Maricopa Community Colleges  REL290   19986-99999 

Official Course Description: MCCCD Approval: 3-24-1998

REL290  1998 Fall – 2004 Fall

LEC  3.0 Credit(s)  3.0 Period(s)  3.0 Load  Acad

Women and Religion

The role of women in several organized religions and/or religious sects, including a study of myth and symbols as they are used to establish, maintain, and enforce sex-roles within specific religions.

Prerequisites: None.

Cross-References: WST290

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MCCCD Official Course Competencies:

 

REL290  1998 Fall – 2004 Fall

Women and Religion

 

1.

Distinguish the characteristics of goddesses versus gods in selected prehistoric societies. (I)

2.

Describe characteristics of goddess cults cross-culturally. (I)

3.

Analyze the socio-political shifts that occurred with the establishment of male-centered religions. (I)

4.

Compare and contrast the symbols related to male and female deities. (I)

5.

Assess the roles of goddesses in myths cross-culturally. (I)

6.

Compare and contrast women's roles in society with their place in religious literature and art in the traditions of the Western world religions. (II)

7.

Compare and contrast women's roles in society with their place in the religious art and literature of selected Eastern religious traditions. (III)

8.

Compare and contrast women's roles in selected non- industrialized societies with their place in the religious belief systems. (IV)

9.

Describe the characteristics of selected contemporary women- centered religious traditions. (V)

10.

Assess the significance of selected contemporary women- centered religious traditions with those of male- centered religious traditions. (V)

11.

Critique selected contemporary feminist religious movements. (VI)

12.

Compare and contrast women-centered religious movements with traditional religions. (II, III, V, VI)

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MCCCD Official Course Outline:

 

REL290  1998 Fall – 2004 Fall

Women and Religion

 

I. Female and the Feminine in Prehistory and Early Historic Periods

A. Early goddess cultures

B. Shift from female to male deities

C. Myths and symbols relating to gender

II. Women in the Western World Religions

A. The roles of women in Judaism, Islam, and Christianity

B. Myths and symbols relating to women's roles in Judaism, Islam, and Christianity

III. Women in Eastern Religions

A. The roles of women in selected Eastern religions

B. Myths and symbols relating to women's roles in selected Eastern religions

IV. Women in the Belief Systems of Non-industrialized Societies

A. Roles of women in religions of non-industrialized societies

B. Myths and symbols relating to women's roles

V. Contemporary Women-Centered Religious Belief Systems

A. Spiritualism

B. Voodoo

C. Others

VI. Contemporary Feminist Religious Movements

A. New age

B. Wicca

C. Druids

D. Neopagans

E. Ecofeminism

F. Others

 

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