SOCI 130 Women and Religion
Religion has an essential effect on the development of any society since it impacts religious norms and models of behavior, establishes priorities and values, influences gender relations, predetermines roles, and influences the establishment of certain traditions, laws, and customs. This course focuses on the role of women in five of the world's major religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity and Islam. It examines the traditional theological principles and the practical laws that have directly impacted women and women's lives within these religious traditions. Specifically, this course will explore how women from different parts of the world have been treated as members of various religious groups, how women have practiced religion, and how their beliefs and life experience have differed from those of men.