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Women in Buddhist Literature
RELI350 FA

Crosslistings: WMST264,EAST350

This seminar will seek to investigate the complex, and changing, status of women in relationship to Buddhist doctrine and practice. Using Buddhist texts that present traditional monks' views of women and a variety of other materials that reveal aspects of the lives of real Buddhist women in ancient and modern times, we shall attempt to draw a picture of women's place within the Buddhist fold over time. In short, we shall try to fashion a social history of Buddhism--as this relates to woman and to the larger issue of sexuality and the spiritual quest.

MAJOR READINGS

R. Gross, BUDDHISM AFTER PATRIARCHY
A. Klein, THE GREAT BLISS QUEEN
D. Paul, WOMEN IN BUDDHISM
Tarthang Tulku (tr.), MOTHER OF KNOWLEDGE
R. Thurman, THE HOLY TEACHING OF VIMALAKIRTI
K. Tsomo, SAKYADHITA
K. Tsomo, BUDDHISM THROUGH AMERICAN WOMEN'S EYES
Janice D. Willis (ed.), FEMININE GROUND

EXAMINATIONS AND ASSIGNMENTS

1. Reading of all class materials. 2. Participation in class discussions. 3. A short essay. 4. A take-home WRITTEN MID-TERM EXAMINATION (5-8 pages). 5. A FINAL PAPER treating in-depth a specific topic covered by the course (or a topic of particular interest germane to the course) after consultation and approval (15 pages).

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS and/or COMMENTS

Religion 242 required. Preference to East Asian Studies, Religion and Women's Studies Majors.

Unless preregistered students attend the first class meeting or communicate directly with the instructor prior to the first class, they will be dropped from the class list. NOTE: Students must still submit a completed Drop/Add form to the Registrar's Office.

COURSE FORMAT: Lecture/Discussion

REGISTRATION INFORMATION

Level: UGRD    Credit: 1    Gen Ed Area Dept: SBS RELI    Grading Mode: Graded   

Prerequisites: RELI242

SECTION 01

Instructor(s): Willis,Janice D.   
Times: ..T.... 01:10PM-04:00PM;     Location: RSCSEM
Reserved Seats:    (Total Limit: 20)
SR. major: 3   Jr. major: 2
SR. non-major: 5   Jr. non-major: 5   SO: 5   FR: X

Special Attributes:
Curricular Renewal:    Ethical Reasoning, Writing

Last Updated on MAR-24-2000


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