GSFS 237 - Gender and Sexuality in Indian Religions

FC ARHU CD

4 credits
From the erotic asceticism of the god S?iva to the auspicious power of a married woman, the nexus of gender and sexuality has broadly shaped the practices and philosophies of South Asias many religious traditions. The central questions guiding this course are: How do Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam incorporate sexual practice and/or restraint into a vision of ethical life? When does ones gender become dangerous or unethical? In pursuing these questions, students will gain a deep familiarity with South Asian asceticism, the place of erotics within religious discourse, new perspectives on queer and transgender theories, emic feminisms, and sexual ethics.
This course is cross-listed with RELG 237