorical relationship than Israel as God's wife.   Try Israel as a daughter, or son, or friend, or God as a female and Israel as her husband.  You can also send that by e-mail or bring it to class.

Finally, complete the rest of the readings on Female images, symbols, and metaphors in the Bible.

Remember, your child interviews are due on Tuesday [Nov. 5]  Don't forget to include a page of your observations on the responses of your subject.

Thursday, Nov. 14:    Genesis:  1-3, ADAM AND EVE
Complete all readings in the section "The Creation of Woman"

Make a list of the questions you would like to ask:
Adam, Eve, God, the snake.

Tuesday, Nov. 19:   Look over the questions from the class about the Adam and Eve story and think about how you would respond.  Click here

Read the article by Tamar Frankiel on traditional Judaism.

Thursday, Nov. 21:  Jesus and Women
read: Swidler, "Jesus was a Feminist"
and stories listed under "Jesus' Relationship with Women"

Tuesday, Nov. 26:   come early at 12:45pm for pizza and see Professor Charmé's film on gender and Jewish teenagers.
For class, article by Parvey on Paul and selections from the New Testament

Tuesday, December 3:   Women in Islam

Thursday, December 5:   CLASS CANCELLED DUE TO SNOW

Tuesday, December 10:
Women in the Clergy
Contemporary Feminist Theology;
Course wrap-up;

Please make sure you have these three things ready to turn in:

1.  BOOK REVIEW

2.  3RD RESPONSE ESSAY--Your final essay should draw material from at least two different religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam) and respond to this question.   Based on what you have learned this semester, just how serious a problem do you think sexism is for religion?   What do you regard as the primary benefit, if any, of studying religion from a gender-focused perspective?  Your essay should make specific references to course readings.   You may focus on any specific issues or perspectives you prefer that will help you respond to these questions.

3.  SELF-EVALUATION-- Use the form provided and don't forget to write a paragraph justifying the grade you assigned yourself.