Lecture, four hours. Investigation and consideration of roles, status, and representations of women and gender in one or more religious traditions. Examination of how cultural conceptions of gender as well as social realities (as far as they can be known) for women and men in particular historical periods shape and are shaped by these religious traditions, including discussions regarding ritual practices, spirituality, sexuality, sexual renunciation, religious authority, marriage and family life, fertility, conceptions of body, public life, and/or literary representations of gender (including those of divine). Variety of approaches to be employed, including feminist, literary, historical, sociological, and anthropological. P/NP or letter grading.