Description
Since the 1960s, feminist critical theory has challenged dominant
narratives of Western history. This course explores feminist studies of
early Christianity (ca. 100-700) as one historical arena that continues
to be transformed by new theoretical modes: from recovery/"Herstory" to
queer theory, feminist histories illuminate our ancient pasts and our
modern desires.
This course assumes no prior knowledge of feminism, historical studies, or early Christianity.
Requirements
All written work should be turned in to Sakai via the Dropbox. All written work will be returned via DropBox.
1. Participation: 20%. This
course is a seminar and requires full and active participation from all
students. Repeated tardiness, missed classes, or lack of preparation or
participation will result in a lowered grade. Readings may seem heavy
because we meet only once a week: pace yourself, don't wait until the
night before, and bring texts to class with you for discussion.
2. Leading class: 10%. Each
student will be responsible for leading part of a class (on some days,
more than one student will be responsible; students may choose to lead
class in teams). During the student-led portion of the class, the
student leader must:
a) introduce and explain a modern reading with special attention to its theoretical focus and relevance to the day's topic;
b) guide the class through a close reading of part or all of a primary source informed by this modern reading
Class leaders are strongly encouraged to meet with the professor for guidance before leading class.
3. Short Written Responses: 10%
each X 3 (=30% total). There will be opportunities to turn in short
written responses to specific prompts during each week of class;
students must turn in at least three of these responses for credit.
Written responses may be edited and turned in for regrading; all
responses in their final form are due by the last day of class. Written
response topics may be found on the course website on the Syllabus and
Written Assignments pages.
4. Book/Article Review: 10%. Due on March 9
by 5pm, students will write a 750-1000 review of a book or article from
an approved list on the course website. In your review you should
answer the following questions: 1) what is the book's or article's main
argument? 2) what ancient sources and modern theories does it employ?
3) is the overall argument persuasive (to whom)?
5. Final Paper/Project: 30%. Due on May 12
by 5pm, students will turn in a final paper project. Students may
choose from among the following types of final paper/project, and must
meet with the professor early in the semester to begin choosing a final
paper/project topic:
a) Analytic book review
b) Primary text analysis
c) Thematic research project
d) Intellectual biography
Details of these project types may be found on the Assignments page.
Student accommodations:
Students requiring academic accommodations should contact the
appropriate person in their Dean of Students office in order to
formalize accommodations (be ready to discuss appropriate
accommodations and provide necessary documentation). Accommodations may
not be provided for students who have not registered through their Dean
of Students Office.
College accommodations coordinators are:
Scripps - Sonia De La Torre-Iniguez, sdelator@scrippscollege.edu
CMC - Julia Easley, julia.easley@claremontmckenna.edu
Pitzer- Jill Hawthorne, Jill_Hawthorne@pitzer.edu
Pomona - Jan Collins-Eaglin, Jan.Collins-Eaglin@pomona.edu
Harvey Mudd – Dean Q, deanq@hmc.edu
Scripps College’s policy on academic honesty:
“Cheating and/or plagiarism seriously violate the principles of
academic integrity that Scripps College expects its students to uphold.
Academic dishonesty is not tolerated at Scripps and may result in
suspension or expulsion from the College. (See the current Guide to
Student Life, pp. 90-93.)”
Materials
Most readings are available on Sakai or online but the following books have been ordered:
Elizabeth A. Clark, Women in the Early Church (Michael Glazier, 1983)
Patricia Cox Miller, Women in Early Christianity: Translations from Greek Texts (Catholic University, 2005)
Benedicta Ward, Harlots of the Desert (Cistercian Studies, 1987)
Virginia Burrus, The Sex Lives of Saints (Penn, 2004)
All other texts listed in the syllabus below are available online,
either through Sakai or freely available on the internet. Links to all
online readings are available through the course website.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course students will be able to:
1. Demonstrate familiarity with multiple feminist critical frameworks
2. Analyze primary sources from multiple critical perspectives
3. Engage in debates over history, historiography, and shifting historical paradigms
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