Religion 318

	Religion 318 Women, Religion, and Literature Dr. Shawn Carruth, OSB carruth@gloria.cord.edu Office: Academy 203 Phone: (218) 299-3422 Fall Semester 2000 Section 7835 BW 244 T/H 12:50-2:30 p.m. Office hours: T/H 10:30-11:30 a.m., W 3-4p.m., by appointment Course Description: This course will explore the image, self-understanding and status of women in Western Christianity. The methodology used to understand aspects of women’s reality in Christianity will also be applied to selected literature by and about women to gain further understanding of women’s experience and thought. Course Objectives: 1. To increase in an understanding of the primary issues in the feminist study of Christian theology and of women’s religious experience. 2. To increase in an understanding of the principles of feminist methodology in the study of religion and of literature. 3. To increase in appreciation of the differences in the experiences and issues of feminists of different cultural and economic backgrounds. 4. To gain skill in testing the adequacy of feminist approaches to religion and literature. Required Texts: Brock, Rita N.; Camp, Claudia; Jones, Serena. Setting the Table: Women in Theological Conversation. King, Ursula Feminist Theology from the Third World: A Reader Cameron, Anne Daughters of Copper Woman Diamant, Anita. The Red Tent Walker, Alice In Love and Trouble Course participants will also need a Bible Course Requirements: 1. Preparation of assigned readings 2. Participation in class discussions 3. Two 5-6 page interpretive papers due October 5 and November 7 4. An 8-10 page research paper. 5. A take home final. Course Evaluation: Attendance and Participation 25% Interpretive Papers 25% (12.5 % each) Research Paper 25% Take home final 25% Academic Integrity Statement: Students are expected to be guided by the highest expressions of academic integrity in completing course requirements. These expectations are set forth in Academic Integrity at Concordia College. Students who show disregard for academic integrity and are detected should expect to be penalized by receiving a failing grade (in such cases make-up is not possible). Each violation of academic integrity will be reported to the Academic Dean’s Office and the offender will be placed on probationary status for one year. Violations of academic integrity include cheating, plagiarism, falsification, facilitating other’s violations and impeding. These violations are fully defined in Academic Integrity at Concordia College pp. 11-13 and should be carefully studied. These definitions were developed in a North American context. Other cultures define forms of academic dishonesty differently. International students studying at Concordia, however, are expected to be guided by North American norms of academic integrity. Any student who is unclear about the application of these norms in the completion of a particular assignment should consult the instructor Topics and Reading Assignments: Aug. 31 Introduction Sept. 5 ST pp. 3-21 Genesis 34 Susanne Scholz “Was it Really Rape in Genesis 34?” (handout) Sept. 7 ST pp. 33-60 Sept. 12 Red Tent pp. 1-71 FTTW pp. 183-188 Sept. 14 Red Tent pp. 75-125 FTTW pp. 220-229 Sept. 19 Red Tent pp. 127-210 Attend the FRWA session “Ceremony Medicine” and either or both of Concurrent Sessions: “Grace & Glorie”, “Christianity Is an Eastern Religion” Sept. 21 Red Tent pp. 213-256 FTTW pp. 230-235 Sept. 26 Red Tent pp. 257-321 Sept. 28 ST pp. 61-74 & the biblical texts referred to in the article Oct. 3 ST pp. 74-81 & the biblical texts referred to in the article Oct. 5 Cameron pp. 11-58 Interpretive Paper on The Red Tent due Oct. 10 ST pp. 85-94 FTTW pp. 47-59, 60-62 Oct. 12 ST pp. 95-105 Cameron 60-92 Oct. 17 ST pp. 107-131 FTTW pp. 251-258 Preliminary matter for the research paper due Oct. 24 FTTW 105-112, 261-268 Walker pp. 81-87, 113-118 Oct. 26 ST pp. 133-153 FTTW pp. 23-34 Oct. 31 ST pp. 155-174 FTTW pp. 150-167, 283-298 Nov. 2 Cameron 94-150 Nov. 7 FTTW pp. 77-86, 88-102 Interpretive paper on Cameron due Nov. 9 ST pp. 177-184 Walker pp. 60-80 Nov. 14 ST pp. 185-204 Walker pp. 47-59, 88-98 Nov. 16 ST pp. 205-218 Walker pp. 3-9 Nov. 21 Class will not meet Nov. 28 ST pp. 219-232 Walker pp. 10-23 Nov. 30 ST pp. 233-248 FTTW pp. 236-242, 351-360 Dec. 5 ST pp. 249-268 FTTW 361-376, 378-389 Research paper due Dec. 7 Reports on research papers Dec. 12 Reports on research papers Dec. 15 Take home final due by 1 p.m. Attendance and Participation This is not a lecture course. The major component of each class period will be class discussion. Thus each member of the class shares in the responsibility for making this course an experience in which thinking is stimulated and people truly learn from one another. Careful preparation of the reading assignments and active engagement in classroom discussion are critical elements of the class. It goes without saying that attendance at each class period is indispensable. Interpretive Papers Two interpretive papers—one on The Red Tent due October 5 and one on Daughters of Copper Woman, due November 7—are required. In these papers some literary aspect of the texts will be explored as a means of reflecting on some aspect of the religious spiritual lives of women. Research Paper Choose a topic or issue related to the feminist study of religion. This might range from research on Elizabeth Cady Stanton’s Woman’s Bible to a study of a woman or group of women important in women’s religious history, to a theological topic studied from a feminist perspective, to a study of women in various religions of the world. Preliminary matter for the paper is due October 17. This preliminary matter must include a brief thesis/topic statement, an overview of the approach to the topic, and a preliminary bibliography (yes, bibliography—web sites, even videos, may be included, but there must also be books and articles listed) of no fewer than seven items. The last two sessions of the class will be given to reports of research. That means each student would have from 10-12 minutes for this presentation. The grade for the paper will take into account the preliminary material, the presentation, and the paper itself. The paper is due December 5. Take Home Final The question for the take home final will be distributed in class on December 7. The question will focus on the integration character of the class and will in some way ask you to reflect on theological topics in the light of the literature read in the class.
	Websites for Religion 318 Women’s Movements First Wave (includes a link to The Woman’s Bible) Women’s Suffrage and the Church Sojourner Truth, “Ain’t I a Woman?” The Woman’s Bible On The Woman’s Bible More on The Woman’s Bible Comments on Genesis by Elizabeth Cady Stanton The Woman’s Bible, the text PBS: Not For Ourselves Alone: The Story of Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony Women of the Bible Mary Magdalene Magdalene images Women of the Bible Bible and Women’s History Women and the Church Links to a number of sites on Women and Christianity Summary of Woman, Church and State: A Historical Account of the Status of Woman Through the Christian Ages with Reminiscences of the Matriarchate by Matilda Joslyn Gage, 1893 Women’s History Women’s History Sourcebook Diotima: Women and Gender in the Ancient World Women in World History Medieval Women Links to material about medieval women Hildegard of Bingen, Joan of Arc, Julian of Norwich The Beguines




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